Spider Solitaire: A Fun and Challenging Card Game
If you love card games, you might have heard of spider solitaire. It's a popular solitaire game that requires skill, strategy, and patience. It can be played with one, two, or four suits of cards, making it suitable for different levels of difficulty. In this article, we'll explain what spider solitaire is, how to play it, and some tips and tricks to master it. We'll also introduce some variations and challenges that you can try if you want more fun and excitement.
What is Spider Solitaire?
Spider solitaire is a type of patience game that is played with two decks of cards (104 cards in total). The goal of the game is to remove all the cards from the table by arranging them in descending sequences from king to ace of the same suit. Once a complete sequence of 13 cards of the same suit is formed, it is moved to a foundation pile and removed from play. The game is won when all eight foundation piles are filled with one suit each.
spider solitaire
The origin and history of Spider Solitaire
The exact origin of spider solitaire is unknown, but it is believed that it was invented in 1949 by an anonymous person. The name of the game comes from the spider's eight legs, which correspond to the eight foundation piles that must be filled to win the game. Spider solitaire became more popular after it was included in Microsoft Windows as a computer game in 1998. Since then, it has been featured in many versions of Windows and other platforms.
The rules and objectives of Spider Solitaire
The rules of spider solitaire are simple but challenging. The game starts with 54 cards dealt face down in 10 columns on the table. The first four columns have six cards each, and the remaining six columns have five cards each. The top card of each column is turned face up, forming the tableau. The remaining 50 cards are placed face down in a stock pile at the bottom right corner of the screen.
The objective of spider solitaire is to move all the cards from the tableau to the foundation piles by following these rules:
You can move any face-up card or a group of cards in descending order and same suit onto another face-up card with one higher rank. For example, you can move a 9 of spades onto a 10 of spades, or a Q-J-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-A of hearts onto a K of hearts.
You can move any face-up card or a group of cards to an empty column.
You can turn over a face-down card when it becomes exposed.
You can deal one card from the stock pile onto each column when there are no more moves available on the tableau. You can only do this when there are no empty columns.
You can remove a complete sequence of 13 cards of the same suit from king to ace from the tableau and place it on a foundation pile.
You win the game when you have to an empty column. This can create more space and flexibility on the tableau. For example, you can move a 6 to an empty column, or a 5-4-3-2 to another empty column.
You can also turn over a face-down card when it becomes exposed. This can reveal new cards and possibilities on the tableau. For example, you can turn over the X under the 6 after you move it to an empty column.
Here is an example of how the tableau might look after some moves:
9 4 Q 7 K A 8 X X X X J X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 10 X X X 9-8-7 6 5-4-3-2
How to use the stock and turn over hidden cards
Sometimes, you might run out of moves on the tableau and need to deal more cards from the stock pile. You can do this by clicking on the stock pile or pressing the deal button. This will deal one card from the stock pile onto each column on the tableau. You can only do this when there are no empty columns on the tableau.
spider solitaire online free
spider solitaire card game
spider solitaire download
spider solitaire 247
spider solitaire 2 suits
spider solitaire 4 suits
spider solitaire app
spider solitaire rules
spider solitaire classic
spider solitaire windows 10
spider solitaire strategy
spider solitaire tips
spider solitaire for mac
spider solitaire unblocked
spider solitaire aarp
spider solitaire io
spider solitaire no ads
spider solitaire offline
spider solitaire variations
spider solitaire easy
spider solitaire hard
spider solitaire one suit
spider solitaire world record
spider solitaire cheats
spider solitaire history
spider solitaire green felt
spider solitaire play online
spider solitaire microsoft
spider solitaire xp
spider solitaire with hints
spider solitaire big screen
spider solitaire full screen
spider solitaire halloween theme
spider solitaire christmas theme
spider solitaire easter theme
spider solitaire valentine theme
spider solitaire summer theme
spider solitaire winter theme
spider solitaire spring theme
spider solitaire fall theme
spider solitaire statistics
spider solitaire achievements
spider solitaire levels
spider solitaire challenges
spider solitaire daily game
spider solitaire tournaments
spider solitaire leaderboard
spider solitaire multiplayer
how to play spider solitaire
Dealing more cards from the stock pile can create new opportunities or challenges on the tableau. You might find new cards that can help you form sequences or complete suits, or you might find cards that block your progress or create more disorder. You should try to use the stock pile wisely and sparingly, as you only have five deals in total.
Here is an example of how the tableau might look after one deal from the stock pile:
6 9 4 Q 7 J K A 5 8 2 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Q A J K X Q A J K 10 X J 9-8-7
How to complete suits and win the game
The final step is to complete suits of cards from king to ace of the same suit and move them to the foundation piles. You can do this by moving a complete sequence of 13 cards of the same suit onto another card with one higher rank and same suit, or onto an empty foundation pile. For example, you can move a K-Q-J-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-A of spades onto another spade card, or onto an empty foundation pile.
Once you complete a suit of cards, it is removed from play and placed on a foundation pile. You win the game when you have filled all eight foundation piles with one suit each.
Here is an example of how the tableau might look after completing one suit of spades:
Q J A K 2 K A J X Q J X A Q J
Tips and Strategies for Spider Solitaire
Spider solitaire is a game that requires skill, strategy, and patience. It is not always possible to win every game, but there are some tips and tricks that can help you improve your chances and enjoy the game more. Here are some of them:
When to choose the most hidden card or the most ordered column
One of the key decisions in spider solitaire is which card or column to move next. There are two main factors to consider: how many hidden cards are under a card or column, and how ordered or disordered a card or column is.
In general, you should try to choose the card or column that has the most hidden cards under it, as this can reveal more cards and create more possibilities on the tableau. For example, if you have a choice between moving a 9 with four hidden cards under it or a 9 with two hidden cards under it, you should choose the 9.
However, sometimes you might want to choose the card or column that is more ordered or less disordered, as this can make it easier to form sequences and complete suits. For example, if you have a choice between moving a 9-8-7 with four hidden cards under it or a 9-8-7 with two hidden cards under it, you might want to choose the 9-8-7, as it is more likely to match with another card or column.
Therefore, you should balance these two factors and choose the card or column that gives you the best advantage in the long run.
When to add order or disorder to the game state
Another important decision in spider solitaire is whether to add order or disorder to the game state. Order means having more cards or columns in descending order and same suit, while disorder means having more cards or columns in mixed order and suit.
In general, you should try to add order to the game state, as this can help you form sequences and complete suits faster. For example, if you have a choice between moving a 9 onto a 10 or a 10, you should choose the 10, as this creates more order on the tableau.
However, sometimes you might want to add disorder to the game state, as this can create more space and flexibility on the tableau. For example, if you have a choice between moving a 9 onto a 10 or an empty column, you might want to choose the empty column, as this creates more disorder on the tableau but also gives you an extra space to work with.
Therefore, you should balance these two factors and choose the move that gives you the best advantage in the long run.
When to use empty columns and spaces wisely
One of the most valuable resources in spider solitaire is empty columns and spaces. They can give you more room and freedom to move cards and groups of cards around the tableau. However, they can also be wasted or misused if you are not careful.
In general, you should try to use empty columns and spaces wisely, as they can help you turn over hidden cards, form sequences, and complete suits. For example, if you have an empty column, you should try to use it to move a card or group of cards that exposes a face-down card or matches with another card or column. If you have an empty space in a column, you should try to use it to move a card or group of cards that creates more order or disorder on the tableau.
However, sometimes you might want to avoid using empty columns and spaces, as they can limit your options or prevent you from dealing more cards from the stock pile. For example, if you have an empty column, you should not use it to move a card or group of cards that does not expose a face-down card or match with another card or column. If you have an empty space in a column, you should not use it to move a card or group of cards that creates less order or disorder on the tableau.
Therefore, you should balance these two factors and choose the move that gives you the best advantage in the long run.
When to undo moves and plan ahead
The last tip for spider solitaire is to undo moves and plan ahead. Spider solitaire is a game that involves trial and error, and sometimes you might make a mistake or regret a move. Fortunately, most versions of spider solitaire allow you to undo your moves and go back to a previous state of the game.
In general, you should try to undo moves and plan ahead when you are stuck or unhappy with your current situation. For example, if you have no more moves available on the tableau and no more deals left from the stock pile, you might want to undo some moves and try a different strategy. Or if you have made a move that creates more disorder or blocks your progress, you might want to undo it and try a different move.
However, you should not rely too much on undoing moves and planning ahead, as they can also make the game less fun and challenging. For example, if you undo every move that you are not sure about or that does not give you an immediate advantage, you might lose the thrill and excitement of the game. Or if you plan every move in advance and follow a fixed strategy, you might miss out on the creativity and spontaneity of the game.
Therefore, you should balance these two factors and choose the move that gives you the best advantage in the long run, but also keeps the game fun and interesting.
Spider Solitaire Variations and Challenges
If you are looking for more ways to enjoy spider solitaire, you can try some variations and challenges that can spice up the game. Here are some of them:
How to play Spiderette, Will o' the Wisp, Simple Simon, and Mrs. Mop
These are some of the most popular variations of spider solitaire that use only one deck of cards (52 cards in total) instead of two. They have different rules and layouts, but they share the same goal of creating sequences of cards from king to ace of the same suit.
Spiderette is a variation of spider solitaire that uses seven columns instead of ten. The first four columns have four cards each, and the remaining three columns have three cards each. The top card of each column is turned face up, forming the tableau. The remaining 24 cards are placed face down in a stock pile at the bottom right corner of the screen. You can deal one card from the stock pile onto each column when there are no more moves available on the tableau. You can only do this when there are no empty columns.
Will o' the Wisp is a variation of spider solitaire that uses six columns instead of ten. The first four columns have five cards each, and the remaining two columns have four cards each. The top card of each column is turned face up, forming the tableau. The remaining 16 cards are placed face down in a stock pile at the bottom right corner of the screen. You can deal one card from the stock pile onto each column when there are no more moves available on the tableau. You can only do this when there are no empty columns.
Simple Simon is a variation of spider solitaire that uses ten columns instead of ten. All 52 cards are dealt face up in 10 columns on the table. The first four columns have six cards each, and the remaining six columns have five cards each, forming the tableau. There is no stock pile in this variation. You can move any face-up card or a group of cards in descending order and same suit onto another face-up card with one higher rank and same suit. You can also move any face-up card or a group of cards to an empty column.
Mrs. Mop is a variation of spider solitaire that uses nine columns instead of ten. The first eight columns have six cards each, and the last column has four cards, forming the tableau. All 52 cards are dealt face up on the table. There is no stock pile in this variation. You can move any face-up card or a group of cards in descending order and same suit onto another face-up card with one higher rank and same suit. You can also move any face-up card or a group of cards to an empty column.
How to play Microsoft Spider Solitaire on Windows
If you have a Windows computer, you can play spider solitaire as a computer game that comes pre-installed with your operating system. You can access it by clicking on the Start menu and typing "spider solitaire" in the search box. You can also download it from One of the easiest ways to play spider solitaire is to download it from the Microsoft Store or the Google Play Store. You can choose from different versions of the game, such as Microsoft Solitaire Collection or Spider Solitaire Collection Free. These apps allow you to play spider solitaire on your Windows or Android devices, with different features and options, such as themes, card backs, statistics, achievements, and more.
To play Microsoft Spider Solitaire on Windows, you can follow these steps:
Download the app from the Microsoft Store by clicking on this link: [Microsoft Solitaire Collection](^1^).
Open the app and select Spider Solitaire from the menu.
Choose the number of suits you want to play with: one, two, or four.
Click on Play to start the game.
Use your mouse or touch screen to drag and drop cards on the tableau, following the rules of spider solitaire.
Click on the stock pile or press the deal button to deal more cards when there are no more moves available on the tableau.
Click on the undo button to undo your last move if you make a mistake or change your mind.
Click on the menu button to access more options, such as settings, hints, statistics, achievements, and more.
To play Microsoft Solitaire Collection on Android, you can follow these steps:
Download the app from the Google Play Store by clicking on this link: [Microsoft Solitaire Collection](^3^).
Open the app and sign in with your Microsoft account to save your progress and access more features.
Select Spider Solitaire from the menu.
Choose the number of suits you want to play with: one, two, or four.
Tap on Play to start the game.
Use your finger to drag and drop cards on the tableau, following the rules of spider solitaire.
Tap on the stock pile or press the deal button to deal more cards when there are no more moves available on the tableau.
Tap on the undo button to undo your last move if you make a mistake or change your mind.
Tap on the menu button to access more options, such as settings, hints, statistics, achievements, and more.
Conclusion and FAQs
In conclusion, spider solitaire is a fun and challenging card game that can keep you entertained for hours. It is a game that requires skill, strategy, and patience, but also offers a lot of satisfaction and enjoyment. You can play spider solitaire with different numbers of suits, variations, and challenges, or download it from different platforms and devices. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, spider solitaire is a game that you can always improve and master.
Here are some frequently asked questions about spider solitaire:
Q: What is the best strategy for spider solitaire?
A: There is no definitive answer to this question, as different strategies might work better for different situations and players. However, some general tips are:
Try to expose as many hidden cards as possible by moving cards or groups of cards that have the most hidden cards under them.
Try to create as much order as possible by moving cards or groups of cards that are in descending order and same suit onto other cards or columns that match them.
Try to use empty columns and spaces wisely by moving cards or groups of cards that expose hidden cards, create order, or complete suits.
Try to deal from the stock pile sparingly and only when there are no more moves available on the tableau.
Try to undo moves and plan ahead when you are stuck or unhappy with your current situation.
Q: How do I win spider solitaire?
A: You win spider solitaire by removing all the cards from the tableau by arranging them in descending sequences from king to ace of the same suit. Once a complete sequence of 13 cards of the same suit is formed, it is moved to a foundation pile and removed from play. The game is won when all eight foundation piles are filled with one suit each.
Q: How do I change the number of suits in spider solitaire?
A: The number of suits in spider solitaire affects the difficulty and strategy of the game. You can change the number of suits before you start a new game or after you finish a game. The most common options are one, two, or four suits. To change the number of suits, you can follow these steps:
If you are playing on Windows, you can click on the settings button at the bottom left corner of the screen and select the number of suits you want to play with.
If you are playing on Android, you can tap on the menu button at the top left corner of the screen and select the number of suits you want to play with.
Q: How do I get more hints and tips for spider solitaire?
A: If you need more hints and tips for spider solitaire, you can use the hint button or the help button on your screen. The hint button will show you a possible move that you can make on the tableau, while the help button will show you a tutorial or a guide on how to play spider solitaire. You can also visit some online resources that offer more hints and tips for spider solitaire, such as [Spider Solitaire Strategy] or [Spider Solitaire Tips].
Q: How do I make spider solitaire more fun and challenging?
A: If you want to make spider solitaire more fun and challenging, you can try some variations and challenges that can spice up the game. For example, you can play with different numbers of suits, such as one, two, or four. You can also play with different variations of spider solitaire, such as Spiderette, Will o' the Wisp, Simple Simon, and Mrs. Mop. You can also play with different platforms and devices, such as Windows, Android, online, or mobile. You can also set some goals or achievements for yourself, such as completing a game in a certain time or with a certain score. 44f88ac181
Comments