By Noyon Rahman · Updated August 2026 · Reviewed for accuracy against the live game

About Spider Solitaire

Spider Solitaire is the most strategic member of the solitaire family and the card game that made Windows users everywhere miss their deadlines in the 1990s. Two full decks are dealt into ten tableau columns, and the goal is to assemble eight complete sequences from King down to Ace — each one vanishing from the table when finished. Unlike Klondike, there are no foundations to build toward and no waste pile; everything happens on the tableau, and every card is dealt face up after the first row. The one-suit version is a relaxing logic puzzle, while the four-suit game is one of the hardest card challenges in existence.

How to Play Spider Solitaire

Cards are dealt into ten columns, with only the top card of each face up. You may move any face-up card, or a descending same-suit run of face-up cards, onto a card of the next higher rank — a 7 onto an 8, a run of 6-5-4 onto a 7, and so on. An empty column can receive any card or run. When you assemble a full King-to-Ace sequence in one suit, it is removed from the table automatically. When no more moves are possible, deal a new row of ten cards from the stock — you have five deals in total. Complete all eight sequences to win.

Tips & Strategies

Build only same-suit runs. Mixed runs can be moved but can never be completed into a vanishing sequence.
Empty columns are precious — use them to park a long run temporarily, then rebuild them for King mobility.
Turn over face-down cards as a priority; every hidden card is potential movement you cannot yet see.
Do not deal from the stock until you have made every useful move on the tableau first.
In one-suit mode, move cards freely to expose the tableau — the game is about order, not color.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between one-suit and four-suit Spider?

One-suit uses a single suit, so every card can eventually be sequenced — the puzzle is purely about ordering. Four-suit uses all four suits, and since sequences must be same-suit, the game becomes dramatically harder and demands careful planning about which suits you expose.

How is scoring calculated?

You start at 500 points. Each move costs one point, dealing a new row costs 100, and completing a King-to-Ace sequence earns 100 back. The goal is to finish with as high a score as possible.

Is every Spider deal winnable?

Not every deal is solvable, especially in four-suit mode where some layouts are mathematically unwinnable. One-suit deals are very frequently winnable with careful play, which is what makes it such a good training ground.

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Spider Solitaire