Thieves of Egypt Solitaire 🏜️🃏 – A Fun & Casual Card Game Adventure

Nothing beats a fun game night with Thieves of Egypt Solitaire as the star attraction! This unique solitaire game blends the challenge of Forty Thieves with the friendly, familiar mechanics of Klondike, all wrapped in a lighthearted Egyptian theme. It’s played with two decks of cards and dealt out in a distinctive pyramid-shaped layout – meaning you get lots of moves right from the start and a higher chance of winning than tougher solitaire games. Whether you’re a casual card-flipper or a seasoned solitaire pro, Thieves of Egypt is easy to learn, forgiving, and seriously satisfying to play. Ready to uncover the secrets of this game (and win more often)? Let’s dive in 😄!

How to Play Thieves of Egypt Solitaire 📜

Getting started with Thieves of Egypt is simple and fun. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to play:

1. Deal Out the Cards: Thieves of Egypt uses two standard 52-card decks (104 cards total). Shuffle them together, then deal 10 tableau piles in a pyramid shape (think 1-3-5-7-9-10-8-6-4-2 cards in each pile) – all 55 cards are face-up so you can see everything right away. The remaining 49 cards go into a face-down stock pile, and you’ll have 8 empty foundation spots above the tableau ready for Aces.
2. Goal of the Game: Your objective is to move all the cards to the 8 foundation piles, building each foundation in suit from Ace up to King. Whenever you free up an Ace (in the tableau or from the stock), move it to an empty foundation to start building that suit. Ultimately, you win by assembling every card onto these foundations, Ace through King. 🏆
3. Building on the Tableau: On the tableau (the 10 columns of cards), you can move cards in descending order, alternating colors – much like in Klondike Solitaire. For example, a red 8 can go on a black 9, a black 7 on a red 8, and so on. You can move single cards or entire sequences that are already in correct order. If a whole run of cards is arranged in descending alternating order, you’re allowed to pick up that stack and move it as a unit onto another pile! This makes it easier to rearrange cards compared to classic Forty Thieves.
4. Empty Column Rule: If you clear all cards from a tableau column, congrats – you made an empty space! You can only fill an empty column with a King or a sequence of cards starting with a King (just like Klondike rules). So if you have a loose King available, you can place it (and any cards stacked on it) into an open slot. This opens up new moves and helps you unveil hidden cards. Always try to have a King ready before you empty a pile so you can immediately use that space. 👑
5. Using the Stock & Waste: If you run out of moves on the tableau, turn to the stock pile. Click or flip the stock to deal one card face-up to the waste (the discard pile). The top card of the waste is now in play – you can move it to a foundation if it fits the sequence or move it onto the tableau if it follows the descending alternating color rule. Keep flipping cards one at a time whenever you need a new move.
6. Redeal for a Second Chance: Thieves of Egypt gives you one redeal – a helpful second chance! If you’ve gone through the entire stock and still have cards left in the waste, you can click the empty stock pile to reset the waste back into a new stock once. This means you get to cycle through the deck twice in total. Use this redeal wisely to play any cards you had to skip on the first pass. (After one redeal, no more resets – so make that second round count!)
7. Keep Going Until You Win: Continue moving cards between the tableau, foundations, and stock. Always put available Aces and low cards up to the foundations as soon as you can – building those foundations brings you closer to victory. The game is won once all 104 cards are on the foundations (you’ll see 8 Kings proudly sitting at the top of each foundation pile). If you get stuck and no moves are possible even after using the redeal, don’t worry – you can always start a new game and try again. Good luck! 🎉

Rules of the Game 📐

For those who like a quick rules rundown, here are the key rules of Thieves of Egypt Solitaire:

• Decks & Deal: Played with two decks (104 cards). Deal 10 columns in a pyramid shape with 55 cards face-up in the tableau (1, 3, 5, ... 2 cards in each column). The remaining 49 cards form the face-down stock pile, and 8 foundation piles start empty.
• Goal: Move all cards to the 8 foundation piles. Foundations are built in suit from Ace to King (Ace is low, King is high). Each foundation must start with an Ace and continue with 2, 3, 4... up to King of the same suit.
• Tableau Building: On the tableau, cards are built in descending order (one rank lower) and must alternate colors (e.g. you can place a black 7 on a red 8). You can move single cards or multiple cards in sequence if they are already arranged in alternating descending order. This means you can pick up a ready-made sequence and move it to another column in one go (a helpful rule borrowed from Klondike).
• Empty Spaces: Only a King (or a group of cards headed by a King) can be moved to an empty tableau column. In other words, Kings are the only cards that can fill an empty slot. If you clear a pile, try to move a King there promptly to make use of the space.
• Stock & Waste: You can draw one card at a time from the stock pile to the waste pile when no other moves are available. The top card of the waste can be played to a foundation or tableau if it fits.
• Redeal: You are allowed one redeal in Thieves of Egypt. If the stock runs out, you can recycle the waste back into the stock once, giving you a second pass through the deck. (No more redeals after the first reset.)
• Winning: The game is won when all cards are on the foundations in order. If you’ve used the stock and redeal and can’t make any more moves while cards remain in the tableau, the game is lost – but don’t fret, you can always retry with a new deal. Most deals are actually winnable (estimated 75–85% win rate for average players), so keep practicing and you’ll beat those thieves in no time!

Brief History of Thieves of Egypt Solitaire 🕰️

Despite the Egyptian theme, Thieves of Egypt is not an ancient game – it’s actually a modern solitaire creation from the digital era. This variant was invented in the 1990s by Thomas Warfield, a well-known solitaire game designer. Warfield developed it as a more approachable spin on the classic Forty Thieves solitaire, combining Forty Thieves’ two-deck setup with some friendlier Klondike-style rules. The catchy name “Thieves of Egypt” pays homage to its parent game Forty Thieves (itself named after the Ali Baba folk tale) and nods to the game’s pyramid-shaped deal, evoking the pyramids of Egypt for a fun thematic touch.

After its introduction in Warfield’s Pretty Good Solitaire software collection, Thieves of Egypt quickly gained popularity. Players loved that it kept the spirit of Forty Thieves but added flexibility (like moving sequences and that one-time redeal) to make it less frustrating and more winnable. Over time, this variant became a staple in many digital solitaire apps and websites. Today, Thieves of Egypt is a well-known member of the Forty Thieves family of games, and it has even inspired a few similar variants of its own. Its enduring presence shows how successful this newer solitaire has been at capturing players’ interest!

Who Created the Game? 🤔

Thieves of Egypt Solitaire was created by Thomas Warfield, the author of the Pretty Good Solitaire software. Warfield introduced the game in the late 20th century as one of many new solitaire variations in his collection. His goal was to design a version of Forty Thieves that would be more accessible and fun for casual players. Thanks to Warfield’s creativity, we have Thieves of Egypt – a solitaire game that feels classic yet modern, and one that countless players have come to enjoy. (Fun fact: because it’s a contemporary creation, you won’t find Thieves of Egypt in old card game books – it was born in the computer era! 📟)

Tips and Tricks for Winning 🏆

Even though Thieves of Egypt is more forgiving than many solitaire games, a little strategy can boost your winning chances. Here are some handy tips and tricks to help you play smarter:

• Free your Aces (and 2s) ASAP: Always move Aces to the foundation the moment they’re available, and the same goes for 2s. There’s no benefit in leaving an Ace or a deuce buried in the tableau or waste – getting them to the foundations clears space and opens up new moves. Low cards are most useful on the foundation, so send them up pronto!
• Start each suit early: Try to start at least one foundation pile for each suit as soon as you can. Once you have all four suits going (with an Ace placed on each foundation), you’ll have a place to put any new low cards that appear. This balances your progress and prevents clogging the tableau with cards that have nowhere to go.
• Flip the first stock card right away: At the very beginning, go ahead and flip the top card from the stock pile before making any moves. This will immediately give you one extra option (the card in the waste) and more information about what’s in store. Sometimes that first stock card is just what you need to get things moving!
• Uncover hidden cards whenever possible: If you have a choice between two moves, pick the one that reveals new cards (especially cards that are face-down or buried deep in a pile). For example, moving a card that frees a face-down card or a trapped low card (like an Ace) is usually better than a move that doesn’t reveal anything new. The more cards you uncover, the more options you’ll have.
• Use empty columns wisely: Clearing a column can give you a huge advantage, but make sure you have a plan for that empty space. Ideally, have a King ready to drop into an empty column as soon as you clear it. Filling an empty spot with a King (especially one that was covering important cards) can free up another column and let you move a whole sequence onto that King. Empty columns are like bonus parking spaces – super useful, but only if you use them at the right time.
• Don’t rush the stock on the first pass: Remember, you get to go through the stock twice in this game. On your first pass through the stock, you might hold off playing certain waste cards immediately if they’re not helpful yet. You can leave some cards in the waste the first time around; when you redeal, you’ll see them again and might have better places to play them. This way, the first cycle through the stock acts as a preview – use it to plan for the second round.
• Think a few moves ahead: As with all solitaire games, a little foresight goes a long way. Before you make a move, especially a big one like moving a long sequence or emptying a column, consider how it will affect your next moves. For instance, if you place a King in an empty column, will that help reveal an Ace somewhere else, or will it block a needed card? Try to plan a couple of moves in advance rather than just reacting to the current situation. By staying strategic and patient, you’ll improve your success rate and have more fun winning the game!

By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll find yourself winning much more often. Thieves of Egypt is a game of skill as much as luck – smart decisions and a bit of patience will greatly improve your odds. And remember, even if a particular deal doesn’t work out, you can always hit “New Game” and try again. Part of the fun is refining your strategy with each play. You’ve got this! 👍

Play Thieves of Egypt Solitaire Online at SolitaireX.io 🎮

One of the best things about Thieves of Egypt Solitaire is that you can start playing it right now, for free! The game is available to play online at SolitaireX.io, and you don’t need any downloads or sign-ups – just head to the site in your browser and play instantly. 👉 Play Thieves of Egypt now at SolitaireX.io/thieves-of-egypt-solitaire!

On SolitaireX.io, you’ll enjoy a smooth, user-friendly interface and helpful features perfect for casual gaming. You can undo moves, get hints, and even toggle on “winnable” deals if you want an easier game. This means you can practice the strategies from above and have fun without frustration. The game is completely free, so feel free to start as many rounds as you like until you conquer those crafty thieves!

While you’re on SolitaireX, be sure to explore the other solitaire games available too. The site offers a whole library of classic and unique solitaire variations – from favorites like Klondike, FreeCell, Spider, and Pyramid to many more fun games. It’s a one-stop spot for solitaire lovers to enjoy endless card game entertainment. So go ahead and give Thieves of Egypt Solitaire a try, and check out the other games on SolitaireX.io for more card-playing adventures. Have fun, and happy solitaire playing! 🎉

Sources:

1. SolitaireX.io – “Thieves of Egypt Solitaire – How to Play Online, Rules, and Tips for Casual Gamers”
2. SolitaireX.io Blog – Fun Facts & Strategy for Thieves of Egypt