Forty Thieves
Introduction
Forty Thieves Solitaire also known as Napoleon at St Helena is a difficult but rewarding Solitaire variation requiring smart strategy patience and careful planning The game uses two standard 52 card decks 104 cards and players must build foundations from Ace to King by suit With a low win rate this game is designed for experienced Solitaire players looking for a real challenge
Game Objective
The goal of Forty Thieves Solitaire is to move all cards from the tableau and stock pile to the eight foundation piles building them in ascending order from Ace to King by suit When all eight foundations are complete you win
Game Setup
Tableau
The tableau consists of 10 columns each containing 4 face up cards totaling 40 cards
Stock Pile
The remaining 64 cards are placed face down in the stock pile Players can draw one card at a time from the stock when no moves are available in the tableau
Foundation Piles
There are 8 foundation piles Cards must be built up in ascending order by suit starting from Ace to King
Rules and How to Play
Moving Cards
- Only the topmost card of each tableau column can be moved
- Cards must be arranged in descending order and the same suit in the tableau
- For example a 3 of Diamonds can be placed on a 4 of Diamonds but not on a 4 of Hearts
- Cards cannot be moved in groups only one card can be moved at a time
- If a tableau column becomes empty any card can be placed there
Stock and Waste Pile
- Players can draw one card at a time from the stock pile
- Drawn cards that cannot be placed immediately go to the waste pile
- The top card of the waste pile can be played onto the tableau or foundation
- Players can only pass through the stock pile once so strategic use is important
Foundation Piles
- Cards must be moved to the foundation piles in ascending order from Ace to King
- Whenever an Ace appears it should be placed in a foundation pile as soon as possible
Winning and Losing Conditions
- Win: The game is won when all cards are successfully moved to the foundation piles
- Lose: The game is lost if no valid moves remain and the stock pile is empty
Effective Strategies
- Create empty tableau columns as soon as possible Empty columns allow for more maneuverability and strategic moves
- Prioritize moving low cards such as Aces and Twos to the foundation early to clear space for other moves
- Plan moves carefully consider all available options before committing to a move
- Use the stock pile cautiously since you can only pass through it once make sure you have exhausted all tableau moves before drawing a card
- Do not rush to move cards to the foundation sometimes keeping certain cards in the tableau can lead to better moves later
Difficulty Level of Forty Thieves Solitaire
Forty Thieves Solitaire is considered one of the hardest Solitaire variations The average win rate is only 3.69 percent even with optimal strategy making each victory a satisfying achievement
Popular Variations of Forty Thieves Solitaire
- Josephine Solitaire: Similar to Forty Thieves but allows moving ordered card groups increasing the chances of winning
- Thieves of Egypt Solitaire: A version with a different layout offering a unique playing experience
- Napoleon’s Square: An easier variation with fewer restrictions on card movement and a higher win rate
Discover the world of Forty Thieves Solitaire on Solitaired and put your strategy skills to the test!
Conclusion
Forty Thieves Solitaire is a difficult but highly engaging game requiring strategy patience and long term planning If you are looking for a serious Solitaire challenge this game is perfect for you
