Forty Thieves (card Game) - Variations

Variations

Forty Thieves forms the basis for several variant games, most of which have been made easier to win. Common variations are dealing the aces to the foundations at the start of the game, having the tableaus build down by alternating colour rather than by suit, and allowing cards built down on top of a tableau to be moved together. Other variations include allowing use of any card from the waste, dealing some of the tableau cards face down, and changing the number of tableau piles and/or the number of cards in each tableau. The number of possible permutations is vast, and solitaire suites often include several flavours. Here are some of these variants:

• In Lucas, the aces are removed and act as the foundations while the 13 columns of three cards each are formed during the deal.
• In Maria, nine columns of four cards are formed on the deal and during play; during play, the cards are built down by alternating colour.
• In Limited, twelve columns of three cards each are dealt.
• In Streets, building on the tableau is down by alternating colour.
• In Indian, ten columns of three cards are dealt; the bottom card of each column is faced down. Furthermore, cards are built down by any suit other than its own. For example, any 5 can be placed over the 6♥ except the 5♥.
• In Rank and File, in the deal, the bottom three cards of each of the ten columns are faced down and the top card of each is the only one exposed. Building is down alternating colour and sequences can be moved in part and in whole.
• In Number Ten, ten columns of four cards are formed with the top two cards of each pile faced up and the bottom two faced down. Furthermore, building is down by alternating colour and a sequence can be moved as a unit in part or in whole.