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Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Spider Solitaire, from basic rules to advanced strategy and game mechanics.
General Questions
What is Spider Solitaire?
Spider Solitaire is a patience (solitaire) card game played with two standard 52-card decks shuffled together (104 cards total). Cards are dealt into ten tableau columns, and the goal is to build eight complete same-suit sequences from King down to Ace. When a complete sequence is formed, it is removed from the tableau. The game is won when all eight sequences have been completed.
How many cards are used in Spider Solitaire?
Spider Solitaire uses 104 cards (two full standard decks). At the start, 54 cards are dealt to the tableau and 50 cards remain in the stock pile, divided into five deals of ten cards each.
What are the different difficulty levels?
Spider Solitaire is played at three difficulty levels. 1-suit uses only Spades and is best for beginners. 2-suit uses Spades and Hearts, offering a moderate challenge. 4-suit uses all four suits and is the most difficult version, intended for experienced players.
Is every Spider Solitaire game winnable?
No, not every deal is winnable. In 1-suit Spider, nearly all games (around 99%) can be won with perfect play. In 2-suit Spider, roughly 25-35% of games are winnable with strong play. In 4-suit Spider, estimates suggest only about 8-15% of games are winnable even with optimal strategy. Part of the skill is recognizing when a game is still salvageable and making the best moves possible.
Rules Questions
Can I move cards of different suits onto each other?
Yes, you can place any single card on a card that is one rank higher regardless of suit. However, only same-suit sequences can be moved as a group. For example, you can place a 5 of Hearts on a 6 of Clubs, but you cannot then pick up both cards together as a group because they are different suits.
When can I deal from the stock?
You can deal from the stock at any time, as long as all ten tableau columns contain at least one card. If any column is empty, you must place a card there before dealing. Each deal distributes one card face-up to each of the ten columns.
What happens when I complete a King-to-Ace sequence?
When a complete sequence of thirteen cards of the same suit in descending order (King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, Ace) is formed on a tableau column, the entire sequence is automatically removed from play. This frees up space in that column and brings you one step closer to winning.
Can I place any card in an empty column?
Yes, any single card or any valid same-suit sequence can be moved to an empty column. There are no restrictions on which cards can fill an empty space, unlike some other solitaire games that only allow Kings in empty spaces.
Strategy Questions
What is the most important strategy tip?
The most important tip is to create and preserve empty columns. Empty columns give you the flexibility to rearrange cards, break apart off-suit builds, and temporarily store cards while you work toward completing suit sequences. Treat empty columns as your most valuable resource.
Should I always build in suit?
You should strongly prefer in-suit builds, but off-suit builds are sometimes necessary, especially in 4-suit Spider where only one in four cards matches your suit. The key is to build off-suit intentionally and temporarily, always with a plan to break the off-suit sequence apart later when better options arise.
When should I deal from the stock?
Deal from the stock only after you have exhausted all useful moves on the current tableau. Before dealing, try to uncover face-down cards, build same-suit sequences, and ideally create at least one empty column. Once you deal, the new cards may bury useful sequences, so maximize your progress first.
How do I improve my win rate?
Practice consistently, starting with 1-suit to master the fundamentals before moving to harder variants. Focus on planning several moves ahead rather than making the first available move. Use the undo feature to experiment with different approaches when available. Study common patterns and learn to recognize when a particular column arrangement can be improved.
Scoring and Gameplay
How is Spider Solitaire scored?
The classic scoring system starts at 500 points. Each move deducts 1 point, and each completed suit sequence adds 100 points. The goal is to finish with the highest score possible, which means completing the game in the fewest moves.
How long does a typical game take?
A 1-suit game typically takes 5-15 minutes for an experienced player. A 2-suit game may take 15-30 minutes, and a 4-suit game can take 30 minutes to over an hour, depending on the difficulty of the deal and how carefully you plan your moves.
What is the difference between Spider Solitaire and regular Solitaire?
“Regular solitaire” usually refers to Klondike Solitaire, which uses one deck and builds cards onto four foundation piles by suit in ascending order (Ace to King). Spider Solitaire uses two decks, has ten tableau columns instead of seven, builds descending sequences on the tableau itself, and removes completed sequences rather than building foundations. Spider is generally considered more strategic and challenging than Klondike.
Spider Solitaire Quick Facts
- Spider Solitaire uses two full decks of cards (104 cards total), making it one of the few solitaire games that requires more than one standard 52-card deck.
- Spider Solitaire was named after the eight legs of a spider, corresponding to the eight foundation piles that must be completed to win the game.
- One-suit Spider Solitaire has a win rate of approximately 99% with perfect play, while four-suit Spider Solitaire drops to roughly 33% solvability.
- Spider Solitaire became one of the most popular computer card games after Microsoft included it in Windows ME in 2000 and Windows XP in 2001.
- A Spider Solitaire game deals 54 cards across 10 tableau columns at the start, with the remaining 50 cards placed in 5 stock piles of 10 cards each.
- In Spider Solitaire, a completed sequence of 13 cards from King to Ace of the same suit is automatically removed from the tableau and placed on a foundation pile.
- Two-suit Spider Solitaire is considered the ideal difficulty level for intermediate players, with a win rate of approximately 50% using careful strategy.