Forty Thieves · Game rules

Demons and Thieves

Goal

Move all cards to the foundations.

How to play

There are nine tableau piles, divided into two sets. The first set of tableau piles contains four piles, each with a single card dealt to it, and are built down by alternate color. The second set consists of five piles, with eight cards dealt to each, and are built down by same suit. An additional thirteen cards are dealt to a reserve pile, with only the top card face-up, and a single card is dealt to a foundation, determining the base rank of the foundations.

Any card or valid sequence can be moved between tableau piles. A sequence can be moved from one set to the other, regardless of whether it matches the rules of the piles it moved to, but in this case, the sequence cannot be moved further. Cards from the reserve can be moved to an appropriate foundation or tableau pile at any time.

Cards are dealt from the talon one at a time, and can be moved to the tableau or foundations. You have two redeals, so you can go through the deck three times.

The foundations are built up by same suit, starting from the rank dealt to the first foundation at the start of the game, wrapping from king to ace as necessary. The game is won if all cards are moved to the foundations.

New to solitaire? A few useful terms
Tableau
The main playing area, usually arranged in columns or piles.
Foundation
A destination where cards are collected in the order required by the game.
Stock / talon
Cards waiting to be dealt. A game may allow one pass or several.
Waste
A pile receiving cards turned over from the stock.
Reserve / cell
A holding area. Its capacity and movement rules depend on the game.
Redeal
Another pass through the stock or a redistribution of cards, as specified in that game’s rules.

Game-rule reference adapted from PySolFC documentation, licensed under GPL v3 or later. References describe the game’s mechanics.