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What is the Forty Thieves game?
Forty Thieves Solitaire is an old solitaire card game whose popularity has been experiencing a new surge thanks to the internet, as online versions removed the hassle of having to set up the tableau at each new game.
Although the game has kept its gameplay and rules from its beginning, it has been known by different names throughout the years. Avid solitaire players might also know it simply as 40 Thieves, Big Forty, Roosevelt at San Juan, or Le Cadran.
Interestingly, the most used alternative name is Napoleon at St Helena, following a story that Napoleon used to play this solitaire game quite frequently when he was exiled in St Helena after losing the Waterloo battle. Even if there is no evidence to back up the story, it still goes to show that solitaire games are definitely a fun way to pass time.
Forty Thieves Solitaire rules and tableau
Forty Thieves Solitaire uses two standard 52-card decks. The goal in this card game is to build 8 foundations, one per suit, starting with the aces and ending with the kings.
At the beginning of the game, 40 cards are dealt face forward on the tableau to form 10 columns with 4 cards each. These are the 40 thieves set to prevent the players from winning. The remaining cards are grouped face down to form the stock pile.
In the traditional version of the game, the players can only go through the totality of the stockpile once. An easier version is also available, allowing infinite redeals.
How to play Forty Thieves Solitaire
To win the game the players must rearrange all the cards by suit and in ascending order (from ace to king) on the 8 foundations at the top of the tableau.
It is only possible to play cards that have no others on top of them. This means that the players need to move the cards between the columns to uncover the ones they need. A card can only be moved to top another one rank higher and of the same suit.
Unlike the majority of Solitaire games, in Forty Thieves it is only possible to move one card at a time. For example, if the players have an 8 of diamonds followed by a 7 of diamonds, only the 7 is moveable, not the partial sequence.
An empty slot on the tableau can be filled with any card. The players can use the stock to help them build the foundations or to create possible moves in the tableau. By default, the stock can be used in its totality only once. In the easy mode, it is available endlessly.
Tips to win at Forty Thieves Solitaire
Turn up the first card in the stock
If you are playing the standard version of this card game, then you can only go through the stock once which means you need to use it wisely.
That being said, you should always start the game by exposing the first card in the stock. This will not make a difference in terms of the availability of the stock, but can be important to reveal the best way to tackle the tableau.
Focus on the low-raking cards
You want to bring forward as many low-ranking cards as possible. The aces are the priority, but you should try to balance the columns as much as possible. There is no point in bringing forward an ace if it makes the remaining columns longer and with no structured sequence. You might get the ace only to find out that the deuces and 3 are buried down in the other columns, for example.
Ideally, you should start by devising a plan to bring low-ranking cards forward and, if possible, in sequential order. Even if you cannot get the ace, you will likely find the one you need in the stock. When it finally shows up, you will have your sequence ready to go and can get rid of several cards right away.
Empty piles are your friend
To beat the forty thieves, the best strategy is to breach their defenses and try to empty as many piles as possible. These slots are very important and useful because you can only move one card at a time in the tableau.
The more empty spaces you get, the easier it will be to shift the cards around to organize the columns into sequences or to clear the way to the cards you need.
Fill the slots with high-ranking cards
When you cannot keep an empty space any longer, try at least to fill it with high-ranking cards. They will be the last ones to go into the foundations, which makes them the hardest to shift around and get rid of.
By sending them to the bottom of the columns you can use them as the base to start building sequences on the tableau and avoid having them preventing you from getting to the cards you need in the meanwhile.
Forty Thieves Solitaire vs Classic Solitaire
Forty Thieves Solitaire and Classic Solitaire (usually referring to Klondike Solitaire) share the same general goal—moving cards into foundation piles by suit—but they differ significantly in structure, difficulty, and strategy.
Number of decks and layout
Classic Solitaire uses a single 52-card deck, while Forty Thieves uses two decks (104 cards). In Forty Thieves, all 40 cards in the tableau are dealt face up at the start, creating a fully visible but tightly packed layout. In contrast, Classic Solitaire starts with many face-down cards, adding an element of hidden information.
Difficulty level
Forty Thieves is considerably more difficult than Classic Solitaire. The stricter rules, larger deck, and limited movement options make it one of the hardest traditional solitaire variants, while Classic Solitaire is more forgiving and widely playable for beginners.
Card movement rules
In Classic Solitaire, players can often move sequences of cards and build alternating colors in the tableau. Forty Thieves is stricter: cards are typically moved one at a time and must follow suit-based building rules, which greatly limits flexibility.
Strategy and gameplay style
Classic Solitaire relies more on uncovering hidden cards and managing randomness, while Forty Thieves is heavily strategic from the start due to the full face-up layout. Success depends on careful planning, managing empty columns, and controlling the order of moves.
Overall experience
Classic Solitaire is more accessible and fast-paced, making it ideal for casual play. Forty Thieves, on the other hand, is designed for players who enjoy deep strategy, long-term planning, and a significantly higher level of challenge.
Variants of Forty Thieves Solitaire
Forty Thieves Solitaire has inspired many popular variations that adjust the difficulty, improve playability, or introduce new strategic twists while keeping the core two-deck, foundation-building structure intact. These variants are especially useful for players who enjoy the original game but want slightly different rules or win rates.
Josephine Solitaire
Josephine is one of the most famous variants of Forty Thieves. The key difference is that sequences of cards in the tableau can be moved as a group if they are in the correct descending order and the same suit. This small change significantly increases the win rate compared to the classic version.
Ali Baba Solitaire
Ali Baba is a more flexible version where players may also move sequences, and some rule sets allow easier access to hidden cards. It is generally considered more forgiving than standard Forty Thieves while still requiring careful planning.
Little Forty (or Simple Forty Thieves)
Little Forty simplifies the game to make it more accessible. It often includes relaxed rules for moving cards or reduced restrictions on tableau building, making it a good entry point for beginners who find the original too punishing.
Indian Solitaire
Indian Solitaire keeps the two-deck structure but changes tableau layout and movement rules, creating a different strategic flow. It tends to reward planning ahead but offers slightly more mobility than classic Forty Thieves.
Number Ten Solitaire
In Number Ten, the layout and dealing structure are adjusted to create a faster-paced version of the game. It maintains the same core objective but reduces some of the tight restrictions that make the original so difficult.
Thieves of Egypt
Thieves of Egypt is a modern variant that introduces more flexible tableau rules and sometimes allows more generous stock handling. It is designed to balance challenge and playability, making longer games feel less restrictive.
Why play different variants?
Forty Thieves is famously difficult, with a low natural win rate. Variants exist mainly to:
- increase win probability
- reduce frustration from early dead-ends
- offer faster or more dynamic gameplay
- provide new strategic challenges for experienced players
If you enjoy the core mechanics of Forty Thieves but want a more balanced or varied experience, these versions are a great way to explore the same game in a different way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Forty Thieves Solitaire?
Forty Thieves Solitaire is a classic two-deck card game known for its high difficulty. The goal is to build eight foundation piles by suit, from Ace to King, using the cards in the tableau and stock.
Why is it called Forty Thieves Solitaire?
The game is named after the 40 cards dealt face up at the start of the game, which form the tableau and create the main challenge.
Is Forty Thieves Solitaire difficult?
Yes. It is considered one of the hardest solitaire games, with a relatively low win rate even for experienced players.
How many decks are used in Forty Thieves Solitaire?
The game uses two standard 52-card decks, for a total of 104 cards.
How do you win Forty Thieves Solitaire?
You win by moving all cards onto the eight foundation piles, building each pile up in suit from Ace to King.
Can you move multiple cards at once?
No. In the classic version, only one card can be moved at a time, which increases the difficulty significantly.
Can empty tableau spaces be filled with any card?
Yes. Any single card can be placed into an empty column, making empty spaces very powerful strategically.
Do you get redeals in Forty Thieves Solitaire?
In the classic rules, there are no redeals. Some online versions may offer easier variants with redeals.
What is the best strategy for Forty Thieves Solitaire?
Focus on freeing low cards, creating empty columns, and planning several moves ahead before using the stock pile.
Should you always move cards to the foundation immediately?
Not always. Sometimes keeping cards in the tableau provides more flexibility and better future moves.
Is Forty Thieves harder than Klondike Solitaire?
Yes. It is significantly harder due to stricter rules and fewer movement options compared to Klondike.
Is Forty Thieves Solitaire also known as Napoleon at St Helena?
Yes. Napoleon at St Helena is a well-known alternative name for Forty Thieves Solitaire.
Are there different versions of Forty Thieves Solitaire?
Yes. Variants include Josephine, Ali Baba, Little Forty, and others with slightly different rules.
Can Forty Thieves Solitaire be solved every time?
No. Some deals are unsolvable, even with perfect strategy.
Is Forty Thieves Solitaire free to play online?
Yes. It can be played for free on Solitaire 365 directly in the browser.
