Forty Thieves Solitaire

Ready to test your card skills and strategy? Forty Thieves Solitaire is one of the most challenging and popular patience games out there — and now it's more fun than ever! Whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned solitaire pro, this game will keep your brain buzzing and your fingers flipping.

To start playing, choose between two exciting difficulty levels: EASY or HARD.

Game Modes

EASY Mode: Ideal for casual players or anyone who wants to get the hang of the card game. Here, you can move a group of cards — as long as they're in the same suit and in descending order — as a single unit. For example, a group of K♥, Q♥, J♥, and 10♥ can all be moved together. Plus, if your stockpile runs out, you get a second chance to go through it again.

HARD Mode: Want the real deal? Want to be up in the ranks? In HARD mode, you follow the original guidelines of Forty Thieves: you can only move one card at a time, and once you've used up your stockpile, that's it — no do-overs. It's a true test of patience, planning, and card-handling skills.

No matter which mode, check out the Help section in the menu for a deep dive into the rules.

Rules of Play

Here's how Forty Thieves Solitaire works:

The game uses two full decks.

You'll see 10 columns, each with four cards face-up.

Your mission is to build eight foundation piles, one for each suit, starting from Ace and ascending to King.

In the tableau, you may only build downward in the same suit.

Only the top card can be moved — unless you're in EASY mode, where same-suit sequences can be moved together.

An empty column can only be filled with a King.

The remaining cards are in your stockpile; you draw one card at a time.

In EASY mode, the stockpile can be reshuffled and used again; in HARD mode, you only get one pass-through.

Every move should be made with thought — success does not depend just on luck!

Winning Strategies

Want to improve your score and actually win this challenging solitaire? Here are some smart tactics:

1. Focus on Foundations: Prioritize moving Aces as soon as possible. This opens up the tableau and gives you more options.
2. Clear Columns: Try to empty at least one column early in the game. An empty pile can be a significant advantage, allowing you to reposition Kings and organize your cards more effectively.
3. Use Same-Suit Sequences: Always build sequences in the same suit. Random stacks will only limit your movement later.
4. Think Before You Draw: Each stock draw is important, especially in HARD mode where you can only go through the deck once. Don't waste cards on moves that don't help your strategy.
5. Practice Makes Perfect: Try EASY mode to get comfortable with the game, the layout, and the rhythm of the play before tackling the HARD version.