Spider solitaire

How Spider works here

Ten columns and two decks. Play with one suit to learn the shape of the game, or two suits when you want sorting to matter.

Rules with playable examples

Table notes

• Only one suit moves togetherAny card can sit on a card one rank higher, but only a run of one suit, in order, moves as a unit. In one-suit Spider every ordered run qualifies.
• Turn up face-down cardsForty-four cards start face down. A move that turns one over is usually worth more than a move that only tidies a run.
• An empty column is your best toolAn empty column accepts any card or run. Use it to reorder runs and turn over cards, rather than parking a king there for good.
• Fill every column before dealingThe stock deals one card onto each of the ten columns, and it won't deal while any column is empty. Fill gaps first, even with a single card.
• Tidy up before you dealA new row covers all ten columns. Make the moves you can, and turn over what you can, before you tap the stock.
• A full run leaves by itselfA complete run from king down to ace in one suit is removed as soon as it forms. Eight runs clear the table.
• Prefer same-suit buildsWith two suits, place a card on the same suit when you can. A mixed build is legal, but the run underneath can't move as one afterwards.
• Kings make columns heavyA king only moves into an empty column. Try not to let one settle on top of face-down cards you still need.
• Clear the shortest columnThe column with the fewest cards is the quickest one to empty, and an empty column opens up the rest of the table.
• Count your dealsThe stock holds five rows of ten cards. The table shows how many deals are left, so you can plan where each new row will land.