What is the Win Rate for Josephine Solitaire?
15-20% Win Rate
Josephine Solitaire is a more forgiving variant of Forty Thieves that allows moving sequences of same-suit cards together.
Josephine vs Forty Thieves
The key difference that affects win rate:
| Feature | Forty Thieves | Josephine |
|---|---|---|
| Win Rate | 10% | 15-20% |
| Move Sequences? | ❌ Single cards only | ✅ Same-suit sequences |
| Empty columns | Any single card | Any single card |
Historical Connection
Named after Empress Joséphine, Napoleon's first wife, making it thematically paired with "Napoleon at St. Helena" (Forty Thieves). Napoleon divorced Joséphine in 1809, and the game naming reflects this historical relationship.
Why Sequence Moves Matter
The ability to move sequences makes empty columns even more powerful:
- Move an entire built sequence to an empty column at once
- Fewer individual moves needed to restructure the tableau
- Can build longer sequences before moving them
- Still requires same-suit building, keeping difficulty high
Strategy Tips
- Create empty columns early: Even more valuable than in Forty Thieves
- Build sequences before moving: Take advantage of sequence movement
- Watch the stock: You still only get one pass through