How to Play Spider Solitaire: Everything You Need to Know

Spider Solitaire is one of the most rewarding and challenging card games ever created. Named after its eight foundation sequences (like a spider’s eight legs), this two-deck Solitaire variant rewards careful planning, patience, and the ability to think many moves ahead.

This guide covers everything from the basics for complete beginners to advanced strategies for experienced players. By the end, you’ll understand exactly how Spider works and have the tools to start winning.

Want to jump right in? Play Spider Solitaire free online →

What Makes Spider Different from Regular Solitaire?

If you’re familiar with Klondike Solitaire (the classic version), here are the key differences:

Feature Klondike Spider
Decks 1 (52 cards) 2 (104 cards)
Columns 7 10
Building rule Alternating colors Any card on higher rank
Group movement Alternating-color sequences Same-suit sequences only
Foundations Build Ace to King by suit Complete K-to-A same-suit runs removed automatically
Goal Move all cards to 4 foundations Complete 8 same-suit sequences

Setup

Two standard 52-card decks are shuffled together (104 cards total):

  • 10 tableau columns are dealt:
    • Columns 1-4: 6 cards each (5 face-down, 1 face-up)
    • Columns 5-10: 5 cards each (4 face-down, 1 face-up)
  • 50 remaining cards form the stock pile (dealt in groups of 10)
  • No foundation piles are visible — completed sequences leave automatically

How to Play: Step by Step

Step 1: Understand the Tableau Rules

You can place any card on top of another card that is one rank higher, regardless of suit:

  • A 5 can go on any 6 ✓
  • A Jack can go on any Queen ✓
  • A 3 can go on any 4 ✓

Step 2: Build Same-Suit Sequences

While you can place cards of any suit, only same-suit sequences can be moved together as a group. This is the most important rule in Spider:

  • A run of ♠5-♠4-♠3 (all Spades) can be moved together ✓
  • A run of ♠5-♥4-♠3 (mixed suits) cannot be moved as a group ✗ — each card must be moved individually

This is why building in the same suit whenever possible is the #1 strategy in Spider.

Step 3: Complete King-to-Ace Sequences

When you build a complete 13-card sequence in the same suit from King down to Ace (K-Q-J-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-A), the entire sequence is automatically removed from the tableau.

Your goal: complete all 8 such sequences (2 per suit, since you’re using 2 decks).

Step 4: Reveal Hidden Cards

When you move a card that was covering a face-down card, the hidden card is automatically flipped face-up. Revealing hidden cards is critical — every new card opens up new possibilities.

Step 5: Deal from the Stock

When no more moves are available (or when you choose to), click the stock pile to deal one new face-up card to each of the 10 columns simultaneously. Important: every column must contain at least one card before you can deal.

There are 5 deals in the stock (50 cards ÷ 10 cards per deal).

Step 6: Win the Game

The game is won when all 8 King-to-Ace same-suit sequences have been completed and removed.

Choosing Your Difficulty

Spider Solitaire has three difficulty modes based on how many suits are used:

One Suit (Beginner)

All 104 cards are the same suit. Since suit doesn’t matter for grouping, every run can be moved as a group. This lets you focus on learning column management and dealing strategy. Win rate: 80-90%.

Two Suits (Intermediate)

Two suits are used (typically Spades and Hearts). Now the same-suit grouping constraint applies — you need to think about which suit you’re building in each column. Win rate: 20-30%.

Four Suits (Expert)

All four suits are in play. Building clean same-suit runs of 13 is extremely difficult with four suits competing. Every placement decision matters enormously. Win rate: 10-15%.

Our recommendation: Start with one suit. Master it until you win 8 out of 10 games. Then move to two suits. Only tackle four suits once you’re comfortable with two.

Winning Strategies

Strategy 1: Always Build in the Same Suit

This is the most important rule. When you have a choice between placing a card on a same-suit run versus a different-suit run, always choose the same-suit option. Mixed-suit runs become dead weight because they can’t be moved as groups.

Strategy 2: Prioritize Revealing Face-Down Cards

Every hidden card you reveal gives you more information and options. If a move will flip a face-down card, it’s almost always worth doing.

Strategy 3: Create Empty Columns

Empty columns are your most powerful asset — they act as temporary storage for rearranging cards. Try to create at least one empty column as early as possible, and protect it.

Strategy 4: Don’t Deal Too Early

Each deal adds 10 new cards and dramatically increases complexity. Exhaust every possible move before dealing from the stock. Sometimes a seemingly dead board has hidden moves.

Strategy 5: Think in Terms of Suits

Track which suits have the most exposed cards and focus on completing those sequences first. Don’t spread your effort equally — concentrate on the suits closest to completion.

Strategy 6: Use Undo Liberally

Spider is a game of experimentation. Try moves, observe consequences, and undo when needed. There’s no penalty for undoing, and it’s the best way to learn.

Common Mistakes

  1. Mixing suits carelessly. Every mixed-suit placement creates a card that can’t be grouped. Be deliberate.
  2. Dealing from stock too early. Always look for all possible moves first.
  3. Neglecting empty columns. They’re more valuable than any specific card move.
  4. Focusing on only one sequence. Spread your progress across multiple suits.
  5. Giving up too soon. Spider games can look hopeless but have hidden solutions. Use undo to explore.

Ready to Play?

Now that you know the rules and strategies, it’s time to put your skills to the test: