Play Spider Solitaire Online for Free

Spider Solitaire is often considered one of the most engaging and difficult variations of Solitaire. Played with two standard 52-card decks (for a total of 104 cards), the game challenges players to create descending sequences of cards (from King down to Ace) in the same suit. Once a complete sequence is formed, it’s removed from the table. The ultimate goal is to remove all cards, clearing the board entirely.

Our Spider Solitaire Games provides adjustable difficulty levels—ranging from one suit (easiest) to four suits (hardest). This game includes helpful features such as hint, undo option, and trackable statistics.

How to Play Spider Solitaire

1. Initial Setup

   • Shuffle 104 cards and deal 10 columns (the “tableau”).
   • The first four columns each get six cards, with only the top card face-up; the remaining six columns each get five cards, with only the top card face-up.
   • The rest of the cards form the “stock,” which you’ll draw from to refill tableau columns.

2. Building Sequences in the Tableau

   • You can move any face-up card (and any cards on top of it in a sequence) onto another card one rank higher (e.g., a 9 on a 10). Suits don’t matter for stacking, unless you’re aiming for a pure-suit run.
   • However, to clear a completed sequence (King through Ace), all cards in that sequence must be of the same suit.

3. Dealing from the Stock

   • Once you have no more moves (or choose to draw), click the stock to deal one new card onto each of the 10 columns.
   • Note: In many versions, you can’t draw from the stock if there’s an empty column—some rules require you to fill all tableau columns before drawing.

4. Winning the Game

   • Form full suit sequences (King-Queen-Jack-…-2-Ace) and remove them from the board. You win once all cards have been cleared.

Interesting Facts About Spider Solitaire

1. Origin of the Name

   • It’s called “Spider” Solitaire because a spider has eight legs, and the game typically revolves around eight foundation runs (though you can create more than eight sets across two decks).

2. Included in Windows

   • Spider Solitaire gained mainstream popularity when Microsoft added it to its Windows operating systems, much like Klondike (traditional Solitaire).

3. Difficulty Levels

   • You can adjust suits for different challenge levels:
     • One Suit (usually all spades or hearts) – easiest version
     • Two Suits – moderate difficulty
     • Four Suits – the hardest and most complex variant

4. Skill vs. Luck

   • While every deal is somewhat dependent on the shuffle, Spider Solitaire places a strong emphasis on skillful organization and forward planning.

5. Multiple Runs

   • You’re not limited to one run of each suit at a time. You might build multiple partial runs across the tableau, rearranging them until you can form complete sequences.

Tips and Tricks

1. Focus on Same-Suit Stacks

   • Whenever possible, stack cards of the same suit together. This makes it easier to form a complete sequence, which can then be cleared in one go.

2. Uncover Hidden Cards Early

   • Aim to flip face-down cards by clearing the cards on top of them. More visible cards increase your options and help you plan better sequences.

3. Utilize Empty Columns

   • Free columns are powerful. They allow you to temporarily store sequences while you rearrange other columns. Strive to create at least one empty column early in the game.

4. Don’t Rush the Stock

   • Only deal from the stock when you’ve run out of productive moves. Adding new cards too early can clutter the tableau and complicate your layout.

5. Use the Undo Feature (If Available)

   • If you’re playing online, the undo button can save you from a poor move or help you experiment with different arrangements.

Strategies for Winning

1. Plan Multi-Card Moves

   • Move entire sequences if they maintain descending order, even if they’re not all the same suit. You can reorganize them later—especially if you have at least one free column.

2. Aim to Expose Aces and Kings

   • Aces allow you to complete sequences from 2 all the way down, and Kings provide a solid “base” for new stacks. Freeing these cards can significantly impact your progress.

3. Create and Preserve Empty Columns

   • The more empty columns you have, the easier it is to shuffle large sequences around. This is crucial for properly sorting suits and exposing hidden cards.

4. Prioritize One Suit at a Time

   • If the game deals multiple suits, try focusing on completing at least one suit run as soon as you can, since removing a full run opens more space for organizing other suits.

5. Keep Track of Unseen Cards

   • Knowing which ranks remain hidden can guide you. If you know a certain column likely contains cards you need (e.g., a missing Queen to complete a K-Q-J run), prioritize uncovering that column.

Spider Solitaire is a compelling blend of strategic foresight, resourcefulness, and a dash of luck. By focusing on same-suit runs, managing your tableau space wisely, and planning your moves well ahead, you’ll be on your way to becoming a Spider Solitaire pro. Enjoy the game, and may your sequences be ever in your favor!

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