How do you play Spider Solitaire?
Spider uses two decks dealt into ten columns. Build down by rank in any suit, but you can only move a group of cards together if they are all the same suit in order. A complete King-to-Ace run of one suit is removed automatically. When you are stuck, deal ten more cards from the stock, one onto each column. Remove all eight runs to win. One suit is easiest; four suits is the hardest.
Spider Solitaire rules
- 104 cards (two decks) in ten columns; only the top card of each column starts face up.
- Any card can be placed on a card one rank higher, regardless of suit.
- Only same-suit descending runs can be moved as a group.
- Any card or valid run can go into an empty column.
- You cannot deal from the stock while a column is empty.
- Score starts at 500, loses 1 per move and gains 100 per completed run.
Tips and strategy
- Build in suit whenever you have the choice; mixed-suit stacks get stuck.
- Empty columns are the most valuable thing on the board. Use them to rearrange, not to park a King.
- Turn over face-down cards early, especially in short columns.
- Before dealing from the stock, tidy every column you can, since the deal covers all of them.
A short history of Spider Solitaire
Spider is one of the best-known patience games. The name is usually explained by its eight foundations, like a spider's eight legs. It became a desktop favourite in the 1990s and 2000s, and the one- and two-suit versions made it easier to finish.
Spider Solitaire questions
What is the difference between 1, 2 and 4 suit Spider Solitaire?
The number of suits in the two decks. With 1 suit every card is a spade, so any run can move; with 2 suits you mix spades and hearts; with 4 suits you must sort all four, which makes wins much rarer.
Is 2 suit Spider Solitaire hard?
It is a real challenge but very winnable with patience and Undo. Building in suit and keeping an empty column free are the two habits that matter most.
Can you move any card into an empty column in Spider?
Yes. Any card, or any same-suit run, can go into an empty column. You just cannot deal from the stock while a column is empty.
Is Spider Solitaire free to play?
Yes. Spider Solitaire on PuzzlePage is free in any browser on a phone, tablet or computer, with no download and no sign-up. Your streaks and best times are kept on your device. The page shows a few ads, which never cover the game, and the Player Club removes them.
Can I put Spider Solitaire on my own website?
Yes. Sign up free with your email at puzzlepage.app/embed, click the link we send, and copy the embed code. The game runs inside your page, restyled to your colors, with a small PuzzlePage credit.
Put Spider Solitaire on your website
Teachers, bloggers and activity coordinators can add Spider Solitaire to their own page for free. Sign up with your email on the embed page, click the link we send you, and copy the code. It matches your site's colors and keeps a small PuzzlePage credit.
More classic games
Spider Solitaire on PuzzlePage is an original implementation of a traditional game, with its own design. It is not affiliated with any operating system or software publisher.