How to Play Spider Solitaire: Complete Rules & Beginner Guide

What Is Spider Solitaire?

Spider Solitaire is one of the most popular patience games in the world, played with two full decks of cards (104 cards total). Part of the Spider solitaire family, this game challenges players to build eight complete sequences from King to Ace, all in the same suit.

The game originated from traditional card game collections but gained massive popularity when Microsoft included it in Windows starting with Windows 98. Today, Spider Solitaire remains a favorite among solitaire enthusiasts who appreciate its strategic depth and higher difficulty compared to classic Klondike Solitaire.

Unlike simpler solitaire variants, Spider Solitaire rewards careful planning and tactical thinking. The game offers three difficulty levels (1, 2, or 4 suits) to accommodate players of all skill levels.

Spider Solitaire Setup

The Spider Solitaire setup uses 104 cards from two complete standard decks. Here's how the initial deal works:

Tableau layout:

• 10 columns arranged horizontally
• First 4 columns receive 6 cards each
• Last 6 columns receive 5 cards each
• Only the top card of each column is dealt face-up
• All other cards start face-down

Stock pile:

• 50 cards remain in the stock
• These cards will be dealt in 5 rounds of 10 cards each
• Each deal adds one card to every tableau column

Foundation piles:

• No foundation piles are visible at the start
• Complete sequences (King to Ace in the same suit) automatically remove to hidden foundations
• You need to build 8 complete sequences to win

The initial setup creates a challenging puzzle where most cards are hidden, requiring strategic thinking to uncover and organize them.

Game Objective

The primary objective of Spider Solitaire is to build eight complete descending sequences, each running from King down to Ace in the same suit. When you successfully build a complete sequence (K→Q→J→10→9→8→7→6→5→4→3→2→A), it automatically removes from the tableau to a foundation pile.

Winning conditions:

• All 8 complete sequences must be removed
• Each sequence must be in a single suit (all Spades, all Hearts, etc.)
• Once all 8 sequences are cleared, you win the game

Key differences from other solitaire games:

• No separate foundation piles to build on during play
• Sequences must be complete (all 13 cards) before they remove
• Partial sequences don't count toward victory

The challenge lies in uncovering hidden cards while building same-suit sequences amid a tableau that initially contains mixed suits.

How to Play Spider Solitaire

Spider Solitaire rules are straightforward but require strategic execution. Here's the step-by-step gameplay:

Moving single cards:

• You can move any face-up card onto another card that is one rank higher
• Suit doesn't matter for single card moves (you can place a 7 of Hearts on an 8 of Spades)
• This flexibility creates opportunities but can make sequences harder to complete

Moving sequences:

• You can only move a group of cards together if they form a same-suit descending sequence
• Example: 9♠→8♠→7♠ can move as a unit, but 9♠→8♥→7♠ cannot
• This is the critical rule that makes Spider Solitaire strategic

Empty columns:

• When a tableau column becomes empty, you can fill it with any card or valid sequence
• Empty columns are valuable strategic resources
• Use them to temporarily store cards while reorganizing other columns

Dealing from stock:

• Click the stock pile to deal 10 cards (one to each column)
• All 10 columns must contain at least one card before you can deal
• You have 5 deals available throughout the game

Completing sequences:

• When you build a complete King-to-Ace sequence in one suit, it automatically removes
• The removal clears space and reveals cards underneath
• You need 8 completed sequences to win

Spider Solitaire Variants

Spider Solitaire variants offer different difficulty levels to match your skill and experience. The number of suits determines the challenge:

One Suit Spider Solitaire (Play 1-Suit variant)

• Uses only Spades from both decks
• Easiest variant with 30-40% win rate
• Perfect for beginners learning the game mechanics
• Every move creates same-suit sequences automatically

Two Suits Spider Solitaire (Play 2-Suit variant)

• Uses Spades and Hearts from both decks
• Intermediate difficulty with 10-20% win rate
• Balances accessibility with strategic depth
• Most popular variant among regular players

Four Suits Spider Solitaire (Play 4-Suit variant)

• Uses all suits from both decks
• Hardest variant with under 5% win rate
• Requires advanced planning and tactical skill
• The default "classic" Spider Solitaire experience

Comparison table:

Variant	Suits Used	Difficulty	Win Rate	Best For
1 Suit	Spades only	Easy	30-40%	Beginners, learning rules
2 Suits	Spades + Hearts	Intermediate	10-20%	Regular players, balanced challenge
4 Suits	All suits	Hard	Under 5%	Experts, maximum challenge

For advanced strategies on the 2-suit variant, check our winning strategies guide.

Key Differences from Klondike

While both are classic solitaire games, Spider Solitaire differs significantly from Klondike Solitaire:

Deck size:

• Spider uses 2 full decks (104 cards)
• Klondike uses 1 deck (52 cards)

Tableau columns:

• Spider has 10 columns
• Klondike has 7 columns

Foundation mechanics:

• Spider: complete sequences auto-remove to hidden foundations
• Klondike: you actively build on visible foundation piles by suit

Card stacking:

• Spider: cards stack by rank only (any suit on any suit)
• Klondike: cards stack by alternating color (red on black, black on red)

Strategic complexity:

• Spider is generally harder due to more cards and hidden information
• Klondike offers more immediate visual feedback on progress

Win rates:

• Spider (4-suit): under 5%
• Klondike (draw-3): approximately 8-12%

Spider Solitaire rewards patience and long-term planning, while Klondike offers quicker, more varied gameplay.

Beginner Tips

Follow these Spider Solitaire tips to improve your gameplay and win more games:

Focus on uncovering face-down cards

• Your first priority is revealing hidden cards
• Make moves that flip face-down cards whenever possible
• More information leads to better strategic decisions

Build same-suit sequences whenever possible

• Even early in the game, prioritize same-suit builds
• Mixed-suit stacks become obstacles later
• Same-suit sequences give you mobility and control

Keep empty columns as long as you can

• Empty columns are your most valuable resource
• Don't fill them unless absolutely necessary
• Use them strategically to reorganize problematic stacks

Don't rush to deal from the stock

• Exhaust all tableau moves before dealing new cards
• Each deal adds complexity and can bury useful cards
• Only deal when you're truly stuck

Start with the 1-suit variant

• Learn the core mechanics without suit complications
• Build confidence and understand winning patterns
• Graduate to 2-suit or 4-suit once comfortable

Use undo to learn from mistakes

• Experiment with different move sequences
• Understand why certain moves create problems
• Pattern recognition improves with practice

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Beginners often make these Spider Solitaire mistakes that hurt their chances:

Dealing from stock too early

• The most common beginner error
• Always explore every possible tableau move first
• Premature deals bury cards you might need soon

Creating long mixed-suit stacks

• Placing different suits on each other seems helpful initially
• Mixed stacks can't move as units, limiting your options
• Breaking them apart later wastes moves

Filling empty columns with random cards

• Empty columns are strategic tools, not trash bins
• Only fill them with cards that create productive sequences
• Wasting an empty column can cost you the game

Ignoring buried Kings

• Kings can only go in empty columns
• If a King is buried under many cards, plan how to free it
• Blocked Kings prevent sequence completion

Not planning ahead

• Spider rewards thinking 3-4 moves ahead
• Consider how each move affects your overall position
• Short-term gains often create long-term problems

Moving cards without purpose

• Every move should serve a clear goal
• Random rearranging wastes moves and creates chaos
• Ask yourself: what does this move accomplish?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Spider Solitaire harder than Klondike?

Yes, Spider Solitaire is generally harder than Klondike, especially in the 4-suit variant. Spider uses two decks with more hidden cards, requires building complete 13-card sequences, and has a win rate under 5% for 4-suit compared to Klondike's 8-12%. The 1-suit Spider variant is easier than Klondike, making it ideal for beginners.

What is the win rate for Spider Solitaire?

Win rates vary by variant: 1-suit Spider has a 30-40% win rate, 2-suit Spider has 10-20%, and 4-suit Spider has under 5%. These rates assume optimal play. Most casual players win less frequently, especially in harder variants. With practice and strategic understanding, you can approach these theoretical win rates.

How many cards are used in Spider Solitaire?

Spider Solitaire uses 104 cards from two complete standard decks. The initial deal places 54 cards in the tableau (10 columns), with 50 cards remaining in the stock pile. In the 1-suit variant, only Spades are used (52 cards total but still from two decks). The 2-suit variant uses 104 cards split between two suits.

Can every Spider Solitaire game be won?

No, not every Spider Solitaire deal is winnable, especially in 4-suit Spider. The random initial deal can create mathematically impossible situations where critical cards are blocked. However, most deals are theoretically winnable with perfect play. The challenge is finding the winning sequence of moves among thousands of possibilities.

What is the best Spider Solitaire variant for beginners?

1-suit Spider Solitaire is the best variant for beginners. With only one suit in play, you don't need to worry about suit matching—every legal move automatically builds same-suit sequences. This lets you focus on learning core mechanics like uncovering cards, managing empty columns, and timing stock deals without the added complexity of multiple suits.

How long does a game of Spider Solitaire take?

A typical Spider Solitaire game takes 10-20 minutes depending on the variant and player experience. 1-suit games are fastest (8-12 minutes), while 4-suit games can take 20+ minutes due to increased complexity. Experienced players who recognize patterns quickly can complete games faster than beginners who need time to analyze options.

What happens when you complete a sequence?

When you build a complete King-to-Ace sequence in one suit, it automatically removes from the tableau to a foundation pile. The sequence disappears, clearing valuable space and revealing any face-down cards that were underneath. You need to complete 8 total sequences to win the game.

Why can't I deal from the stock pile?

You cannot deal from the stock pile if any of your 10 tableau columns is empty. Spider Solitaire requires all columns to contain at least one card before allowing a deal. This rule prevents you from dealing into empty space and encourages strategic use of empty columns for reorganizing cards before taking on 10 more cards.

Start Playing Spider Solitaire

You now know everything needed to start playing and winning at Spider Solitaire. Remember these key takeaways:

• Master the basics first: Start with 1-suit to learn mechanics without suit complexity
• Prioritize uncovering cards: More information gives you better strategic options
• Protect empty columns: They're your most valuable tactical resource
• Build same-suit sequences early: Mixed-suit stacks create problems later in the game

Spider Solitaire rewards patience, planning, and pattern recognition. Every game is a new puzzle waiting to be solved.