How to Play Spider Solitaire

THE PLAYBOOK · HENANYUFU

How to play Spider Solitaire

Choose a round of Spider Solitaire and settle into its rules. Complete eight same-suit king-to-ace runs. Choose a clear next step rather than rushing through the instructions. Use the opening round to become familiar with the layout. Use the example below to understand a decision.

Two decks, one/two/four suits; fill every column before a ten-card stock deal. Free solo play, no wagering.

Build a steady rhythm

Take enough time to read a new position. If a game has a timer, learn its controls first rather than searching for them during the round. Make the next step deliberately.

Your goal

Complete eight same-suit king-to-ace runs. An attractive position is not enough unless the goal is met. Review the board or playing area as it changes.

Step by step

1. Build down by rank. Only descending same-suit groups move together. Empty columns accept any movable group.
2. Select a face-up card and then the destination pile or Empty slot.
3. Use foundations where available; full Spider or Scorpion runs clear automatically.
4. Undo reverses a choice. New deal shuffles again.

Controls

Click or tap cards and piles. Wide tableaus scroll inside the game; use Undo, Hint and New deal where shown. Read a button’s label before selecting it. Make sure you are interacting with the game rather than the surrounding page.

A useful example

A mixed-suit descending stack cannot move as one group. Use the example as a guide rather than a substitute for reading your board. Take a moment to compare.

Watch out for this

Random deals are not guaranteed solvable. A hint is a legal move, not a winning strategy. Take a moment to reassess the position before continuing. Before your first action, say what you are trying to achieve. Then compare the result with the goal.

Common questions