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How to Play Spider Solitaire
Spider Solitaire is one of the most popular and challenging patience card games in the world. It uses two standard 52-card decks (104 cards total) and is played on a tableau of ten columns. The objective is to build complete sequences of cards from King down to Ace in the same suit, which are then removed from the tableau. The game is won when all eight suit sequences have been completed and removed.
Game Setup
At the start of a game, 54 cards are dealt into ten tableau columns:
- The first four columns (left to right) each receive six cards, with only the top card face-up.
- The remaining six columns each receive five cards, with only the top card face-up.
- The remaining 50 cards form the stock pile, arranged in five deals of ten cards each.
Gameplay
Moving Cards
Cards on the tableau may be moved according to these rules:
- A single face-up card can be placed on top of another card that is one rank higher, regardless of suit. For example, a 7 of any suit can be placed on an 8 of any suit.
- A sequence of face-up cards that are in descending order and of the same suit can be moved together as a group. For example, a run of 9-8-7 of Hearts can be moved as a unit onto any 10.
- Any card or valid sequence can be moved to an empty column.
- When a face-down card is exposed (has no face-up cards on top of it), it is automatically turned face-up.
Dealing from the Stock
When no more useful moves are available, you can deal a new row of cards from the stock pile:
- Each deal places one card face-up on top of each of the ten tableau columns.
- All ten columns must contain at least one card before you can deal. You cannot deal if any column is empty.
- There are five deals available during the game (50 cards in total from the stock).
Completing a Suit Sequence
When a complete sequence of thirteen cards of the same suit is assembled in descending order (King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, Ace) on a tableau column, that entire sequence is automatically removed from the table. This is the primary objective of the game. Since two decks are used, there are eight possible suit sequences to complete.
Winning the Game
The game is won when all eight complete King-to-Ace same-suit sequences have been assembled and removed from the tableau. The game is lost when no more moves are possible and cards remain on the tableau. Spider Solitaire is a difficult game, and even experienced players win only a fraction of games at the 4-suit difficulty level.
Difficulty Levels
Spider Solitaire is commonly played at three difficulty levels, determined by the number of suits used:
- 1 Suit (Beginner) — All 104 cards are Spades. Since every card is the same suit, all sequences are automatically same-suit. Win rate is approximately 99% with optimal play.
- 2 Suits (Intermediate) — Cards are dealt using two suits (typically Spades and Hearts), with 52 cards of each. Win rate drops to roughly 25-35% with skilled play.
- 4 Suits (Expert) — All four suits are used (26 cards of each suit). This is the most challenging version, with an estimated win rate of about 8-15% even with strong play.
Scoring
The most common scoring system for Spider Solitaire works as follows:
- You start with 500 points.
- Each move (including deals from stock) deducts 1 point.
- Each completed suit sequence awards 100 points.
- A perfect game (completing all suits in minimum moves) can yield a maximum score around 1,254 points.
Quick Tips
- Always try to build same-suit sequences rather than mixed-suit sequences, even if a mixed-suit move is available.
- Empty columns are extremely valuable. Try to create and maintain them for maneuvering cards.
- Uncover face-down cards whenever possible to reveal more options.
- Before dealing from the stock, try to empty at least one column or build as many same-suit runs as possible.
Quick Answers
How many cards are dealt in Spider Solitaire?
Spider Solitaire uses two full decks (104 cards). At the start, 54 cards are dealt across 10 tableau columns: the first 4 columns receive 6 cards each and the remaining 6 columns receive 5 cards each. Only the top card of each column is face-up. The remaining 50 cards form the stock, divided into 5 piles of 10 cards.
Can you move cards of different suits in Spider Solitaire?
You can place any card on a card one rank higher regardless of suit (for example, any 6 on any 7). However, only same-suit sequences can be moved as a group. Mixed-suit sequences must be moved one card at a time. Only a complete same-suit sequence from King to Ace is removed from the tableau.
What happens when you deal from the stock in Spider Solitaire?
When you deal from the stock, one card is placed face-up on top of each of the 10 tableau columns simultaneously. You cannot deal from the stock if any tableau column is empty — all columns must have at least one card before dealing. There are 5 stock deals available (50 cards total).
How do you win Spider Solitaire?
You win Spider Solitaire by assembling all 8 complete sequences of King through Ace of the same suit. Each completed sequence is automatically removed from the tableau and placed on a foundation pile. The game is won when all 104 cards have been arranged into 8 complete sequences and removed from play.
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.