What Is Spider Solitaire?
Spider Solitaire is one of the most popular single-player card games in the world, typically played with two standard 52-card decks (104 cards total). The goal is deceptively simple: build eight complete sequences of cards from King down to Ace in the same suit, then remove them from the tableau until the board is clear.
The game gets its name from the eight foundation piles you need to complete — a nod to the eight legs of a spider.
The Setup: How the Cards Are Dealt
Before you make your first move, understanding the initial layout is essential:
- The Tableau: 10 columns of cards are dealt face-down, with only the top card of each column face-up.
- Column distribution: The first four columns receive 6 cards each; the remaining six columns receive 5 cards each — totaling 54 cards in the tableau.
- The Stock: The remaining 50 cards are placed in a draw pile (stock) to the side.
- No Foundation piles at the start: Unlike Klondike Solitaire, there are no pre-existing foundation piles. Completed sequences are simply removed from the tableau.
Basic Rules of Play
Moving Cards
Cards in the tableau can be moved according to these rules:
- You may move any face-up card onto a card that is one rank higher. For example, a 7 can be placed on an 8.
- Moving groups: You may only move a group of cards together if they are in sequence and all of the same suit. Mixed-suit sequences can only be moved one card at a time.
- Any card or valid sequence can be moved to an empty column.
- Kings cannot be placed on any other card — they can only occupy empty columns.
Completing a Sequence
When you build a complete sequence from King (K) down to Ace (A) in the same suit within a single column, that sequence is automatically removed from the tableau. You need to complete 8 such sequences to win the game.
Drawing from the Stock
- When you run out of moves (or choose to), you can deal a new row of cards from the stock.
- Dealing places one card face-up on each of the 10 tableau columns.
- You cannot deal from the stock if any column is empty — all 10 columns must contain at least one card before dealing.
- There are 5 deals available from the stock (50 cards ÷ 10 columns = 5 rounds).
Winning and Losing
You win when all 8 sequences have been completed and removed from the tableau. You lose when no more valid moves exist and the stock is exhausted. Unlike some solitaire variants, Spider Solitaire can genuinely be won with skill and planning — not just luck.
Suit Modes: 1, 2, and 4 Suits
| Mode | Suits Used | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Suit | Spades only | Beginner |
| 2-Suit | Spades & Hearts | Intermediate |
| 4-Suit | All four suits | Expert |
In 1-suit mode, all cards are treated as the same suit, making it much easier to form moveable groups. As you add more suits, the challenge grows significantly.
Key Rules to Remember
- Only same-suit sequences can be moved as a group.
- You must fill all empty columns before drawing from the stock.
- A completed King-to-Ace sequence is removed automatically.
- The game is won when all 8 sequences are removed.
Mastering these rules is the first step toward becoming a skilled Spider Solitaire player. Once the basics are second nature, you can focus on strategy and planning several moves ahead.