Play Forty Thieves Solitaire Online for Free
Play unlimited games of Forty Thieves Solitaire online for free. No download or email registration required – play in full screen mode on desktop, tablet, or mobile. Try one of the most challenging two-deck card games in the world and clear the board!
What is Forty Thieves Solitaire?
Forty Thieves Solitaire (also known as Napoleon at St. Helena or Roosevelt at San Juan) is one of the most famous, challenging, and intellectually demanding two-deck solitaire games in the world. As the grandfather of many beloved variations like Josephine and Thieves of Egypt, it is renowned for its low win rate and strict card-movement rules. Unlike regular patience games, playing Forty Thieves Solitaire online for free requires intense forward planning, sharp logical thinking, and flawless execution. It is the ultimate free solitaire game for seasoned players seeking a true test of their skill directly in their browser.
Pro Tip: Keyboard Shortcuts
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How to Play Forty Thieves Solitaire
Forty Thieves is played with two standard 52-card decks, making a total of 104 cards. The main objective is to build eight foundation piles, starting with Aces and building up in ascending order to Kings, sorted strictly by suit.
Understanding the Playing Area
The board layout of Forty Thieves Solitaire features 40 cards dealt face-up across 10 columns. As shown in the layout screenshot, the remaining 64 reserve cards form the stock pile on the top-left, while the eight foundations start completely empty in the top-right corner.
To conquer this complex layout, you must manage three distinct zones of the board:
- The Tableau (The Forty Thieves): The center of the board consists of 10 columns. At the start, exactly 40 cards are dealt face-up (4 cards per column). All cards in the tableau are fully visible, allowing you to plan your strategy.
- The Stock Pile & Waste: Located in the top-left corner, the remaining 64 cards form the stock pile. You can deal cards one by one from the stock to the waste pile. Only the top card of the waste pile is available for play. There are no redeals!
- The Foundations: The eight empty target spaces in the top-right corner. This is where you assemble your cards by suit (two piles per suit: Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, Spades) from Ace to King.
Tableau Building & The Single-Card Restriction
Moving cards in Forty Thieves is highly restrictive. As shown in the move illustration, cards in the tableau columns must be stacked in descending order and must match the exact same suit. Additionally, you are strictly limited to moving one single card at a time.
Building sequences in Forty Thieves is highly restrictive compared to other solitaire card games:
- Same-Suit Descending Order: In the tableau columns, you can only place a card on top of another card if it is exactly one rank lower and of the exact same suit (for example, a 9 of Spades can only be placed on a 10 of Spades).
- One Card at a Time: The defining rule of Forty Thieves is that you can only move one single card at a time. Even if you have a perfectly sequenced stack (e.g. 7, 6, 5 of Clubs), you cannot drag them as a group. You must move them individually.
- Empty Columns: You can place any single card into an empty tableau column. These spaces are vital for maneuvering cards.
Moving Cards to Foundations
Building foundations requires moving cards in ascending sequence. As shown in the foundation move illustration, once an Ace is cleared, you can start building the matching suit up to King. Click the stock pile to deal new cards to the waste pile one by one.
- Starting Piles: Every foundation pile must start with an Ace. Once an Ace is placed in the top-right slots, you can build up the sequence (Ace, 2, 3… King) in the same suit.
- Stock Management: You deal one card at a time from the stock. Since you only get one pass through the deck, you must be extremely selective about when to draw and when to play from the waste pile.
Forty Thieves Solitaire vs. Classic Klondike Solitaire
| Feature | Forty Thieves Solitaire | Classic Klondike Solitaire |
|---|---|---|
| Deck Count | 2 standard 104-card decks | 1 standard 52-card deck |
| Initial Tableau Layout | 40 cards dealt face-up into 10 columns (4 per column) | 28 cards dealt into 7 columns (only top card face-up) |
| Foundation Piles | 8 piles (two per suit) | 4 piles (one per suit) |
| Building Rules | Descending order of the exact same suit | Alternating colors in descending order |
| Card Movement | One single card at a time | Sequenced groups of alternating colors |
| Empty Column Rules | Any single card can fill an empty column | Only Kings can fill empty columns |
| Redeals Allowed | No (single pass through stock pile) | Varies (1 or 3 card draw, often unlimited re-deals) |
| Estimated Win Rate | ~10% (Very difficult, requires high skill) | ~80% mathematically solvable (~35% human win rate) |
Want to win more often?
Learn the secret strategies that top players use to beat Klondike Solitaire. From exposing hidden cards to smart stock management, we have you covered.
Learn Winning StrategiesWinning Strategies for Forty Thieves Solitaire
Forty Thieves is notoriously difficult, with a win rate of around 10% under standard rules. To increase your chances, follow these expert guidelines:
- Fiercely Guard Empty Columns: Because you can only move one card at a time, empty columns act as temporary holding spaces. If you have no empty columns, you can only move single cards. One empty column lets you transfer a sequence of 2 cards; two empty columns allow sequence transfers of 3 cards, and so on. Never fill your last empty column unless it is absolutely necessary.
- Build Foundations Evenly: With two decks, you have two of every card. Try to build the suits up in parallel. Rushing one pile to King while leaving its twin empty can easily trap lower cards in the tableau.
- Prioritize Tableau Moves: Always look for moves within the tableau columns before drawing from the stock pile. Drawing cards increases the size of the waste pile and can bury cards you need later.
- Plan Around Waste Cards: If you see an Ace at the top of the stock, plan how to clear the tableau to receive it immediately. Do not let key cards get buried in the waste pile.
Features of Our Free Forty Thieves Solitaire
Enjoy a state-of-the-art playing experience with our unblocked web application:
- No Downloads & 100% Free: Play immediately in your desktop, tablet, or mobile browser without registration.
- Tactile Mechanics: Responsive drag-and-drop controls, card shadows, and animations optimized for Core Web Vitals.
- Smart Undo & Hints: Retrace your steps to try a different strategy, or use our smart hints tool to locate hidden legal moves.