Spider Solitaire

Two decks, ten columns

Spider is played with two full decks: 104 cards dealt into ten columns, with the rest held back for five more deals. Unlike Klondike, you can put any card on a card one rank higher regardless of suit, but only runs of a single suit move as a group, and only a complete King-to-Ace run of one suit clears.

That tension is the whole game: mixing suits gives you room to manoeuvre now, keeping them pure is what lets you clear later.

Strategy tips

Start with one suit. One suit teaches the flow of the game: every run you build can eventually clear.
Build in suit whenever you can. When two moves are possible, prefer the one that puts a card on the same suit.
Empty a column early. An empty column is the most powerful tool in Spider: use it to rearrange runs, not just to park a card.
Turn over hidden cards before dealing. Each deal buries every column a little deeper, so expose what you can first.

Your level, remembered

Switch between 1, 2 and 4 suits at any time; your choice is saved for next time, along with your best time for each level.

How to play Spider Solitaire

Know the goal

Build eight complete runs from King down to Ace, each in a single suit. A finished run leaves the table automatically.

Build down in any suit

Place a card on any card one rank higher, whatever the suit. Only runs of one suit move together as a group.

Use empty columns

Any card or same-suit run can go into an empty column, which makes empty columns very valuable.

Deal when you are stuck

Tap the stock to deal one new card onto every column. You can only deal when no column is empty.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between 1, 2 and 4 suits?

The game always uses 104 cards. With one suit they are all spades, so every run you build can be cleared. With two or four suits, mixed-suit runs block each other, which makes the game much harder.

Why can't I deal new cards?

Dealing is only allowed when every column has at least one card. Move a card or run into the empty column first, then deal.

Which cards can I move together?

A run moves together only when its cards are all the same suit and in descending order. You can still place a card of a different suit on any card one rank higher.

Is every game of Spider winnable?

Most 1-suit games can be won with careful play, but not every deal at every level can be. Undo has no limit, so you can always try a different line.

Can I play with a keyboard?

Yes. Focus the table, move between piles and cards with the arrow keys, press Enter to pick up and place, A to auto-move, D to deal, H for a hint and Ctrl+Z to undo.

Spider Solitaire – 1, 2 or 4 suits, free to play