Idea2Play Original
Four-Cell Spider: Use Cells Without Losing Space
Four-Cell Spider adds four temporary cells to a four-suit Spider table. Those cells help remove individual blockers, but they do not turn mixed-suit stacks into movable groups. Understanding that distinction is the key to a first game.
By Idea2Play · 2 min read · Updated
Keep Spider’s suited-group rule
There are 104 cards across ten columns and a stock. Build downward one rank regardless of color or suit. Every card in a moving group must be face-up, consecutive and of the same suit. Clear eight complete King-to-Ace suited runs to win.
A valid suited group can move regardless of how many cells are empty. There is no FreeCell capacity formula here. Any exposed card or valid suited group may enter an empty column.
Park one blocker with a purpose
Each cell accepts one exposed card from the end of a column. A held card may return onto a card one rank higher, or into an empty column at any rank. Direct cell-to-cell transfers are not allowed.
Cells do not bypass the stock requirement
You must fill every tableau column before dealing. Empty or occupied cells do not change that condition. Each of the five stock packets adds a face-up card to all ten columns, and there are no redeals.
Use empty columns to sort while you can, then fill them deliberately before drawing. A cell may help free a card to fill a column, but parking more cards than you can release can leave the next layout cramped.
Make space earn its keep
Try Relaxed and compare two ways to uncover the same hidden card. Ordinary solo difficulties keep Hint, Undo and Redo. A cell transfer, group transfer or stock packet each counts as one committed move.
- Prefer a suited join when it also reveals a card or releases a cell.
- Before parking a card, identify a plausible return destination.
- Check both the columns and cells after collecting a complete run.
- Use Restart Deal to revisit the same layout when you want to test another opening.
Try it at the table
Pick one idea from the guide and try it in a game. You can play without an account.