Josephine Solitaire

Summary

Josephine, also known as Forty Bandits, is identical to Forty Thieves with only one difference:

• Whereas in Forty Thieves only one card may be moved at a time, in Josephine, any number of cards in a properly built suit sequence may be moved.

Josephine Rules

Goal

Move all cards to the eight Foundation piles, starting with the Aces and continuing up to the Kings in EACH suit.

The Deal

Using two decks, 40 cards are dealt face up to the ten Columns with each column receiving 4 cards. The remaining 64 cards form the Stock.

Foundations

Starting with an Ace and continuing up to the Kings, each Foundation is built UP and in the SAME SUIT.

Columns

Columns are built DOWN and in the SAME SUIT. For example, within the columns, the only card that can be played onto a 5 of Clubs would be a 4 of Clubs.

The exposed card in any Column is available for play to another Column or to a Foundation pile. Any number of properly sequenced cards may be moved to another Column if the build condition is met. Sequences may be split.

Empty Columns may be filled with any card or properly sequenced group of cards.

Stock and Discard Pile

Cards from the Stock are flipped one at a time to the Discard Pile. The top card of the Discard Pile may be played to a Column or to a Foundation.

There are no redeals.

Josephine Strategy

Josephine is somewhat easier to win than Forty Thieves due to the added rule that groups of sequenced cards can be moved. This makes it easier to move cards around the Columns, and makes it easier to open up empty Columns. The end-game is also easier for the same reasons.

Work to empty at least one Column as soon as possible. With an empty Column available it will be easier to put more cards from the Waste Pile into play. When moving cards from the Waste Pile to an empty Column, try to move other cards onto the newly placed card so that a different Column can be emptied.

Sometimes, it can be better to store cards in the Columns that would otherwise be playable to Foundations.