Spider Solitaire
Build King-to-Ace runs in the same suit to clear all 104 cards. Choose 1, 2 or 4 suits.
How to use this spider solitaire game
- Pick a difficulty with the Suits option: 1 suit for the easiest game, 2 suits for a middle level, or 4 suits for the hardest. Changing it starts a new game.
- Look at the ten columns. Only the top card of each column is face up. Drag a face-up card, along with any same-suit run below it, onto another column. Or tap or click a card, and the game moves it to the best legal place.
- When you have no useful move, tap the stock or the Deal button to put one face-up card on every column. You cannot deal while any column is empty, so fill empty columns first.
- Stuck? Tap Hint or press H. A useful move is highlighted in gold.
- Made a mistake? Press U or Ctrl/Cmd+Z to undo.
- Keep playing until Done shows 8/8.
On the keyboard, press Tab to reach the board, use the Left and Right arrows to choose a column and the Up and Down arrows to choose a card, then press Enter or Space to move it. D deals, N starts a new game, and F turns on fullscreen. The “Restart this deal” option starts the same deal over. The page address, such as ?seed=123&suits=2, reproduces a specific deal, so you can replay it or share it.
How to play spider solitaire
Spider solitaire starts with 104 cards from two decks laid out in ten columns. Six cards go in each of the first four columns and five in each of the other six, and only the top card of each column is face up. The remaining 50 cards form the stock, which deals in five rounds of ten. Your aim is to build eight complete sequences from King down to Ace, all in one suit.
Spider solitaire rules: how to play each move
A face-up card can go on a card exactly one rank higher, in any suit, so a 7 of hearts can sit on an 8 of spades. Any card or run can be placed in an empty column. Several cards move together only when they form a descending run of one suit, such as 8, 7, 6 of spades. When a face-down card becomes the top card of its column, it turns face up. Dealing is not allowed while any column is empty, and the game flashes the empty columns to show which ones need filling.
Spider solitaire strategy: the basics
Empty columns are your most valuable resource, because any card or run can be parked in one. Build in the same suit whenever you can, since only same-suit runs move as a group and complete. Turn over face-down cards early, especially in the tallest columns. Before each deal, make every useful move and fill the empty columns, because a deal adds a card to every column. A King can only move to an empty column, so do not empty a column just to hold a lone King unless it opens up something useful.
How to win spider solitaire
You win by finishing all eight sequences, and the Done counter tracks your progress toward that. Each completed run leaves the table, so the board gets lighter as you go. Your score starts at 500 and drops by 1 for every move and every deal, while each finished sequence adds 100. The score never goes below 0. The game also records your best winning score for the current number of suits, so you can compare wins at the same difficulty.
Spider solitaire tips and tricks
Hint ranks its suggestions in a fixed order: moves that finish a sequence come first, then same-suit builds, then moves that turn up a face-down card, then moves that empty a column. Use that same order as a checklist when you choose your own moves. Undo is unlimited within the last 300 moves, so you can try a line of play and step back if it fails.
Spider solitaire strategy for 2 suits
With 2 suits (spades and hearts), the main goal is keeping each suit together. When two moves are possible, choose the one that keeps suits together. Avoid burying a card you need under a stack of mixed suits. Use undo to test a line of play before you commit to it.
Spider solitaire strategy for 4 suits
With 4 suits (spades, hearts, clubs, and diamonds, with two of each card), mixed suits build up quickly and same-suit runs are harder to find. Apply the same principles more strictly. Look for same-suit builds first, protect the cards you will need later, and keep at least one column open where you can. Expect that some deals will be harder than others.
Is every spider solitaire game winnable?
No. Not every deal can be won, and this is especially true with 4 suits. The same deal number and suit count always produce the same layout, so if a deal beats you, you can restart it and try a different line.
Frequently asked questions
Is spider solitaire free to play here?
Yes. The game runs in your browser, with no download and no sign-up needed.
Does the game save my progress?
Yes. The game in progress, the suits setting, and your stats for each suit count are saved in the browser. Reloading the page continues your game.
Can I play spider solitaire on my phone?
Yes. The ten columns fit a 375px phone screen, with cards about 31px wide. Fullscreen uses the whole screen.
What is the difference between 1 suit and 4 suits?
1 suit uses all spades, with eight copies of each rank, and is the easiest. 2 suits uses spades and hearts. 4 suits uses spades, hearts, clubs, and diamonds, with two of each card, and is the hardest.
Is there a limit on undo?
Undo is unlimited within the last 300 moves. Undoing a move that finished a sequence takes that 100 points back.
How do I replay the same deal?
Every deal has a number, and the same deal number with the same suit count always gives the same layout. Use the page address, such as ?seed=123&suits=2, to reproduce a deal, or choose “Restart this deal” to start the current one over.
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