Forty Thieves Solitaire is a challenging single-player card game that requires careful planning and strategy. The objective is to build eight foundation piles in ascending order, from Ace to King, for each of the eight suits (two decks of cards).
Setup:
- Use two standard 52-card decks (104 cards in total) for Forty Thieves Solitaire.
- Shuffle the decks separately and deal ten tableau columns, each containing four face-up cards. You should have eight cards left to form the reserve pile.
- Place the remaining cards face down as the stock pile.
Objective:
- The goal is to build eight foundation piles, one for each suit, in ascending order from Ace to King. For example, you should have a foundation pile for Hearts starting with Ace and ending with King, and similarly for Diamonds, Clubs, and Spades.
Round Play:
- You can move cards within the tableau columns, as long as they are in descending order and of alternating colors. For example, a black 10 can be placed on a red Jack, and a red 5 can be placed on a black 6.
- You can move a sequence of cards to an empty column or to a column that starts with a King.
- You can move a King (and any cards on top of it) to an empty column.
- Cards can be drawn from the stock pile (one at a time) to the reserve pile. If a card is drawn, the card beneath it becomes available for play.
- You can move cards from the reserve pile to the tableau columns or to the foundation piles if they are in ascending order and match the suit.
- When there are no more available moves in the tableau, you can click on the stock pile to draw new cards to the reserve pile.
Winning:
- The game is won when all eight foundation piles are built in ascending order, from Ace to King, for each of the eight suits (two decks).
Losing:
- The game is lost when there are no more available moves in the tableau columns, and you cannot build the foundation piles.
Tips:
- Plan your moves carefully and consider the implications of each move on future plays.
- Prioritize moving cards to the foundation piles when possible.
- Empty tableau columns are valuable for moving Kings and sequences.
- Use the stock pile wisely, as it can provide opportunities to advance in the game.
Forty Thieves Solitaire is a card game that combines skill and strategy. It's known for its complexity and engaging gameplay, offering a rewarding challenge for solitaire enthusiasts.