This article contains everything you need to know about Arkadium's Forty Thieves Solitaire game.
Use the list below to navigate specific topics about Forty Thieves Solitaire.
How to play
Welcome to 40 Thieves Solitaire, the famous solitaire challenge! Also called Napoleon at St Helena, Forty Thieves Solitaire is one of the most popular variation of the singleplayer card games. Known for its difficulty when abiding by its original rules, Arkadium offers options to play the game in your own way, or to enjoy the original in all of its glory.
Goal. Your goal is to play all 104 cards to the 8 foundations above. 40 cards will be placed in 10 tableau piles, and the rest is in your stock.
Difficulty level. Start a game of Forty Thieves Solitaire by choosing between Easy or Hard difficulty.
On Easy mode, you can move solitaire cards of the same suit built down as a unit.
EXAMPLE: K, Q, J and 10 of the same suit, in that order, can be moved together. In addition, you can go through your stock again once it runs out
The hard mode requires even more patience since it abides by the original Forty Thieves rules: you can only move the top card of each pile, and you may only go through the stock once.
Rules. Here are the general rules to the game:
- You can only play the top card of each tableau and the currently open card from the stock.
- Click or drag cards to move them, or double-click to play them (if possible).
- Tableaus must be built DOWN by suit, from King to Ace.
- Foundations must be built UP by suit, starting with Ace, and up to King.
- Click your stock to open the next card.
Hint and undo. You can use the HINT button to easily locate possible moves. You can UNDO your last move, or several moves if you wish.
You're also able to see the number of moves you've made as well as how much time has passed since the game has begun.
If you'd like to view the options menu, you can click on the top right icon.
Here, you're able to check on the help section to freshen up on the rules of the game, to turn off the sound, or to quit the game should you want to. Click on the X on the upper right to close the menu. This menu can be used to pause the game should you want to take a break.
Tips
Forty Thieves Solitaire is a challenging and engaging solitaire card game that requires strategic thinking and planning. Playing the game online allows you to practice and improve your skills at your own pace. The following tips will help you enhance your Forty Thieves Solitaire game and increase your chances of winning.
1. Analyze the tableau before making a move:
Before making any moves, take the time to study the tableau and identify potential card sequences. Look for cards that can be removed quickly, as well as those that are blocking multiple cards in the tableau.
2. Prioritize uncovering and moving tableau cards:
Focus on uncovering and moving the cards in the tableau whenever possible. This will create more space, provide additional options for moves, and increase your chances of uncovering helpful cards.
3. Build sequences on the tableau:
As you organize cards in the tableau, build sequences by arranging cards in descending order and with the same suit. This will make it easier to move cards between columns and eventually transfer them to the foundation piles.
4. Move cards to the foundation piles strategically:
While it's important to build the foundation piles, don't rush to move cards to the foundation unless it's necessary or beneficial to your overall strategy. Sometimes, it's better to keep certain cards in the tableau to help you move other cards more easily.
5. Use the stockpile and waste pile wisely:
When drawing cards from the stockpile, consider how each card can be used in the tableau. Try to save cards in the waste pile that can create multiple moves or uncover multiple cards when played.
6. Plan your moves carefully:
As you play Forty Thieves Solitaire, think about the possible consequences of each move and how it will impact the overall game. Try to foresee the cards that may become available after making a move and plan accordingly.
7. Be cautious with Kings:
Since Kings can only be placed in empty tableau columns, be cautious when moving them. Make sure moving a King won't block other cards or limit your options for future moves.
8. Use the "undo" feature when needed:
Our Forty Thieves Solitaire offers an "undo" feature that allows you to take back previous moves. Use this feature when you realize you've made a mistake or want to explore different strategies.
9. Don't hesitate to restart a game:
If you find yourself in a situation where you can't make any more moves or you believe you've made too many mistakes, don't hesitate to restart the game. Learning from your mistakes and trying again will help you improve your skills and develop better strategies.
10. Practice, practice, practice:
The more you play Forty Thieves Solitaire, the better you'll become at recognizing patterns, planning moves, and devising winning strategies. Regular practice will help you develop a deeper understanding of the game and improve your overall performance.
By following these tips and consistently practicing your Forty Thieves Solitaire skills, you'll be well on your way to mastering this engaging and challenging solitaire card game. Happy playing!
Scoring
This is how the scoring of the game functions:
EASY LEVEL General Formula:
Final Score (if player win the game) = (the number of collected cards * 10) * number of collected piles + (the number of collected piles * 50) + Win Bonus + Moves Bonus + Time Bonus.
Final Score (if the game was interrupted) = (the number of collected cards * 10) * number of collected piles + (the number of collected piles * 50)
Each card collected and placed into a foundation pile is worth 10 points.
Each collected foundation pile = 50 points
NOTE: bonuses are awarded when all cards are collected
Win Bonus = 100 points.
Moves Bonus = 300 - the number of moves made
Time Bonus = 900 (15 minutes) - the number of seconds spent.
Maximum Game Score = 2,548
HARD LEVEL General formula:
Final Score (if player win the game) = (the number of collected cards * 20) * number of collected piles + (the number of collected piles * 100) + Win Bonus + Moves Bonus + Time Bonus.
Final Score (if the game was interrupted) = (the number of collected cards * 20) * number of collected piles + (the number of collected piles * 100)
Each card collected and placed into a foundation pile is worth 20 points.
Each collected foundation pile = 100 points
NOTE: bonuses are awarded when all cards are collectedWin Bonus = 500 points.
Moves Bonus = 400 - the number of moves made
Time Bonus = 1,500 (25 minutes) - the number of seconds spent.
Maximum Game Score = 5,088