How Spider solitaire works
Spider uses two full decks (104 cards) laid out in ten columns. Your job is to sort cards into eight complete King-to-Ace runs, one suit at a time.
- Build down in any suit. A 6 of hearts can go on a 7 of spades. Only the rank has to match.
- Move same-suit runs. You can drag a run only if every card in it is the same suit and in order. A 7 of spades, 6 of spades and 5 of spades move together. A 7 of spades with a 6 of hearts on it does not.
- Empty columns take anything. Any card or same-suit run can go into an empty column.
- Deal from the stock. Click the stock to put one new card face up on every column. You get five deals. Every column needs at least one card first.
- Finish a run. When you build a complete suit from King to Ace in one column, it flies off to the top automatically.
Spider solitaire with 1, 2 or 4 suits
1 suit
Every card is a spade. The relaxed version, and the best place to learn. See one suit.
2 suits
Spades and hearts. A real puzzle without being brutal. See two suits.
4 suits
The full game. Slow, hard and very satisfying. See four suits.
Use the 1 suit / 2 suits / 4 suits switch above the table to change level at any time.
Tips for winning more Spider games
- Empty a column early. An empty column is the most useful thing in the game. Prioritise the column with the fewest cards.
- Keep runs in one suit. When you have a choice between two cards to build on, pick the one of the same suit so your run stays movable.
- Turn over hidden cards first. New information beats a tidy-looking column.
- Deal last. Each deal buries your columns under ten new cards. Make every useful move before you click the stock.
- Use Undo. It is unlimited. Try a line, see where it leads, and step back.
Other games
Frequently asked questions
How do I win Spider solitaire?
Build eight complete runs from King down to Ace, each in a single suit. Every finished run is removed from the table automatically. When all eight are gone you have won.
What can I move in Spider?
You can place a card on any card one rank higher, whatever its suit. But you can only pick up a run of cards that are all the same suit and in order. Mixed-suit runs have to be taken apart a card at a time.
Why can I not deal a new row?
You must have at least one card in every column before you deal from the stock. Fill any empty column first, then click the stock again.
What is the difference between 1, 2 and 4 suits?
With one suit every card is a spade, so any run is a same-suit run and the game is the easiest. Two suits (spades and hearts) is medium. Four suits is the hardest, and most deals cannot be won without careful planning.
How is Spider scored?
You start with 500 points, lose one point for every move (dealing a row counts as a move) and gain 100 points for each completed suit. The leaderboard ranks by finishing time, not score.
Is every deal winnable?
No. Deals are random. Nearly all one-suit deals can be won with careful play; four-suit deals are far harder, so do not be discouraged by a loss. Use Undo to try another line.