History of Spider Solitaire

The Origins and Evolution of Spider Solitaire

Spider Solitaire has grown from an obscure card game into one of the most-played computer games in history. Its journey spans centuries of card game tradition and was transformed by the digital revolution of the late 20th century.

Early Origins of Solitaire Games

The broader family of patience (solitaire) card games has roots stretching back to the late 18th century in Northern Europe, particularly Scandinavia and Germany. The earliest documented patience games appear in German and Scandinavian game anthologies from the 1780s and 1790s. These single-player card games were originally called “patience” because they required calm, methodical play.

By the early 19th century, patience games had spread across Europe and become popular in France, where many classic variants were codified. The French term “réussite” (meaning “success”) was used alongside “patience.” The English-speaking world later adopted the term “solitaire” to describe these single-player card games.

The Emergence of Spider

The name “Spider” is believed to reference the eight legs of a spider, corresponding to the eight foundation piles (complete suit sequences) that must be built to win the game. Spider Solitaire was first documented in 1947 in the book “The Complete Book of Solitaire and Patience Games” by Albert H. Morehead and Geoffrey Mott-Smith, which remains one of the most authoritative references on solitaire games.

In Morehead and Mott-Smith’s description, Spider was already recognized as one of the finest and most challenging patience games. The authors praised it for the degree of skill involved and the deeply satisfying nature of a successful game. Unlike many solitaire variants that rely heavily on luck, Spider offered experienced players genuine opportunities to influence the outcome through careful decision-making.

Spider in the Pre-Computer Era

Before computers, Spider Solitaire was played with physical cards and required a large table due to the ten-column tableau and two decks of cards. This physical space requirement made it less casual than simpler solitaire games like Klondike, which uses only one deck and seven columns.

The game was well-regarded among serious card game enthusiasts but was not widely known by the general public. It appeared in various card game books throughout the mid-20th century, often highlighted as a particularly rewarding game for patient and skilled players. Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Dwight D. Eisenhower were both reported to have been fans of patience games, though their specific variants are not always documented.

The Windows Revolution

The defining moment in Spider Solitaire’s history came when Microsoft included it as a free game in Windows ME (Millennium Edition) in 2000, and subsequently in Windows XP in 2001. This followed Microsoft’s earlier success with Klondike Solitaire, which had been bundled with Windows 3.0 in 1990 and was originally designed to teach users mouse skills like clicking and dragging.

The inclusion of Spider Solitaire in Windows instantly introduced the game to hundreds of millions of computer users worldwide. The digital version solved the physical table-space problem and handled the complex bookkeeping of two decks automatically. It also introduced the three difficulty levels (1-suit, 2-suit, and 4-suit) that have since become standard.

Spider Solitaire quickly became one of the most-played Windows applications. Studies and surveys in the mid-2000s found that Spider Solitaire and its sibling games were among the top reasons people used their personal computers during idle time. The game was a workplace staple, with many office workers spending breaks (and sometimes work hours) playing Spider.

The Modern Era

With the rise of smartphones and tablets in the 2010s, Spider Solitaire successfully transitioned to mobile platforms. Touch-screen interfaces proved to be a natural fit for card games, with drag-and-drop mechanics feeling intuitive on mobile devices. App stores on iOS and Android feature dozens of Spider Solitaire implementations.

Microsoft continued to support Spider through its Microsoft Solitaire Collection, which consolidated several solitaire variants into a single application for Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows 11, iOS, and Android. The collection includes daily challenges, achievements, and online leaderboards that keep players engaged.

Today, Spider Solitaire remains one of the most popular card games in the world. Browser-based versions have made it accessible without any installation, and the game continues to attract new players while retaining a dedicated community of enthusiasts who study strategy and pursue high win rates. The game’s blend of accessibility, strategic depth, and satisfying gameplay ensures its place as a timeless classic.

Key Milestones

• 1780sEarliest documented patience (solitaire) card games in Northern Europe
• 1947Spider Solitaire documented by Morehead and Mott-Smith in “The Complete Book of Solitaire and Patience Games”
• 1990Microsoft bundles Klondike Solitaire with Windows 3.0, popularizing digital card games
• 2000Spider Solitaire included in Windows ME (Millennium Edition)
• 2001Spider Solitaire bundled with Windows XP, reaching hundreds of millions of users
• 2012Microsoft Solitaire Collection launches, consolidating Spider and other variants
• 2010sSpider Solitaire thrives on mobile platforms and in web browsers