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Forty Thieves Solitaire
Forty Thieves is a two-deck patience game named for the forty cards dealt to the tableau at the start. It's also called Napoleon at St Helena, from the legend that the exiled emperor played it. You build eight foundations from Ace to King in suit while juggling ten columns where only one card moves at a time — a demanding game where planning and empty columns decide almost everything.
Forty Thieves Solitaire Rules
Two 52-card decks are shuffled together. Ten columns of four face-up cards are dealt; the other 64 cards form the stock. Eight foundations start empty.
Build the columns down in the same suit — the 6♣ on the 7♣. Only the top card of a column can move. Any card can go into an empty column. As a convenience, this game moves a same-suit run in one go when you have enough empty columns to make the same move card by card.
Tap the stock to turn one card onto the waste pile; its top card can be played to a column or a foundation. There is only one pass through the stock. Build each foundation up in suit from Ace to King. You win when all 104 cards are home.
Forty Thieves Solitaire Strategy & Tips
Empty a column as early as you can
An empty column lets you shift cards around and doubles the length of run you can move. Early on, aim to clear the column that's closest to empty even if it means passing on other moves.
Play from the tableau before the stock
You only get one pass through the stock, so every card you turn must be used or it stays buried in the waste. Make all useful tableau moves first, then turn the next card.
Build runs you can move later
Long same-suit runs can only be moved if you have enough empty columns. Prefer building runs on columns you won't need to clear soon.
Know which twin is which
With two decks, two cards of every rank and suit exist. When choosing between identical cards, take the one whose removal uncovers more — the other copy can usually wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called Forty Thieves?
The forty cards dealt to the ten columns at the start are the "thieves", a nod to Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. The game is also known as Napoleon at St Helena, after the story that Napoleon played it in exile.
How often can you win Forty Thieves?
Not often. It's considered one of the hardest classic solitaires: only a small fraction of deals can be won, even by experienced players. Use Undo freely while you learn the patterns.
Can you move more than one card at a time?
Strictly, only one card moves at a time. When you have empty columns, though, a same-suit run can be moved card by card using them as stepping stones; this game does that for you in one tap if the run is short enough (up to 2, 4 or 8 cards with 1, 2 or 3 empty columns).
Is there a redeal in Forty Thieves?
No. You go through the stock once, one card at a time. Easier relatives such as Josephine relax the movement rules, but classic Forty Thieves keeps a single pass.