Spider Solitaire
The two-deck classic. Spider uses 104 cards (two standard decks) dealt into ten tableau columns, with the rest reserved as stock. Goal: build eight complete descending sequences from King down to Ace by suit. When a sequence is complete, it's automatically removed from the table. Clear all eight and you win.
The Three Difficulty Modes
- 1 Suit — all 104 cards are the same suit (usually spades). Easiest; strong players win ~80% of hands. Good for learning the rhythm.
- 2 Suits — two suits in the deck. Medium difficulty, around 30% win rate.
- 4 Suits — the classic. All four suits, 5% win rate even for experts. The version Spider purists play.
How to Play Spider
Ten columns. Columns 1–4 have six cards (top one face-up); columns 5–10 have five cards (top one face-up). Build descending sequences in any color. When a sequence runs King-to-Ace in the same suit, it auto-removes.
- You can move single cards or sequences. A sequence only counts if it's all the same suit.
- Empty columns accept any card or group.
- Stuck? Click the stock to deal one card to every column simultaneously. (You must have no empty columns to deal.)
3 Spider Strategy Tips
- Build same-suit when you can. Mixed-suit sequences look right but can't be removed and can't be moved as a group. Same-suit sequences are real progress.
- Keep one column empty before dealing from stock. Dealing forces a card onto every column. An empty column can absorb a problem card.
- Don't rush to deal. Once you deal, the state changes for every column. Exhaust legal tableau moves first.
FAQ
How many decks does Spider use?
Two. 104 cards total.
Why can't I move my sequence?
Spider only lets you move a group if the entire group is the same suit. A mixed-color descending sequence won't drag together.
Is 4-suit Spider really only 5% solvable?
That's roughly the rate for skilled human players. Theoretical optimal play wins more, but even computer solvers struggle past 30%.