Spider Solitaire

Objective

The objective is to arrange cards into complete descending sequences from King down to Ace. When a complete same-suit sequence is formed, it is removed from the tableau. You win when all eight sequences have been cleared.

Setup and Play Area

• Spider Solitaire uses ten tableau columns. The first four columns start with six cards and the remaining six columns start with five cards.
• Only the top card of each tableau column is face up at the start. The remaining 50 cards stay in the stock and are dealt later, one card to each tableau column at a time.
• In 1 Suit Spider, every card belongs to the same suit for easier sequencing.

Available Moves

• Move a face-up card onto another card that is exactly one rank higher.
• Move a descending same-suit sequence together as one stack.
• Use empty columns to temporarily park cards or reorganize longer runs.
• Deal from the stock only when each tableau column has at least one card.
• Clear a complete same-suit King-to-Ace sequence automatically once it is built.

Spider Solitaire Strategy

• Reveal face-down cards before making cosmetic moves. Hidden cards are the main source of blocked positions.
• Protect empty columns. They are the best tool for untangling mixed stacks and moving longer sequences.
• In 1 Suit Spider, focus on clean descending runs. You do not need to manage multiple suits, so every move should help reveal cards or create a stronger empty-column setup.
• Delay stock deals until you have made every useful tableau move. A deal can bury useful cards and break promising runs.
• Use undo as a learning tool. If a stock deal or stack move blocks the board, step back and try a different order.

Variants

• 1 Suit Spider is the easiest version and is best for learning the rules.
• 2 Suit Spider keeps the same layout but adds meaningful suit management.
• 4 Suit Spider is the hardest classic version because every clearing sequence must be built in the same suit.