Comparison
Forty Thieves vs Clock Solitaire
| Forty Thieves | Clock Solitaire | |
|---|---|---|
| Decks | 2 decks | One deck |
| Suits | 4 | 4 |
| Typical length | 25 min | 5 min |
| Difficulty | Hard | Easy |
| How much skill matters | High | Low |
| How much the shuffle matters | Low | High |
| Family | Standalone | Clock family |
| Good for beginners | No | Yes |
We have not written a verdict for this pairing. The comparison above is drawn from each game's own recorded facts — follow either link for its full rules and strategy.
Forty Thieves
Build strict same-suit sequences across ten columns dealt from two decks — one of the toughest classic patience games.
Two decks are dealt face up into ten columns of four, so the whole tableau is visible from the start. Columns build downward strictly by suit — a seven of hearts takes only the six of hearts — and eight foundations build each suit up from Ace to King.
Clock Solitaire
A purely luck-driven game with no decisions — deal all 52 cards into a clock face and see if the Kings come up last.
Twelve piles of four cards go face down in a circle at the twelve hour positions, with the last four in the centre. Turn the top card of the centre pile: whatever it is, it goes face up under the pile at its hour — Ace to one o'clock, Jack to eleven, Queen to twelve — and you then turn the top card of that pile.
Frequently asked questions
- Which is harder, Forty Thieves or Clock Solitaire?
- Forty Thieves is generally rated hard difficulty, while Clock Solitaire is rated easy — so most players find one noticeably harder than the other.