How Big Spider works
If you know Spider, you already know Big Spider. There are just more cards, more columns and more runs to finish.
- Layout. 156 cards from three decks. Thirteen columns start with six cards each, and only the top card of each is face up. The other 78 cards are the stock.
- Building. Place a card on any card exactly one rank higher, in any suit. A 6 can go on any 7.
- Moving. You can pick up a card, or a run of cards, only if they are all the same suit and in order.
- Dealing. Click the stock to deal one card face up onto every column. You cannot deal while a column is empty.
- Finishing. When a column holds King down to Ace in one suit, the run is removed. Twelve runs win.
One, two or four suits
Use the switch above the table to choose how many suits are in play. The number of cards is always 156.
- 1 suit. Every card is a spade, so every run is a same-suit run. This is the easy version.
- 2 suits. Spades and hearts. You have to start paying attention to which card goes where.
- 4 suits. The full deck, three times over. This is very hard, and most deals will not be won.
Tips for Big Spider
- Empty a column, but do not count on it. An empty column gives you room to move, but you must fill it before you can deal.
- Work on one run at a time. With thirteen columns, it is easy to start many runs and finish none. Pick a suit and build it.
- Turn over the hidden cards first. Five of the six cards in each column start face down. Uncovering them gives you options.
- Deal late. Each deal puts thirteen more cards on the table and covers up what you were working on. Make every move you can first.
- Use Undo. It is unlimited, and a game this long is easier to plan with it.
Big Spider compared with Spider
| Big Spider | Spider | |
|---|---|---|
| Decks | 3 (156 cards) | 2 (104 cards) |
| Columns | 13 | 10 |
| Cards dealt to the columns | 78 (six in each) | 54 |
| Stock | 78 cards, six deals of 13 | 50 cards, five deals of 10 |
| Runs to build | 12 | 8 |
Other games
Frequently asked questions
What is Big Spider solitaire?
It is Spider solitaire played with three decks instead of two. There are 156 cards, thirteen columns, and twelve complete runs from King down to Ace to build.
How do you play Big Spider solitaire?
Thirteen columns of six cards are dealt, with only the top card of each face up. You can place a card on any card one rank higher, whatever the suit, but you can only pick up a run that is all one suit. The stock deals one card face up to every column.
How many cards are in the stock?
78 cards at the start, which is six deals of thirteen. The columns take the other 78 cards.
How do you win Big Spider?
Build twelve runs from King down to Ace, each in a single suit. Each finished run leaves the table, and when the twelfth is gone you have won.
Why can I not deal from the stock?
Every column needs at least one card before you can deal. Fill any empty column, then click the stock again.
Is Big Spider harder than Spider?
In some ways it is easier and in some it is harder. With more copies of each card, the one you need is often within reach, but there are far more cards to sort and each mistake can bury more of them. Starting with one suit is gentle; four suits is a serious test.
Are the rules the same on other websites?
The idea is the same, but sites differ in details such as the number of columns and the size of the deal. This version uses thirteen columns and six deals from the stock.