Spiderette Solitaire Four Suits is a challenging yet rewarding single-deck card game that puts a fun twist on the classic Spider Solitaire. It’s essentially Spider’s “little sibling,” played with one deck instead of two, making for a quicker game while still maintaining Spider’s strategic depth. In this friendly guide, we’ll introduce what Spiderette Four Suits is and why it’s great for casual players and seniors, explain how to play Spiderette Solitaire step by step, delve into its history, and share useful tips and tricks. If you enjoy card games for seniors that keep the mind sharp, or you’re a solitaire fan looking for a new challenge, Spiderette Four Suits might be the perfect game for you. (You can even play Spiderette Solitaire Four Suits online for free on SolitaireX.io — a convenient way to try the game on your computer, tablet, or phone.)
How to Play Spiderette Solitaire Four Suits (Rules & Gameplay)
Screenshot: A Spiderette Solitaire Four Suits game in progress. The game uses a 7-column layout similar to Klondike Solitaire, with only the top cards face-up. The goal is to build sequences of cards down from King to Ace in the same suit. Completed in-suit sequences are moved to the foundations (off-screen) to clear the tableau. Playing online provides a clear view and easy controls for moving cards and dealing new rows.
Spiderette Solitaire (Four Suits) follows rules very similar to classic Spider Solitaire, but adapted to a single 52-card deck and a Klondike-style layout. Here’s a breakdown of the setup and rules:
Setup & Layout: Shuffle one standard 52-card deck. Deal out 7 tableau piles with a Klondike-style distribution: 1 card in the first pile, 2 cards in the second, 3 in the third, and so on up to 7 cards in the seventh pile (using 28 cards total). The top card of each pile is face-up, and all cards beneath are face-down. The remaining 24 cards become the stock (set aside to be dealt later in the game). There are no separate foundation piles visible initially; when sequences are completed, they’ll be moved off the tableau into foundations automatically.
Objective: The goal is to clear all cards from the tableau by assembling them into sequences of King down to Ace in the same suit. Each complete King-to-Ace suited sequence can be removed to a foundation. Since this is the four-suit variant, you’ll ultimately need to form 4 such sequences (one in each suit ♠️♥️♣️♦️) to win the game.
Building Tableau Piles: You can build cards in descending order by rank on the tableau piles – regardless of suit or color. For example, any Queen can be placed on any King, a Jack on a Queen, and so on, without needing to match suits. However, in-suit sequences are special: if the cards are in perfect descending order and all of the same suit, they form a continuous sequence that can be moved together as a unit. If the sequence has mixed suits, you’re more limited – you may only move those cards one by one until you reassemble them into a single-suit run.
Moving Cards and Sequences: You can move single cards or a valid in-suit sequence of cards from the top of one pile onto another pile, as long as the move respects the descending rank order rule. For instance, you could move a 7♦ onto an 8♣ (since 7 is one rank lower than 8). If that 7♦ is part of a sequence 7-6-5 all in ♦♦♦, you can move the whole block onto an 8♣ if needed (though breaking the suit will mean you can’t move it as a group again until reassembled). Empty tableau piles can be filled with any available card or sequence – creating an empty space is often very useful for maneuvering cards. Keep in mind Kings are the highest rank – they can only go onto an empty pile since nothing above King exists to build on.
Dealing from the Stock: When you run out of moves or get stuck, you can deal a new row of cards from the stock. Click or turn the stock pile to deal one card onto each tableau pile, face-up. This will add 7 new cards (one per column) on top of the existing piles (except the last deal, which will have only 3 cards since the stock has 24 cards total). Important: You are not allowed to deal from the stock if there is any empty tableau pile – all piles must have at least one card before dealing. If you have an empty space, you must fill it (with a King or any movable sequence) before dealing. There are no redeals; the stock can be used only once, so use it wisely. Typically, players save dealing until they have made all other possible moves on the tableau.
Winning the Game: Whenever you manage to assemble a full King-to-Ace sequence in the same suit on the tableau, it will be removed from play (either automatically to a foundation or you may manually move it to a designated foundation area, depending on the platform). This clears those cards from the tableau, freeing up those piles for new sequences. To win, keep forming and removing such suited runs. In Spiderette Four Suits, you need to remove all 52 cards, which means forming four suited sequences total (one of each suit). Once the tableau is completely cleared, congratulations – you’ve won! 🎉
Spiderette Solitaire Four Suits is considered an advanced difficulty solitaire. In fact, because all four suits are in play, only a small percentage of deals are winnable (often ~5–10% win rate). Don’t let that discourage you – the challenge is what makes it fun! Every loss teaches you more about the game, and when you do win, it feels extremely rewarding. Next, we’ll look at a bit of the background of this game and then offer some strategy tips to improve your chances of victory.
History and Origin of Spiderette Solitaire
Spiderette is a variant of solitaire that evolved from the popular Spider Solitaire. To understand Spiderette’s origin, it helps to know a bit about Spider itself. Spider Solitaire originated around 1949, and the name “Spider” comes from the spider’s eight legs – a nod to the eight foundation piles you must fill to win in the two-deck Spider game. Spider became widely known after its inclusion in digital form (e.g. Microsoft’s Windows Solitaire collection in the late 1990s), and its success led to many spin-offs and related games.
Spiderette Solitaire emerged as a “mini” Spider for those who wanted a similar challenge but in a shorter game. In fact, the name Spiderette literally means “little Spider,” reflecting that it’s basically a smaller version with fewer cards and columns. The Spiderette layout uses 7 columns (like Klondike Solitaire) instead of Spider’s 10, and only one deck instead of two. This variant was first documented in 1949 by famed card game authors Albert H. Morehead and Geoffrey Mott-Smith, who included Spiderette in their book The Complete Book of Solitaire & Patience Games. That early mention suggests Spiderette was likely being played by solitaire enthusiasts earlier in the 20th century, even if it wasn’t as mainstream as some older solitaires.
Spiderette’s rules were later popularized through solitaire collections and computer games. Notably, Geoffrey Mott-Smith (co-author of the 1949 book) also invented a closely related one-deck Spider variant called Will o’ the Wisp around the same time, which has a slightly different initial deal. Throughout the late 20th century and into the 2000s, Spiderette gained a following thanks to digital solitaire apps, which made dealing one deck far more convenient and quick. Players who found managing two decks in Spider Solitaire unwieldy gravitated to Spiderette for a faster experience. It offers the strategic depth of Spider but with a familiar Klondike-like setup that many players (especially those who grew up with classic solitaire) find approachable.
It’s also interesting to note that solitaire games in general have a long history as a pastime. The genre of “patience” card games (the British term for solitaire) goes back to at least the 18th century in Europe. In those times, playing card solitaire was a popular way to pass the time among nobles and commoners alike. There’s even a legend that Napoleon Bonaparte played solitaire during his exile in Saint Helena in the early 1800s! While Spiderette itself didn’t exist in Napoleon’s day, it carries on the long tradition of solitaire games providing thoughtful entertainment. Over the years, Spiderette has stood the test of time, appearing in countless solitaire game collections and now thriving online. Its enduring appeal comes from the clever blend of a Klondike layout with Spider mechanics – a mix of familiarity and challenge that keeps players coming back for “just one more game.”
Tips, Tricks, and Strategies for Spiderette Four Suits
Spiderette Solitaire Four Suits can be tough to beat, but it’s not impossible. With the right strategies, both beginners and experienced players can improve their odds of winning or at least enjoy a more satisfying game. Here are some useful tips and tricks for playing Spiderette Four Suits:
Prioritize Revealing Face-Down Cards: In Spiderette, uncovering hidden cards early should be your top priority. Every face-down card could be a key to freeing up moves. Whenever you have a choice of moves, consider the one that flips a face-down card first – gaining new information and cards to play will usually outweigh other moves. The more cards you have face-up, the better you can plan your strategy.
Create and Use Empty Columns Wisely: Empty tableau piles are extremely valuable in Spiderette. When a column is cleared of all cards, you can use that space to temporarily park cards or sequences, which gives you great flexibility. Try to free up at least one column as soon as possible, and preserve empty spaces until you really need them. For example, you might clear a pile and hold off filling it until a crucial moment. Remember, you cannot deal from the stock if a column is empty – so before hitting “deal,” fill any empty piles (ideally with a King or a long sequence starting with a King). Many expert players intentionally clear a column right before dealing a new row, to maximize the options for placing the incoming cards.
Build Sequences in Suit Whenever Possible: While you can stack cards in mixed suits, those sequences become “stuck” because you can’t move a mixed chain as a unit. Therefore, try to arrange cards in proper suit order whenever the opportunity arises. For example, if you have a 10♣ and 9♣ available, prefer to put the 9♣ on the 10♣ rather than on a 10 of another suit. In-suit runs (like 10-9-8-… all ♣) are the building blocks you need to ultimately clear cards off the board. If you have some mixed sequences, that’s okay – sometimes you must intermingle suits to free cards – but work on untangling them into suited sequences as the game progresses.
Use the Stock (Deal) at the Right Time: The stock can be a lifesaver when you’re out of moves, but using it at the wrong time can bury good sequences. Don’t deal new cards too early. First, make every move you can, and ideally get as many face-down cards uncovered and columns emptied as possible before dealing. Each time you deal a row from the stock, it will cover up the current top cards of every pile, potentially blocking some sequences you were building. Thus, you want the tableau in the best shape possible (with lots of open moves and perhaps an empty column ready) to handle the influx of new cards. Since you only get a limited number of deals (three deals of 7 cards, and one final partial deal of 3 cards), think of the stock as a limited resource – use it when you’re truly stuck or have optimized your current layout.
Mind the Kings (and Other High Cards): Kings are unique because they can only go into an empty spot. This means if a King is buried under other cards, those cards effectively can’t be moved to another column (because you can’t put anything on top of that King). Try to expose Kings and move them to empty columns as soon as feasible. Similarly, keep track of where your high-ranking cards (Queens, Jacks) are; they have more limited places they can move. A good rule of thumb from experienced players is to build on higher-ranked cards before lower ones when you have a choice. For instance, if you can place a 5♠ onto a 6♥ or onto a 6♣, and one of those will free a higher card or empty a pile, prioritize the move that involves the higher cards. Avoid trapping a King deep in a pile without a plan to free it, or you might find that column unusable later.
Plan for All Four Suits: In the four-suit game, an expert tip is to be conscious of distributing your attention among all suits. Sometimes you’ll get a run of cards in one suit – go ahead and build that out, but also be aware of what suits are lagging. If you notice, for example, that you haven’t uncovered many ♠ Spades yet, that might mean a lot of spades are still face-down or in the stock, which could cause trouble later. Try to keep suit sequences balanced and don’t focus exclusively on one suit for too long. This “suit tracking” can become an advanced skill – some players mentally note which suits (or specific key cards like Aces and Kings) are still missing, to inform their next moves. In short, be ready to switch gears if another suit becomes more available.
For Beginners – Try Easier Suit Variations First: If you’re new to Spiderette or find Four Suits too difficult at first, remember that you can also play Spiderette in easier modes. One Suit Spiderette (all cards treated as one suit) and Two Suits Spiderette are great for practice. These versions reduce the complexity: one-suit games let you focus purely on sequence building without worrying about suit matching, and two-suit games give a moderate challenge. Many players start with those and work their way up to the full four-suit game. Practicing on the easier settings will help you master the basic strategy, so when you return to Four Suits you’ll have more skill (and confidence) to handle the extra difficulty.
Stay Patient and Enjoy the Challenge: Finally, a tip that’s more about mindset – be patient and have fun. Spiderette Four Suits has a low win rate by design, so you won’t win every game you play, and that’s okay! Treat each game as a puzzle. Even experienced players might only win a small fraction of their games. Use each attempt to improve your strategy rather than expecting to win outright every time. When you do complete that last sequence and win, it will feel amazing. Remember that solitaire is ultimately about relaxing and engaging your mind. Take your time, undo moves if your platform allows, and enjoy the process of untangling the “web” of cards.
A Great Card Game for Seniors and Casual Players
One of the reasons Spiderette Solitaire Four Suits online has a devoted following is that it appeals to a wide range of players – including seniors and casual gamers. Solitaire games are known to be beneficial for older adults, providing gentle mental exercise and entertainment. In fact, card games can improve cognitive functions like memory, organization, and strategic thinking. Solitaire in particular is often cited as one of the best card games for seniors, because it’s played solo (no pressure from competition), and you can play at your own pace and on your own schedule. This makes it ideal for relaxation and keeping the mind engaged without stress.
Spiderette Solitaire adds to that formula a nice mix of familiarity and challenge. The basic layout is similar to the classic solitaire many people learned when they were younger, so it feels familiar. At the same time, the Spiderette rules introduce a new twist that can be very engaging – there’s a deeper level of strategy in planning out moves with four suits. This balance can be very satisfying for casual players who want something more stimulating than plain Klondike but not as lengthy as full two-deck Spider. Seniors often appreciate that solitaire games like Spiderette keep the brain active through sorting, planning, and problem-solving, which might even help in maintaining cognitive health as some research suggests.
Another advantage of playing Spiderette Solitaire on a modern platform is the convenience. There’s no shuffling or setup to do by hand – the computer deals the cards in seconds. You also have features like undo and hints available in most online versions, which can help you learn and experiment without frustration. On SolitaireX, for example, you can play in full-screen mode with large, easy-to-read cards (great for older eyes), track your statistics or compete on leaderboards if you like, and switch between one-suit, two-suit, or four-suit games easily. The game works on any device, so whether you’re using a tablet on the couch or a desktop computer, you can enjoy a smooth experience. All of this makes Spiderette Solitaire Four Suits an accessible and enjoyable choice among card games for seniors and casual gamers alike.
In conclusion, Spiderette Solitaire Four Suits offers the best of both worlds: it’s a familiar solitaire setup that anyone can try, yet it provides an expert-level challenge that can keep you intrigued for hours. Whether you’re a senior looking for a brain-boosting pastime or a casual player seeking a new solo game online, Spiderette is well worth a try. Ready to play? Head over to SolitaireX and start untangling those cards in Spiderette Solitaire Four Suits online. Good luck, and have fun honing your skills in this entertaining classic! 🕸️🃏