Spider Solitaire
Spider Solitaire is the most accessible version of the popular Spider Solitaire series. With simple rules but requiring clear strategy, the game offers challenging card arrangements.
Overview of Strategic Card Gameplay
Spider Solitaire is a card game using two standard decks of 104 cards, but all belong to a single suit. This allows players to focus on arranging and managing card columns instead of dealing with many different suits. Your task is to create complete card sequences from King to Ace. Each completed sequence automatically disappears from the table, freeing up space to continue arranging the remaining cards. When all eight sequences are completed, you win.
How Is The Game Board Arranged?
At the start, all 104 cards are divided into three areas:
Tableau Area
- 10 card columns are placed in the middle of the screen.
- Only the top card of each column is face up.
- The cards below will be gradually unlocked during the game.
Stock Pile
The remaining 50 cards are placed in the stock pile.
Foundation
Each time you complete a sequence from King to Ace, that sequence will automatically move to the Foundation area. You need to complete a total of 8 sequences to finish the game.
Spider Solitaire Rules
The rules are quite simple; players arrange their cards in descending order. You can only place a card one rank higher than a card of the same value.
Examples:
9 placed on 10
J placed on Q
A can only be placed below a 2
Moving Entire Sequence
If multiple cards are already arranged in the correct order consecutively, you can move the entire sequence to another column with a single action.
Unmasking Face-Up Cards
Each time the last face-up card is moved from a column, the face-down card below it will automatically flip over.
Empty Columns Have Special Value
An empty column can contain:
- Any card.
- A complete sequence of cards.
- The more empty space, the easier it is to rearrange long sequences.
How to Win?
You win when:
- Complete all 8 K → A sequences.
- All sequences are moved to Foundation.
- No cards remain on the playing table.
If there are no valid moves and all Stock has been used, the game ends.
Basic Controls
- Left mouse: Drag and drop cards.
- Double-click: Automatically move when valid.
- Undo: Undo a move.
- Hint: Hint.
- New Game: Start a new game.
Tips for Playing Spider Solitaire Effectively
- Reveal face-down cards as early as possible: Each card revealed gives you more options and expands your strategy.
- Keep at least one column empty: An empty column acts as temporary storage space.
- Don't rush to deal cards: If there are still useful moves, utilize them before drawing more cards from the Stock.
- Build long sequences: Instead of focusing on moving individual cards, prioritize creating continuous, descending sequences.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cards and decks does Spider Solitaire use?
Spider is played with two full decks, 104 cards in total. In the 1 Suit version every card is a spade. At the start, 54 cards are dealt into ten columns and the remaining 50 cards form the stock.
Why can I not deal from the stock?
The stock will not deal while any column is empty. Every one of the ten columns must hold at least one card before you can deal. Place any card or run into the empty column first, then click the stock again.
What happens when I complete a King-to-Ace run?
The finished run of thirteen cards is automatically removed from the tableau and placed on a foundation. The two decks contain eight full suits, so you need to complete eight runs to win the game.
Can I move several cards at once?
Yes, as long as they form a run in perfect descending order, such as 9, 8, 7. In the 1 Suit game every card is a spade, so any descending sequence of face-up cards can be picked up and moved together.
Is 1 Suit Spider a good game for beginners?
Yes, it is the easiest version of Spider and the best place to learn. Because every card is the same suit, you can focus on the core skills: uncovering hidden cards, building runs, and managing empty columns. Most 1 Suit deals can be won with patient play.
Is this game free to play?
Yes, Spider Solitaire on this site is completely free. There is nothing to download and no account or sign-up is required. Just open the page and play.
What is a seed?
A seed is the number that identifies a particular shuffle of the cards. Every deal on this site has its own seed, so you can replay the exact same deal later and try a different strategy on it.
Can I play on my phone?
Yes. The game runs in the browser on phones and tablets as well as desktop computers. On a touch screen, drag cards with your finger or double-tap a card to move it automatically.