How to Play Forty Thieves
Forty Thieves is a quiet, thoughtful patience game that's great when you want a solo challenge. If you like slow planning and filling foundations, you'll enjoy this one — and you can find more guides at Playmore.
| Quick facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Game name | Forty Thieves |
| Family | British patience (solitaire) |
| Typical players | 1 |
| Deck | Two standard 52-card French-suited decks (combined) |
| Setup time | 2–5 minutes (version dependent) |
| Play time | 10–30 minutes (varies by deal and rule set) |
What you are trying to do
Your main job is to build eight foundations, one for each suit from the two decks. Each foundation starts at an Ace and is built upward in rank in the same suit. To get those cards out, you work the tableau: ten columns of cards where you move only one card at a time and try to free the needed Aces and low cards.
What you need and how to set up
You need two full, standard 52-card decks shuffled together (104 cards). Exact dealing can vary by version, so check the authoritative rules your group prefers for the precise deal. A common beginner setup creates ten tableau columns. Leave any remaining cards in a stock or keep them face down if your chosen rules use a stock and waste.
How to play
- Look for Aces and place any free Ace to start an empty foundation pile of its suit. Foundations are built up by suit from Ace toward King.
- On the tableau, only move one card at a time. If a top card can go to a foundation, you may play it there immediately.
- If a top card cannot go to a foundation, you may move it to another tableau column following your chosen building rule. Many versions require building down in the same suit on the tableau; some groups use other builds. Check your rules before you play.
- If your rule set includes a stock, draw from it when you have no useful tableau moves. Use drawn cards to build foundations or to place on the tableau when legal.
- Expose and free buried cards by moving top cards off a column when possible. Always think one or two moves ahead: freeing an Ace early is often a big step toward winning.
- Repeat: move cards to foundations when possible, move single cards around the tableau to reveal useful cards, and use the stock if your version has one.
How a round or game ends
A round ends when you either build all eight foundations up to Kings (a win) or when no legal moves remain and the stock (if used) is exhausted. Exact victory conditions and whether redeals are allowed depend on your chosen rule variant, so check the official or regional rules for the version you want to play.
Beginner tips
- Try to free Aces and low cards first. They open the foundations and make many cards playable.
- Move single cards only when the move helps reveal buried cards or creates a clear path to the foundation.
- Avoid filling empty tableau columns with useless cards. Empty columns are powerful because they give you space to maneuver.
- Be patient. Forty Thieves rewards careful planning more than speed.
- If you want an easier game, play a version that allows moving built sequences or permits redeals — but agree on that before you start.
FAQ
Can I move stacks of cards in the tableau?
Classic Forty Thieves generally lets you move only one card at a time. Some house variants allow moving sequences. Decide which rule you use before starting.
Do I build tableau piles by suit or by alternating colors?
Many versions require building down by the same suit on the tableau. Other versions change that rule. Check your chosen rules because this detail is version-dependent.
I want an easier or harder game—what changes help?
Allowing sequence moves or permitting redeals makes the game easier. Requiring strict suit-only builds with no redeals makes it harder. Pick a variant that matches how relaxed or challenging you want the game to be.