Playing forty thieves solitaire game requires building foundations up in suit from Ace to King, moving tableau cards, and utilizing a single reshuffle of the stock pile.
Have you ever wanted a challenging but engaging card game? Forty Thieves solitaire might be just the thing you are after. It uses two decks, and it can be tricky, but this guide explains exactly how to play forty thieves solitaire game with a simplified step-by-step instruction. It involves a lot of strategy and planning, unlike some other simple solitaire variations.
This variant is known for its difficulty, yet the satisfaction of finally completing a round is immensely rewarding. The gameplay involves building up the foundations. It also requires moving cards in columns of the tableau. Learning these moves and rules will improve your skills and make you a successful player.
How to Play Forty Thieves Solitaire Game
Let’s dive into the world of Forty Thieves, a classic solitaire card game that’s both challenging and rewarding. Unlike some simpler solitaire games, Forty Thieves requires strategy and planning. Don’t worry, though! We’ll break down everything you need to know so you can become a pro. Get ready to learn the rules, setup, and some sneaky tips to help you win more often. Let’s get started!
The Goal of Forty Thieves
The main goal of Forty Thieves is to move all the cards from the tableau to the foundation piles. Sounds simple, right? Well, there’s a bit more to it. You need to organize the cards into suits, building them in ascending order from Ace to King. Think of it as a card-sorting mission, but with a fun twist.
Setting Up the Game
Before you start playing, you need to set up the game properly. Here’s what you need to do:
The Deck
Forty Thieves uses two standard decks of 52 cards, making a total of 104 cards. Make sure both decks are shuffled together really well. This is important for a fair game.
The Tableau
The tableau is where most of the action takes place. It consists of 10 columns, each dealt four cards face up at the beginning of the game. This gives you a total of 40 cards in the tableau, hence the name “Forty Thieves.”
You will deal the tableau in the below mentioned manner:
- First, deal one card face up to the first column.
- Then, deal one card face up to the second column.
- Continue this process until you have given each of the ten columns one card.
- Repeat this process, placing the second card in each column.
- Then do it again for third and fourth cards.
The Foundations
The foundations are where you’ll build up your suits. There are eight foundation piles, and they start out empty. These will be built upward by suit from Ace to King.
The Stock
The remaining 64 cards form the stock pile. This is placed face down. It’s your supply of extra cards when you get stuck.
The Waste Pile
The waste pile is next to the stock pile. When you draw a card from the stock, it goes face up onto the waste pile. Only the top card on the waste pile is available for play.
How to Play
Now that you know how to set everything up, let’s get into the playing process.
Moving Cards
- Tableau to Foundations: You can move a card to a foundation pile if it is the next card in the same suit. For example, you can move a 5 of hearts onto a 4 of hearts.
- Tableau to Tableau: You can move a card onto a card in the tableau if it is of the same suit and one rank lower. For example, you can move a 6 of diamonds onto a 7 of diamonds. You can also move a stack of cards at the same time, if that whole stack follows the same suit and descending rank rule.
- Waste to Tableau: The card at the top of the waste pile can be moved to a tableau column according to the rules above.
- Waste to Foundations: The card at the top of the waste pile can be moved to a foundation if it follows the same suit and ascending rank rule.
Dealing from the Stock
When you are stuck, or when there is not any further move possible on tableau, you can draw a card from the stock. The card goes face up on the waste pile. Only the top card of the waste pile is available for moving.
Empty Columns
Empty tableau columns can be filled with any card from the waste pile or from the top of another tableau column.
Game Progression
The game progresses as you move cards from the tableau to the foundations. You will likely move cards back and forth between the tableau columns as well, to create new options and move cards that were buried in the stack. Your goal is to free the cards you need and get them to the foundations.
Strategies and Tips
Forty Thieves can be tricky, but there are a few strategies that can help you win.
Exposing Hidden Cards
Your first priority should be to try to move cards that are covering other cards in the tableau. The more cards you see, the more options you have. It is generally best to move cards from columns that have many hidden cards first.
Building Sequences
Try to make long sequences of cards in descending order within the tableau. This will help you move more cards at a time.
Foundation Priority
Move cards to the foundation as soon as you can. Don’t wait, because they are safe there and not blocking other cards. For example, as soon as you get your Aces, move them to the foundation.
Planning Ahead
Try to think a few moves ahead. Don’t just make the first move you see. Consider the effects of each move and plan how you are going to work on the other columns after making a particular move.
Waste Pile Awareness
Pay attention to the waste pile. Sometimes the right card to continue making moves will show up there. Try not to blindly draw cards from stock, consider when to draw the stock pile cards and move them when they are needed in tableau or foundations.
Don’t be afraid to use the stock
Do not hesitate to draw cards from the stock to the waste pile. Many games are won by using the waste pile and stock cards properly. Do not always wait to get the needed card from the waste pile. Sometimes using the waste pile for emptying a tableau pile can be very useful.
Be patient
Forty Thieves is not an easy game. Some games may be lost. But it’s okay. You can keep trying and getting better each time. Just remember not to get too frustrated!
Why Forty Thieves is Fun
Forty Thieves is a great game for a few reasons:
- Challenge: It’s not too simple, and it will require thinking and planning. This makes a win feel more rewarding.
- Strategy: It’s not just about luck. You will need to plan moves, making it more engaging.
- Relaxation: Playing solitaire is a good way to wind down, and it helps with thinking clearly.
- Accessibility: You can play it online, on your phone, or with a deck of cards.
Variations of Forty Thieves Solitaire
Like many card games, Forty Thieves has some variations. While the basic rules stay the same, some modifications add a new level of fun or difficulty.
Limited Redeals
In the standard version of Forty Thieves, you have unlimited passes through the stock pile. In this variation, players are only allowed one or two redeals, which adds a huge challenge. It requires careful consideration of which cards are most needed at which point of the game.
Apache
In this version, tableau piles can be built down by any suit rather than the same suit. This makes it easier to build sequences in the tableau, so the game generally will be easier to win. The move from tableau piles to foundations still remain same, i.e., cards are moved in same suit and ascending order.
Maria
The tableau in this variation is dealt 10 rows of four cards each. This is the same as in the Forty Thieves original, but the difference is that cards in tableau can be moved regardless of the suits, if the card has one rank lower than the card it is moved to. The foundations however are built by suit and in ascending order.
Josephine
Josephine is another variation of Forty Thieves, the differences from original version are, you only use one deck rather than two decks. In the tableau you have seven columns rather than ten columns. Each tableau column gets four cards at the start of the game. The foundation stacks are built from Ace to King in each suit, as in original game.
Forty and Eight
This version uses two decks of cards. Each of the eight tableau columns are dealt with 5 cards face up at the beginning of the game. The foundation stacks are built from Ace to King in each suit. Other rules are similar to Forty Thieves.
Forty Thieves is a game that can be played by everyone. The rules are not so difficult, but the game requires planning and strategy to win. With a bit of practice you will get the hang of it and start to win more games. So, get your deck of cards ready and start having fun with this timeless solitaire game. This is really enjoyable when you get into it. Remember the rules, think ahead, and have patience. Happy playing!
How to Play Forty Thieves | solitaire game with playthrough
Final Thoughts
To play Forty Thieves solitaire, you arrange cards into ten tableau columns. Build foundations up by suit from Ace to King. Move cards within tableau, but only single cards to a next card one rank higher and must be same suit.
You can move a single card from waste pile, and only one card, face-up. The aim is to move all cards to the foundations. This summarizes how to play forty thieves solitaire game. The game requires focus and strategy for success.
