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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?
Almost every four-suit deal has a winning line, but the studies that show this let the solver see every card. One project solved 31,998 of 32,000 deals. No study covers one or two suits, or a player who cannot see the hidden cards. Fewer suits are more forgiving.
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 at any time, as long as all ten columns hold at least one card, so fill any empty column first. The one exception: with fewer than ten cards on the table, too few to fill every column, you may deal anyway. Each deal puts one face-up card on every column.
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, uncover face-down cards, build same-suit sequences, and use any empty column for repairs, then refill it: you cannot deal while a column is empty. 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. 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?
There is no measured average for our game. Albert Morehead and Geoffrey Mott-Smith put a game of Spider at about 20 minutes in their 1949 book. One-suit games tend to go faster, because every pile moves in a single move, while a four-suit deal asks for far more planning between 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.