Play Josephine Solitaire Free Online
Josephine Solitaire
Josephine Solitaire is a Forty Thieves variant that allows moving same-suit sequences as a group, dramatically changing the game's character. Named after Napoleon's wife, this version transforms Forty Thieves from a gruelling single-card puzzle into a more flowing strategic game. The ability to move built sequences opens up combination plays and makes empty columns even more powerful.
How to Play Josephine Solitaire
What’s Different from Classic Forty Thieves?
Forty Thieves but you can move same-suit sequences together (not just single cards). Much easier.
Layout
40 cards are dealt face-up into 10 tableau columns of 4 cards each. The remaining 64 cards (2 decks = 104 total) form the stock pile. Eight empty foundation piles sit at the top.
Objective
Move all 104 cards to the eight foundation piles (two per suit), building each from Ace to King.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Only the top card of each tableau column is playable — you can only move one card at a time.
- Build tableau columns in descending order by the same suit (e.g. 5♥ on 6♥).
- Move Aces to foundations, then build up by suit (Ace, 2, 3 … King).
- Click the stock pile to draw one card at a time to the waste pile.
- Play the top waste card onto tableau columns or foundations.
- Empty columns can be filled with any single card — they are extremely valuable.
- With 2 decks, there are 8 foundation piles (two for each suit). Win when all 8 are complete.
Other Forty Thieves Variations
Or go back to Forty Thieves Solitaire.
Classic Forty Thieveshard
Forty Thieves is a two-deck solitaire game that lives up to its reputation as one of the hardest patience games. Deal 40 cards across ten columns of four, all face-up. Build tablea...
Napoleon Forty Thieveshard
Napoleon Solitaire (also known as Napoleon at St. Helena) is the classic two-deck variant of Forty Thieves. Ten tableau columns of four face-up cards each create a challenging land...
Limited Forty Thieveshard
Limited Solitaire is a Forty Thieves variant that reduces the number of tableau columns or the initial deal, creating a tighter playing field. With fewer columns to work with, empt...
Thieves of Egypt Forty Thieveshard
Thieves of Egypt is a Forty Thieves variant with a pyramid-shaped deal — columns have different heights, creating an asymmetric playing field. The tallest columns are in the center...
Why Play Josephine Solitaire Online?
Forty Thieves is a two-deck solitaire classic known for its punishing difficulty. With strict single-card movement and limited tableau building, it demands precise planning. Winning rates hover around 10%, making every victory feel earned.
Game Features
- Two Full Decks — 104 cards across 10 columns for maximum complexity
- Same-Suit Building — Strict suit matching on the tableau
- Unlimited Undo — Critical for planning multi-step single-card sequences
- Smart Hints — Identifies optimal card placements in a complex layout
- Statistics Tracking — Track your progress against the ~10% win rate
- No Registration — Jump straight into the challenge without signing up
Josephine Tips and Strategies
Group moves are your biggest advantage — build long same-suit sequences before transferring them. Empty columns are now even more valuable since you can temporarily park entire sequences there. Still focus on same-suit building, but the group move rule means you can be more aggressive with sequence construction.
Josephine Solitaire Rules
Scoring System
Forty Thieves scores 10 points for each card moved to a foundation. With 104 cards across two decks, the maximum foundation score is 1,040. The strict single-card movement means every successful foundation placement is hard-earned.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The critical Forty Thieves mistake is playing too aggressively from the tableau. With only one card drawn at a time from the stock and strict single-card movement rules, every move must be calculated. Empty columns are extremely valuable — don't fill them without a clear plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Josephine Solitaire.
What is Josephine Solitaire?
Josephine Solitaire is a classic card game you can play for free online at Solitaire.fyi. No downloads or registration required — play instantly in your browser on any device.
How does Josephine differ from Forty Thieves?
The only rule difference is that Josephine allows moving same-suit descending sequences as a group, while Forty Thieves restricts you to single-card moves. This one change dramatically increases the win rate from about 10% to roughly 30-40%.
Is Josephine Solitaire free to play?
Yes — 100% free at Solitaire.fyi with no hidden costs, no sign-up, and no ads that interrupt gameplay. Play unlimited games on desktop, tablet, or mobile.
What is a good win rate for Josephine Solitaire?
Win rates vary by variant and skill level. Experienced players typically win 30-60% of games depending on the variant. Using undo and hints can help you improve.
History of Josephine Solitaire
Forty Thieves, also known as Napoleon at St. Helena, is legendarily the game Napoleon Bonaparte played during his exile. While this origin story is likely apocryphal, the game has been documented since the late 19th century. Its punishing difficulty and strategic depth earned it names like "Big Forty" and "Roosevelt" (after Theodore Roosevelt, who allegedly enjoyed it). With win rates around 10%, it remains one of the most challenging mainstream solitaire games.
Cognitive Benefits of Josephine
Forty Thieves demands exceptional sequential planning. With single-card movement across 10 columns, you must visualize long chains of individual moves. This exercises the same kind of forward-thinking used in chess — planning 10-15 moves ahead with limited margin for error.