How to Play Spider Solitaire

Object of the Game

The object of Spider Solitaire is to remove every card from the tableau. Cards clear when you build a complete sequence from King down to Ace in the same suit.

A standard Spider game uses 104 cards. CardGamesHQ currently offers 1-suit, 2-suit, and 4-suit modes, so the rules stay familiar while the difficulty changes.

Basic Setup

The tableau has ten columns. At the start of the game, some cards are face down and the top card of each column is face up. The remaining cards stay in the stock and can be dealt later.

In 1-suit Spider, all cards behave as one suit for easier sequence building. In 2-suit and 4-suit Spider, suits matter more because only same-suit complete sequences can clear.

How a Turn Works

• Move a face-up card onto a card one rank higher.
• Move a descending same-suit stack together when the stack is in proper order.
• Place any movable card or valid stack into an empty column.
• Deal one new card to each tableau column from the stock when you need more moves.
• Complete a same-suit King-to-Ace sequence to clear it from the board.

Beginner Tips

Start with 1-suit Spider if you are learning. It lets you focus on uncovering cards, opening empty columns, and building long sequences without juggling multiple suits.

Try to uncover face-down cards before making cosmetic moves. Empty columns are powerful because they let you reorganize stacks and reach buried cards.