Description
Spider Solitaire takes the familiar idea of arranging cards into descending sequences and turns it into a larger, more tactical game than classic Klondike. It uses two full decks, giving you 104 cards spread across 10 tableau columns. Rather than working through a conventional draw pile, you deal fresh rows of cards across the tableau when you run out of useful moves. There are also no traditional foundation piles. Instead, a complete same-suit sequence from King down to Ace is removed automatically, and the game is won when all eight completed runs have been collected.The basic building rule is more flexible than in Klondike: you may place any card onto another card exactly one rank higher, regardless of suit. A 7 can therefore be placed on any 8. However, mixed-suit sequences have an important limitation. Only cards arranged in an unbroken, descending run of the same suit can be picked up and moved together. Much of the challenge comes from using temporary mixed-suit stacks while gradually organising them into movable same-suit runs.
You can choose between three difficulty levels. One-suit Spider is the easiest and is a good place to learn how to open columns, manage blocked cards and plan complete sequences. Two-suit Spider introduces more restrictions without making the layout as unforgiving, making it a good choice once one suit feels comfortable. Four-suit Spider uses every suit and is the hardest option. This is the classic form of the game, requiring careful planning and more patience because useful same-suit runs are harder to assemble.
You can play Spider Solitaire free online in your browser with no download required. Choose the number of suits that matches the challenge you want, then work towards clearing the tableau by completing all eight King-to-Ace runs.
Instructions
## How to Play Spider SolitaireSpider Solitaire is played across a wide tableau, with the aim of organising all 104 cards into eight complete same-suit sequences. The rules for placing and moving cards differ, so understanding that distinction is the key to playing well.
### The Deal
The game begins with 10 tableau columns. The first four receive six cards each, while the remaining six receive five each. Only the top card in every column is face-up; the cards beneath remain face-down until uncovered. Exposing hidden cards is an early priority because every card revealed creates new options and gives you more information.
### Building the Tableau
Build downward by placing a card on another card exactly one rank higher. Suit does not matter for individual placements, so any 7 can go on any 8. This is looser than Klondike, where descending cards normally alternate colours, and allows temporary mixed-suit sequences that help you reach blocked cards.
### Moving Cards as a Group
Although individual cards can be placed regardless of suit, a group can be moved only when it forms a consecutive descending sequence in the same suit. A 9-8-7 run can be dragged together only if all three cards share a suit. This contrast is the most important rule for new Spider players: a legal single-card placement may create a mixed stack that cannot later move as a group. Use mixed sequences when necessary, but try to reorganise them into same-suit runs.
### Using Empty Columns
Any single card or valid same-suit run can move into an empty column. Unlike Klondike, there is no King-only rule. Empty columns give you room to separate suits, rearrange sequences and uncover cards. Filling one without a plan can remove the flexibility needed to solve the layout.
### Dealing from the Stock
Dealing from the stock places one new face-up card on every column at once, rather than letting you draw and play cards individually. A deal is blocked entirely if any tableau column is empty, so every empty space must first be filled. Since a new row can cover useful sequences, organise the tableau as thoroughly as possible before dealing.
### Completing a Run
A full descending sequence from King through Queen, Jack and every lower rank to Ace clears automatically when every card is the same suit. There is no foundation pile and no need to move the run manually. Clearing a sequence frees space and may expose a face-down card, improving the position while moving you closer to collecting all eight runs.
### Choosing a Difficulty
Every difficulty uses the same total of 104 cards, but the suits are repeated differently. One-suit Spider uses one suit repeated throughout, making same-suit sequences easier to form. Two-suit Spider uses two repeated suits and requires more planning. Four-suit Spider uses all four suits and is the classic, hardest version because mixed stacks are more common and harder to untangle.
As a basic strategy, uncover face-down cards as early as possible. Preserve empty columns whenever you can, and do not fill one carelessly: an open column is one of your most valuable tools for rebuilding mixed stacks into movable same-suit runs.
FAQs ## Spider Solitaire
### How many times can I deal from the stock?
There are five stock deals available. After 54 of the 104 cards are placed in the initial tableau, 50 remain. Each deal distributes one card to every one of the ten columns, using ten cards at a time. Remember that a deal cannot proceed while any column is empty.
### Can every Spider Solitaire game be won?
No, not every deal has a winning route. The likelihood of an unsolvable or unsuccessful layout rises sharply as more suits are introduced. One-suit games provide much more freedom to assemble movable sequences, while four-suit games can become blocked despite apparently reasonable earlier choices.
### Why is four-suit Spider so much harder with the same number of cards?
Mixed-suit placements are easy to make but cannot move together as a group. Four suits create far more opportunities to build sequences that look useful temporarily but later become difficult to separate. The challenge therefore comes from restricted mobility and suit arrangement, not from an increase in the total number of cards.
### Why is it called Spider Solitaire?
The name refers to the eight complete sequences needed to win, matching a spider’s eight legs. Each King-to-Ace same-suit sequence represents one of those eight completed runs. The title therefore comes from the game’s objective rather than the shape of its tableau.
### How is Spider different from FreeCell?
Spider uses two decks, begins with hidden cards and requires eight complete same-suit sequences. FreeCell uses one fully visible deck, four temporary holding cells and four foundations. Spider also adds new rows from a stock, while FreeCell provides no stock and relies entirely on rearranging the initial deal
