Comparison
Forty Thieves vs Spider
| Forty Thieves | Spider | |
|---|---|---|
| Decks | 2 decks | 2 decks |
| Suits | 4 | 4 |
| Typical length | 25 min | 20 min |
| Difficulty | Hard | Intermediate |
| How much skill matters | High | High |
| How much the shuffle matters | Low | Low |
| Family | Standalone | Spider family |
| Good for beginners | No | No |
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.
Spider
Build same-suit sequences from King to Ace across ten tableau columns using two full decks and four suits.
Two full decks are dealt into ten columns — 54 cards, with the last of each column face up. Columns build downward by rank, and here the suit does not matter for placing a single card: any nine goes onto any ten.
Frequently asked questions
- Which is harder, Forty Thieves or Spider?
- Forty Thieves is generally rated hard difficulty, while Spider is rated intermediate — so most players find one noticeably harder than the other.