Limited - Play Online Free
Limited is a two-deck Forty Thieves variant that widens the tableau to twelve shallow columns of just three cards, leaving a large stock of sixty-eight. The extra columns give you more room to maneuver than standard Forty Thieves, but the same-suit building and single-card-only moves keep it a serious challenge. This free online Limited Solitaire plays instantly in your browser — no download and no sign-up.
What Is Limited Solitaire?
Limited is a single-player card game played with two standard decks shuffled together — 104 cards in all. Thirty-six cards are dealt face-up into twelve columns of three, and the remaining sixty-eight form a large stock that you draw from one card at a time with no redeals. The goal is to build eight foundations up from Ace to King by suit, two per suit, clearing the entire deck.
The defining feature of the limited game is its wide, shallow tableau. Twelve columns of only three cards give you more landing spots and empty-column potential than Forty Thieves' ten columns of four, which eases the famously tight Forty Thieves bottleneck. Even so, the same-suit building rule and single-card moves keep it demanding, and the huge sixty-eight-card stock means most of the deck is hidden. With a win rate around 15–20%, Limited is a touch friendlier than Forty Thieves while preserving its strategic, planning-heavy character.
How to Play Limited
Setup and Deal
Use two standard decks (104 cards). Deal 36 cards face-up into twelve columns of three cards each. The remaining 68 cards form the stock pile, drawn one at a time with no redeals, and eight foundations (two per suit) wait to be built from Ace to King.
Objective
Move all 104 cards to the eight foundations, building each suit upward from Ace to King. You reach this by arranging the tableau into descending same-suit runs, drawing from the large stock when needed, and using empty columns to free buried cards. Clear the whole deck to win.
Rules
- All 36 tableau cards are dealt face-up.
- Build tableau columns in descending rank with same-suit cards only.
- Only single cards can be moved.
- Any card can fill an empty column.
- Draw one card at a time from the stock with no redeals.
- Build 8 foundation piles from Ace to King by suit.
Limited Strategy Tips
- With twelve columns you have more workspace than Forty Thieves — use the extra room wisely.
- Build the foundations aggressively to reduce the number of cards in play.
- Empty columns are essential workspace — create them and protect them.
- The large 68-card stock means much of the deck is hidden, so manage your tableau carefully before drawing.
- Favor same-suit placements and grow same-suit runs, since those are your path to the foundations.
- Draw from the stock only after exhausting useful tableau moves, because there are no redeals.
Limited vs. Forty Thieves
Limited keeps the core of Forty Thieves — two decks, same-suit building, single-card moves, eight foundations, and a no-redeal stock — but reshapes the tableau into twelve columns of three instead of ten columns of four. The wider, shallower layout gives you more columns to work with and easier access to empty columns, which raises the win rate from Forty Thieves' ~10% to roughly 15–20%. The games feel closely related, so Limited is a natural next step for Forty Thieves players who want slightly more breathing room without abandoning the challenge.
Tips for Beginners
New to Limited? It is a hard game, so expect to lose many deals even with good play. Concentrate on freeing the Aces and pushing the foundations up early, and lean on your twelve columns and any empty columns as workspace. Build same-suit runs deliberately, and do not draw from the stock until you have made every useful tableau move. Unlimited undo lets you experiment and learn which lines tend to open up the board.
Play Limited Solitaire Free Online — No Download
You can play Limited Solitaire free online right here, with no download and no sign-up. The game runs in your browser on desktop, tablet, and phone, so this two-deck Forty Thieves variant is always within reach. With its wide twelve-column tableau, same-suit building, and large stock, Limited offers a strategic challenge that rewards patient planning — a great pick for fans of Forty Thieves who want a little extra workspace. Every deal is a demanding puzzle to work through.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Limited different from Forty Thieves?
Limited uses 12 columns of 3 cards instead of 10 columns of 4. The wider, shallower tableau provides more workspace, making it somewhat easier than standard Forty Thieves.
What is the win rate for Limited?
About 15-20% of deals are solvable, slightly higher than Forty Thieves due to the extra columns providing more flexibility.
Why is it called Limited?
The name refers to the limited number of cards dealt to each column (only 3), compared to Forty Thieves' 4 cards per column.
How many cards does Limited use?
Limited uses two full decks for a total of 104 cards. Thirty-six are dealt to the twelve tableau columns and the other sixty-eight form the stock pile.
Can you move groups of cards in Limited?
No. Like Forty Thieves, Limited allows only single-card moves, so a sequence must be relocated one card at a time, usually by parking cards in empty columns. This restriction is a major source of the game's difficulty.
Does Limited have redeals?
No. You get a single pass through the large 68-card stock with no redeals, so each stock card is a one-time chance. This makes careful tableau play and stock timing essential to winning.
What is the best strategy for Limited?
Push the foundations up early to thin the board, build same-suit runs where you can, and guard your empty columns as workspace. Because moves are single-card and there are no redeals, plan each relocation and each draw deliberately.
Is Limited a game of luck or skill?
Both, like most two-deck games. The deal sets the ceiling, but skillful foundation building, same-suit sequencing, and stock management decide whether a winnable deal is actually won.
Is Limited Solitaire free to play?
Yes. This Limited is completely free — no download, no sign-up, and no fees. Just open the page and play in your browser on any device.