Play Forty Thieves Solitaire Online for Free

Forty Thieves is one of the most challenging two-deck solitaire games. Build 8 foundations from Ace to King by suit, moving only one card at a time through 10 tableau columns.

How to Play Forty Thieves Solitaire

The game uses two standard 52-card decks (104 cards total). Your goal is to move all cards to the 8 foundation piles, sorted by suit from Ace to King.

• Tableau (10 columns): Each column starts with 4 face-up cards. Only the top card of each column can be moved.
• Foundation (8 piles): Start with an Ace. Build up in the same suit (A → 2 → 3 → … → K). Two foundations per suit.
• Stock: 64 remaining cards face down. Click to deal one card to the waste pile. No recycling.
• Waste: The top card of the waste pile can be moved to a foundation or tableau column.

Valid Tableau Moves

• Tableau to tableau: Move one card to a column whose top card is the same suit and one rank higher (e.g., 9♠ onto 10♠).
• Tableau to foundation: Same suit, next rank up from the foundation top.
• Empty column: Any single card may be placed in an empty tableau column.
• No multi-card moves: Only one card at a time can be moved — there are no stack transfers.

Tips & Strategy

• Move Aces and low cards to foundations as soon as possible to free up space.
• Keep empty columns open — they are extremely valuable for maneuvering.
• Avoid burying Aces under tall columns; scan the stock carefully before drawing.
• Use the waste pile strategically; you cannot recycle the stock.
• Same-suit sequences in the tableau let you chain moves to foundations efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is Forty Thieves?

It is one of the hardest solitaire variants. The win rate for optimal play is around 5–8%. Skill and careful planning significantly improve your odds.

Can I move multiple cards at once?

No. Only one card at a time can be moved in Forty Thieves. This is what makes it so challenging compared to Klondike.

Is there a recycle for the stock?

No. Once the 64 stock cards are dealt, there is no second pass. Use them wisely.