How to play Forty Thieves

Two decks, ten columns, one card at a time. A real challenge.

The goal

Move all 104 cards onto the eight foundations, each one suit from Ace up to King. Two decks, few spaces and no redeals make it a real challenge.

The layout

Two decks are shuffled together. Forty cards are dealt face up into ten columns of four.
Top left is the stock (the other 64 cards) and beside it the waste.
To the right are the eight foundations, marked “A”. Each builds up in one suit from Ace to King. Every suit gets two.

Moving cards

In the columns, build down in the same suit: a 6♥ can go on a 7♥, but not on a 7♦.
Any card can go into an empty column.
Only the top card of each column can move.
Cards on a foundation stay there.

The stock

Tap the stock to turn one card onto the waste.
The top waste card can go to a column or a foundation.
There are no redeals: once the stock runs out, it’s gone.

Modes

Classic: one card at a time, the traditional rules.
Relaxed: you can also move a run of same-suit cards together, as long as there are enough empty columns to have moved it card by card. One empty column moves 2 cards, two move 4, three move 8. Moving into an empty column doesn’t count that column.
Choose from New game. Your choice is remembered, and records are kept separately for each mode.

Controls

Drag a card to move it.
Double-tap a card to send it to the best spot: a foundation first, then a column.
On a keyboard: 1–9 and 0 play a column’s top card, W plays the waste card, Space draws, U undoes.
Cards nothing else could need go up to the foundations automatically.
Undo takes back your last move or draw, with any automatic plays that followed it.

Tips

Empty columns are precious. Try to clear one early and don’t fill it without a plan.
Look before you draw: a card from the stock can only go to a column top or a foundation.

Questions

How do you win Forty Thieves?

Move all 104 cards onto the eight foundations, each one suit from Ace up to King. Two decks, few spaces and no redeals make it a real challenge.

Is Forty Thieves free to play?

Yes. Forty Thieves on Everyday Games is free and plays in your web browser on phones, tablets and computers, with nothing to download.

Do I need an account to play?

No. You can play without signing in, and your stats and games in progress are saved in your browser. Sign in with Google or Apple to keep them in your account and pick up where you left off on any device.

What modes does Forty Thieves have?

You can play Classic or Relaxed. Your record (games played, wins and best results) is kept separately for each.

Strategy guides

How to play Forty Thieves Solitaire