Spider Solitaire
Build eight runs from king down to ace. Choose 1, 2 or 4 suits.
About Spider
Spider Solitaire uses two packs of cards laid out in ten columns. Your aim is to build eight complete runs from king down to ace in a single suit, and each finished run leaves the table. The number of suits sets the difficulty, from one suit, which most players can win, to four suits, which is a real test of planning.
How to play Spider
- Place any card on a card that is one rank higher. The suit does not matter for this.
- Move several cards together only when they are in one suit and in order, such as the 8, 7 and 6 of spades.
- Any card or run can go into an empty column.
- Click the stock at the top left to deal one new card onto every column. Under the strict classic rule every column must hold a card first, and you can switch that rule on when you start a game.
- When a column shows king down to ace in one suit, that run is cleared from the table.
- Clear all eight runs to win.
Tips for Spider
Build in one suit whenever you can
Only a run in a single suit moves as a group. When you have a choice between two cards that fit, pick the one that keeps the suit together.
Empty a column as early as you can
An empty column is the most useful space on the table because any card or run can go there.
Turn over face down cards before you deal
Each deal buries your work under ten new cards, so use up your useful moves first.
Think before you move onto a card of another suit
A mixed run is stuck until the cards under it are moved. Do it only when it frees a card you need.
Use Undo to explore
Spider rewards trying a plan and taking it back. Undo is free in every level.
Spider levels
- Spider Easy
Easy Spider uses one suit, so every card is a spade and any run can move as a group. - Spider Medium
Medium Spider uses two suits, spades and hearts. This is the classic challenge. - Spider Hard
Hard Spider uses all four suits. Fewer runs can move as a group, games are long, and patience and planning matter more than speed. - Spider Near impossible
Near impossible Spider uses four suits on deals that have each been solved once.
Questions about Spider
How many suits should I choose?
Start with 1 suit to learn the game. Two suits is the classic challenge for most players. Four suits is the hardest version and many deals cannot be won.
What is the strict deal rule?
Under the strict classic rule you may not deal a new row while any column is empty. Solitaire Craft lets you choose, and if a game stalls because of the rule it offers to relax it for that game.
Why do I need two packs?
A full game needs eight complete suits of 13 cards, so Spider uses 104 cards, which is two standard packs.
Can Spider always be won?
Not always. With one suit nearly every deal can be won. With four suits many cannot. The Near impossible level uses deals that were solved at least once.
Does Spider cost anything to play?
No. It is free and needs no sign in.
More games
Klondike, FreeCell, TriPeaks, or see all of the games.