Objective
Build 8 foundation piles (one for each suit) in descending order from King to Ace.
Setup
- The game starts with 10 tableau columns.
- The first 4 columns have 6 cards each (5 face-down, 1 face-up).
- The remaining 6 columns have 5 cards each (4 face-down, 1 face-up).
- The stockpile (50 cards) sits in the top-left corner.
Difficulty Levels
- 1 Suit (Easy): All cards are the same suit (e.g., all ♠️).
- 2 Suits (Medium): Two alternating suits (e.g., ♠️ and ♥️).
- 4 Suits (Hard): All four suits (♠️, ♥️, ♦️, ♣️).
Pro Tip: Start with 1-suit Spider Solitaire to learn the basics before tackling harder modes.
How to Play Spider Solitaire: Step-by-Step
Move Cards Within the Tableau
- You can place a card on another card if it’s one rank higher and the same suit (e.g., 9♠️ on 10♠️).
- Sequences can be moved as a group if they’re in descending order and the same suit.
Reveal Face-Down Cards
- When all face-up cards are removed from a column, flip the top face-down card.
Use the Stockpile
- Click the stockpile to deal 10 new cards (one to each column) when you’re stuck.
Build Foundations
- Once a full King-to-Ace sequence is built in-suit, it automatically moves to the foundation.
5 Essential Tips for Beginners
Prioritize Revealing Hidden Cards
Focus on columns with the most face-down cards first. Uncovering these gives you more options.
Build In-Suit Sequences
Always try to stack cards of the same suit. Mixed suits create dead ends later.
Save Empty Columns for Kings
Only place Kings (or sequences starting with Kings) in empty columns.
Avoid Overusing the Stockpile
Drawing too early clutters the board. Use the stockpile only when you’ve exhausted all moves.
Free the Aces Early
Aces are the foundation of your piles. Uncover them quickly to start building sequences.
Ready to test your skills? Play Spider Solitaire online for free—no downloads or sign-ups needed. Use hints and undo features to ease the learning curve!