How to play Spider Solitaire
Spider is the big sibling of the solitaire family: two full decks, ten columns, and a goal of building eight complete runs from King down to Ace in a single suit. Each finished run leaps off the board — clear all 104 cards and you win.
- Stacking — any card can be placed on a card one rank higher, regardless of suit: a 7♥ sits happily on an 8♠.
- Moving runs — but you can only pick up cards that are in sequence and the same suit. Same-suit order is what you are really building.
- Empty columns — accept any card or run, and are the most valuable real estate on the board.
- The stock — deals one new card onto every column, five deals in total. Every column must have a card before you may deal.
- Difficulty — start with 1 suit to learn the flow, then graduate to 2 and finally the notorious 4-suit game.
Strategy tips that actually win games
- Build same-suit runs whenever possible. A mixed-suit stack is a wall you will have to dismantle one card at a time. If you can choose between two equal moves, always keep suits together.
- Empty a column early — then guard it. An empty column lets you relocate whole runs and untangle mixed stacks. Don't refill it thoughtlessly.
- Flip face-down cards first. Every hidden card is unknown information; columns with the fewest face-down cards are the cheapest to open up.
- Tidy before you deal. Each deal buries every column under a random card. Straighten your runs and expose hidden cards before you commit to a new row.
- Move Kings deliberately. A King placed in an empty column starts a run that can never sit on anything else — only do it when you intend to build on it.
- Use undo to scout. Peeking at what a flip reveals, then undoing, is a legitimate way to plan in a game this deep.
Frequently asked questions
How do you win Spider Solitaire?
You win by building eight complete runs from King down to Ace in a single suit. Each finished run flies off the board automatically; clear all 104 cards and the game is yours.
What is the difference between 1, 2 and 4 suit Spider?
One-suit Spider uses only spades and is the friendliest way to learn — most deals are winnable. Two suits adds hearts and real planning. Four-suit Spider is one of the hardest solitaire games there is; even strong players win well under half their games.
Can I move any stack of cards in Spider Solitaire?
You can place any card on a card one rank higher regardless of suit, but you can only pick UP a run that is in sequence AND all the same suit. That difference is the heart of Spider strategy: mixed-suit stacks are easy to build and painful to unbuild.
Why can I not deal new cards from the stock?
Classic Spider rules require every column to hold at least one card before you deal a new row. Fill any empty columns first — although it often pays to keep a column empty as workspace for as long as possible before dealing.
Is Spider Solitaire good for your brain?
Spider rewards planning several moves ahead, sequencing and working memory more than most solitaire games, especially at 2 and 4 suits. It is a genuine puzzle in card form, and this version tracks your moves, time and score so you can measure your improvement.
More free card games
Want something gentler? Try classic Klondike Solitaire or the almost-always-winnable FreeCell. Prefer a quick puzzle? Clear the board in Pyramid Solitaire.