About Forty Thieves Solitaire
How to Play Forty Thieves Solitaire
Build down in the columns by placing a card onto the next higher card of the same suit. For example, you can move the 7 of hearts onto the 8 of hearts. Only the top card of each column can move, and you can move just one card at a time.
You can place any available card into an empty column. This gives you more room to rearrange cards and uncover those underneath.
Tap the stock to turn one card face up onto the waste pile. The top waste card can be moved to a column or foundation if there is a legal place for it. You can go through the stock only once, with no redeal.
Build the eight foundations from Ace to King in the same suit. There are two foundations for each suit, and cards placed on a foundation cannot be moved back.
You win when all 104 cards have reached the foundations. If the stock is exhausted and no further cards can reach the foundations, the deal is over.
Good to know
Forty Thieves is difficult, so Winnable deals only is switched on by default. This means every deal has been checked by the game's solver and can be completed, although finding the winning moves is still up to you. You can switch this off in Settings or try the Daily deal, where everyone plays the same cards each UK day.
Forty Thieves Solitaire Strategy and Tips
Make the most of empty columns
An empty column gives you somewhere to move a card that might otherwise be stuck. It can help you uncover another card or rearrange part of the table. Try not to fill an empty space without considering what you might need it for next.
Get Aces and Twos onto the foundations
Aces start the foundations, and Twos are the next cards you need. Look for opportunities to move them home early, especially when they are blocking other cards. Remember that each suit has two foundations to build.
Check the table before turning the stock
You only get one pass through the stock, so don't rush to turn another card. Look at the available moves first and consider whether you can make space for the next waste card. Once another stock card is turned, the previous waste card is no longer available until the cards above it have been played.
Be careful what you cover
Building a same-suit sequence is useful, but a card placed on top can block access to the card underneath. Before moving, consider whether you might need that covered card soon. Long sequences can be particularly awkward because you cannot move them together.
Remember there are two of every card
With two decks in play, every card appears twice. If you need a particular card to continue a sequence, check whether its other copy is available. The position of each copy can make a difference to your next move.
Use Undo to try another approach
Unlimited Undo lets you go back through previous moves, including stock turns. If a sequence of moves leaves you stuck, return to an earlier position and try something different. It's a useful way to explore a deal without starting again.
Take a closer look at long columns
Press and hold a long column to see its cards fanned out. This makes it easier to check which cards are buried and plan how to uncover them. Look for cards that could help you build foundations or create an empty column.
Use hints when you're stuck
The Hint button suggests the best next move and explains why it helps. It doesn't look ahead at the hidden stock order, so it won't tell you which cards are coming next. You can also turn Coach on to see legal destinations while holding a card.
Forty Thieves Solitaire FAQs
How do you play Forty Thieves Solitaire?
Build cards down in suit across ten columns, moving one card at a time. Use the stock and available columns to help move all 104 cards onto eight foundations, built from Ace to King.
Can you move more than one card at a time?
No. You can only move the top card of a column, and only one card at a time. You cannot pick up and move an entire sequence.
Can every game of Forty Thieves be won?
No. Forty Thieves is difficult, and relatively few deals can be won. That's why Winnable deals only is enabled by default, giving you deals that the game's solver has successfully completed.
Can you go through the stock more than once?
No. You can turn each stock card only once, and there is no redeal. You can, however, use Undo to go back through previous stock turns.
What is the Daily deal in Forty Thieves?
The Daily deal gives everyone the same cards each UK day. It has its own streak tracking, and you can share your result as plain text.
Can you put any card in an empty column?
Yes. Any available card can be moved into an empty column, regardless of its suit or rank.
Can you replay the same Forty Thieves deal?
Yes. Every deal has a deal number, and Replay this deal lets you start the same arrangement again.