Play Maria Solitaire Online for Free
Maria is a double-deck Napoleon family patience named after Maria Theresa, Empress of Austria. Nine tableau columns of four face-up cards each replace the classic ten-column layout, and alternating-colour building replaces the strict same-suit rule. The result is a more fluid game than Forty Thieves, with a win rate around 40%.
What is Maria Solitaire?
Maria Solitaire uses two standard decks (104 cards). Nine tableau columns are dealt four cards each (all face-up), giving 36 tableau cards and leaving 68 in the stock. Tableau columns build down in alternating colours. Only one card at a time may be moved; sequences cannot be relocated as a unit. Eight foundations (four per deck) must be built from Ace up to King in suit. One card is drawn at a time from the stock; no redeals.
Maria Solitaire layout explained
The nine-column layout is one column narrower than Forty Thieves but uses alternating-colour building instead of same-suit building, which roughly doubles the number of legal tableau moves in any given position. With all cards face-up, the full position is visible immediately, making Maria a positional strategy game rather than one of information management. The name "Maria" is traditionally associated with Maria Theresa (1717-1780), one of the most prominent rulers in European history.
How to play Maria Solitaire
Maria Solitaire rules and objective
Move all 104 cards to the eight foundation piles, each built from Ace to King in a single suit. A card may be placed on a tableau column if it is one rank lower and opposite in colour to the current top card. Only one card at a time may be moved. Empty columns accept any single card. Draw one card at a time from the stock to the waste; no redeals.
Game setup
- Shuffle two standard 52-card decks together (104 cards total).
- Deal four rows of nine, all face-up, into nine columns.
- Reserve space above for eight foundation slots.
- Place the remaining 68 cards face-down as the stock.
Strategies to win Maria Solitaire
- Exploit alternating-colour flexibility early. With twice as many legal placements as same-suit games, the opening moves in Maria allow rapid reorganisation - use the early turns to expose cards buried in deep columns before the waste pile grows.
- Target Aces and 2s from the tableau before drawing. Since all cards are visible, plan a sequence of tableau moves to uncover and play foundation cards before touching the stock.
- Manage colour balance. Alternating-colour building means each column alternates red and black. Avoid creating columns that are entirely one colour, as this limits where future cards can be placed.
- Treat the nine columns as a precious resource. With one fewer column than Forty Thieves, empty columns are harder to create and more valuable when available. Plan carefully before filling one with an isolated card.
- Draw stock when the tableau is fully explored. With 68 undrawn cards and no redeal, every draw should produce a useful move. Scan every column for productive tableau moves before drawing.
Maria vs similar double-deck Napoleon games
| Game | Columns | Build rule | Stock | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forty Thieves | 10 × 4 | Same suit | 64 cards | ~15% |
| Maria | 9 × 4 | Alt colour | 68 cards | ~40% |
| Streets | 10 × 4 | Alt colour | 64 cards | ~20% |
| Red and Black | 8 × 4 | Alt colour | 72 cards | ~35% |
Maria Solitaire FAQ
Who is Maria Solitaire named after?
Maria Solitaire is named after Maria Theresa (1717-1780), Archduchess of Austria and Queen of Hungary and Bohemia. Card games bearing her name appear in 19th-century patience collections. Like many named patience games of the period, the exact origin of the association is uncertain, but the name has remained consistent across English and European card game references.
How does Maria differ from Forty Thieves?
Maria uses nine columns instead of ten and builds in alternating colours rather than same suit. The altColor rule roughly doubles the number of legal moves in any position, making the game considerably more playable despite having one fewer column. Maria's ~40% win rate is significantly higher than Forty Thieves' ~15%, primarily because the alternating-colour constraint is far less restrictive than same-suit building.
Can you move sequences in Maria Solitaire?
No. Maria follows the single-card movement rule common to most Napoleon family games. Alternating-colour sequences build naturally on the tableau, but each card must be moved individually. This restriction is the main source of difficulty in an otherwise accessible game. Players who prefer sequence movement should try Number Ten Solitaire.
Is there a stock in Maria Solitaire?
Yes. After the nine columns are dealt, 68 cards remain in the stock. One card is drawn at a time to the waste pile; the top waste card is always available for play. There is no redeal, so the 68 draws are the total resource for the game. This makes Maria a game where you must exhaust all productive tableau moves before drawing to maximise the value of each stock card.