Rules & strategy
How to Play Spider Solitaire: Build Suited Runs
Spider asks you to untangle ten columns into eight complete King-to-Ace runs. Start with One Suit to learn the movement rules, then try more suits when you are comfortable uncovering cards and managing empty columns.
By Idea2Play · 2 min read · Updated
Build down, then collect a full run
The game uses 104 cards. A card may land on an exposed card one rank higher regardless of color or suit. A moving group, however, must descend in order and share one suit. A full exposed King-to-Ace run of one suit is collected automatically.
Use empty columns to separate mixed stacks
Unlike Klondike, Spider lets any exposed card or valid suited group enter an empty column. That space can let you remove a blocking card, uncover a hidden card, or rebuild a sequence in one suit.
Do not fill an empty column automatically with the first available group. Compare which use of the space reveals a card or breaks up a mixed-suit stack you need to move.
Prepare before dealing from stock
The initial tableau holds 54 cards. The stock contains five packets of ten; each deal adds one face-up card to every column. All ten columns must contain a card before dealing. There are no redeals after the final packet.
- Look for useful suited joins and opportunities to reveal hidden cards.
- Use empty columns to rearrange cards while that flexibility is available.
- Fill every column when you are ready to deal.
- After the packet, inspect all ten new top cards before moving.
More suits mean more sorting
One Suit contains only spades. Two Suits adds hearts; Four Suits uses all four suits. The landing rule stays the same, but more legal landings can create mixed groups that must later be separated.
Solo Relaxed, Standard and Challenge retain Hint, Undo and Redo while selecting differently rated deal collections. A hint does not move a card for you. Try explaining which card it will uncover or which suited group it will build.
Try it at the table
Pick one idea from the guide and try it in a game. You can play without an account.