Spider Solitaire

Spider Solitaire is a single-player card game using one to four suits, where players build descending sequences to clear the tableau.

The format favors thoughtful sequencing, patient setup, and precise timing over hurried moves.

Overview of Spider Solitaire

Among solitaire titles, Spider rose to fame on desktops due to a clever balance between open information and hidden complexity. A standard layout features ten tableau columns and no traditional foundations at the start. Completed King-to-Ace runs leave the tableau, inching the deal toward a clean board.

Suit count drives difficulty: one-suit for learning, two-suit for intermediate play, and four-suit for expert runs. Fewer suits create more legal moves and longer sequences; more suits tighten options and require sharper planning.

Rules and setup

• Decks: Two standard 52-card decks, no jokers (104 cards total).
• Tableau: Ten columns. The first four columns start with six cards each; the remaining six start with five cards each. Only the top card in each column begins face up.
• Stock: The leftover 50 cards form five face-down deals of ten cards each. A stock deal places one face-up card onto every tableau column.
• Goal: Build complete descending sequences from King down to Ace within a single suit; a full run leaves the tableau.
• Movement: Move a face-up card onto a card one rank higher regardless of suit; move a packed sequence only when all cards share the same suit and follow perfect rank order.
• Empty columns: Any face-up card or suited sequence may occupy an empty column; using empty space wisely unlocks large reorganizations.

How to play

1. Scan the tableau for suited chains (for example, 9♠–8♠–7♠). Favor moves that extend or preserve these chains.
2. Reveal hidden cards by peeling top blockers onto nearby columns. Every new face-up card tends to increase options.
3. Form complete King-to-Ace runs within a single suit. A completed run automatically leaves the tableau.
4. Only deal from the stock when every column contains at least one card; avoid dealing into empty columns unless a plan already exists to recover structure.
5. Use empty columns as workbenches for staging long suited packs and freeing critical ranks.

Suit counts and difficulty

• One-suit: All cards share one suit. Ideal for learning mechanics, practicing pack movement, and building confidence.
• Two-suit: Two suits appear. More care required to maintain long runs; wasteful breaks carry heavier costs.
• Four-suit: The full challenge. Long suited chains appear rarely, so empty-column management and forward planning matter greatly.

Strategy tips that lift win rate

• Reveal depth first: Moves that flip hidden cards usually outrank cosmetic rearrangements.
• Protect suited packs: Avoid splitting a long, pure-suit chain unless the break enables a larger improvement.
• Create and preserve empty columns: One empty column helps; two transform difficult positions. Use them to shuttle cards and align suits.
• Favor same-suit stacking: Cross-suit stacking unlocks short-term moves but often creates future jams; repair such stacks quickly.
• Delay stock deals prudently: A premature deal buries progress. Stabilize columns and open at least one empty space before drawing ten new cards.
• Target high blockers: Free Kings and Queens early to enable long descending builds.
• Think in sequences, not single cards: A move that sets up a three-step alignment usually beats a flashy one-step play.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Dealing from stock while several columns remain chaotic.
• Breaking a long suited chain for a one-move gain with no follow-up.
• Ignoring empty-column creation; without workspace, deep repairs rarely happen.
• Parking high cards (K, Q, J) on top of key lanes, slowing reveals underneath.

Variants and popular options

• Classic Spider: Standard ten-column layout with five stock deals.
• Spider One Suit / Two Suit / Four Suit: Difficulty scales with suit count.
• Spiderette: A compact, seven-column take using one deck; faster rounds and tighter spaces.
• Relaxed draw: Some apps allow stock deals even with empty columns; faster tempo but less tension.
• Limited undo or hint: Training wheels for new players; turn them off once fundamentals feel comfortable.

Spider vs. Klondike vs. FreeCell

• Spider vs. Klondike: Spider features two decks and King-to-Ace runs within suits; Klondike focuses on alternating colors and four foundations.
• Spider vs. FreeCell: FreeCell reveals every card from the start and relies on temporary cells; Spider hides depth and rewards staged pack movement.

Frequently asked questions

How many decks?
Two decks for standard Spider (104 cards in total).

When should I deal from the stock?
After stabilizing columns and, ideally, after creating at least one empty column for post-deal repairs.

Do I need suits to move a pack?
A packed move requires perfect rank order and a single suit throughout the chain.

What win rate should I expect?
One-suit often yields high success; two-suit lowers that figure; four-suit demands expert-level planning and patience.

Conclusion

Spider rewards calm, methodical players who value reveal-first play, disciplined stock timing, and careful use of empty columns. With practice, one-suit serves as a training ground, two-suit sharpens sequencing, and four-suit delivers a signature endgame for veterans.