Skip to content
SHOUJIKON

RULES & PRACTICE

How to Play Forty Thieves Solitaire

Play Forty Thieves Solitaire ↗

Game guide · SHOUJIKON

Forty Thieves Solitaire: instructions and practice

Work at your own pace. Build eight suit foundations from ace to king. Select cards directly on the tableau and work through a full solo deal. Check the relevant controls before continuing. A clear plan starts with the current position. Move one card at a time; build down in the same suit. Empty columns accept one card. Take the next action only when the current step is clear.

Two decks, ten columns, single-pass stock, no recycle. Free solo play, no wagering.

Take a closer look while playing

A clear plan starts with the current position. Select a face-up card and then the destination pile or Empty slot. Take the next action only when the current step is clear.

The objective of a round

Build eight suit foundations from ace to king. Use another round to revisit a decision. Look at the complete hand before deciding.

How to proceed

  1. Move one card at a time; build down in the same suit. Empty columns accept one card.
  2. Select a face-up card and then the destination pile or Empty slot.
  3. Move exposed cards onto suit foundations in the stated rank order.
  4. Undo reverses a choice. New deal shuffles again.

How your actions work

Click or tap cards and piles. Wide tableaus scroll inside the game; use Undo, Hint and New deal where shown. Use another round to revisit a decision. For a calm first round, focus on one decision.

One way to understand the rules

A club 5 can move onto a club 6, but a whole run cannot move together. Check the relevant controls before continuing.

Watch out for this

Begin with the objective. Random deals are not guaranteed solvable. A hint is a legal move, not a winning strategy. Use another round to revisit a decision.

Questions that come up during play

What is the aim?

Build eight suit foundations from ace to king. Use the rule sheet as a reference. Take the next action only when the current step is clear.

How do I use the controls?

Click or tap cards and piles. Wide tableaus scroll inside the game; use Undo, Hint and New deal where shown. Look at the complete hand before deciding. The same rule applies on a phone and on a computer.

Which format is available?

Two decks, ten columns, single-pass stock, no recycle. Free solo play, no wagering. Before making a move, check the cards in view. Use another round to revisit a decision.

What should I check before a move?

Random deals are not guaranteed solvable. A hint is a legal move, not a winning strategy. Treat this as a chance to practise one rule. The same rule applies on a phone and on a computer.

Can you give an example?

A club 5 can move onto a club 6, but a whole run cannot move together. Take a moment to read the table. The same rule applies on a phone and on a computer.

What completes a round?

Build eight suit foundations from ace to king. Before making a move, check the cards in view. The same rule applies on a phone and on a computer.

Which controls should I use?

Click or tap cards and piles. Wide tableaus scroll inside the game; use Undo, Hint and New deal where shown. Take a moment to read the table. Take the next action only when the current step is clear.

Which version is played here?

Two decks, ten columns, single-pass stock, no recycle. Free solo play, no wagering. Use the rule sheet as a reference. The same rule applies on a phone and on a computer.

Does play involve an account or cash?

No. Play is free, without registration, deposits, bets or cash prizes. Keep the active rule in mind. Return to the explanation when a decision is unclear.

What completes a round?

Build eight suit foundations from ace to king. Treat this as a chance to practise one rule. Return to the explanation when a decision is unclear.

Choose a Card Game (opens in a new tab)