Spider Solitaire Glossary
Complete Term Reference
Every term you need to know, from Tableau to Foundation
If you've ever read a Spider Solitaire strategy guide and wondered what a "tableau" actually means, you're not alone. Card game terminology can feel like learning a new language, especially when different games use the same words in slightly different ways.
This glossary covers all the essential spider solitaire terms you'll encounter while playing. Whether you're a complete beginner trying to understand how to play Spider Solitaire or an experienced player looking to sharpen your vocabulary for strategy discussions, this reference has you covered.
Bookmark this page. You'll probably come back to it more than once.
The Playing Area
Let's start with the big picture. These terms describe the different zones where cards live during a game.
Tableau
The solitaire tableau definition is simple: it's the main playing area where you move and arrange cards. In Spider Solitaire, the tableau consists of 10 columns of cards. The first four columns start with 6 cards each, while the remaining six columns have 5 cards each. This is where all the action happens. You'll build sequences here, flip hidden cards, and work toward clearing everything out. Think of the tableau as your workspace.
Foundation
What is a foundation pile in Spider Solitaire? It's the destination for completed suits. When you successfully build a full sequence from King down to Ace in the same suit, that entire 13-card stack automatically moves to a foundation pile. You need to complete eight foundation piles to win the game (since you're playing with two decks). Unlike Klondike Solitaire where you build foundations up from Ace, Spider works in reverse.
Stockpile
The stockpile solitaire players know and love (or sometimes dread) contains the 50 cards not initially dealt to the tableau. When you run out of useful moves, you can click the stockpile to deal one new face-up card onto each of the 10 columns. This adds 10 cards to the tableau at once, which can either open new possibilities or bury your progress. There are five deals available in the stockpile. Use them wisely.
Empty Column
When you clear all cards from a tableau column, you create an empty column (sometimes called an empty cell or free cell, though that last term is technically from a different game). Empty columns are incredibly valuable because you can move any card or valid sequence into them. They act as temporary holding areas that let you reorganize other columns. Most strategies prioritize creating empty columns early.
Card Terminology
These terms describe the cards themselves and their properties.
Suit
The four symbols on playing cards: Spades (♠), Hearts (♥), Diamonds (♦), and Clubs (♣). Spider Solitaire can be played with 1, 2, or 4 suits depending on difficulty. The suit matters because you can only move groups of cards together if they share the same suit. Completed foundation piles must also be single-suit sequences.
Rank
The value of a card. From highest to lowest: King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, Ace. In Spider Solitaire, you build sequences in descending rank order. So a 7 goes on an 8, a Queen goes on a King, and so on. The Ace is always the lowest card, which is the opposite of some other card games.
Face-Down Cards
Cards in the tableau that are hidden (you can only see their backs). At the start of the game, most cards in the tableau are face-down. When you move the top face-up card from a column, the next card beneath it automatically flips to become face-up. Uncovering face-down cards is a primary goal since you can't play cards you can't see.
Face-Up Cards
Cards that are visible and available for play. At the start of the game, only the top card of each column is face-up. As you play, you'll flip more cards face-up by moving cards around. All cards in sequences you build are face-up, and obviously, all cards dealt from the stockpile come out face-up.
Sequence Types
Understanding sequences is crucial for Spider Solitaire strategy. Check out our strategy guide for tips on building them effectively.
Sequence
A run of cards arranged in descending order by rank. For example: 9, 8, 7, 6. Sequences can be either same-suit or mixed-suit, and this distinction matters a lot for gameplay. A complete sequence in Spider Solitaire runs from King all the way down to Ace (13 cards total).
In-Suit Sequence (Natural Build)
A sequence where all cards share the same suit. For example: 9♠, 8♠, 7♠. This is the golden standard. In-suit sequences are mobile, meaning you can pick up the entire group and move it to another column. You also need a complete in-suit sequence (King through Ace of one suit) to send cards to the foundation. Always try to build in-suit when possible.
Mixed-Suit Sequence
A sequence where cards have different suits. For example: 9♠, 8♥, 7♦. You can legally place a card on any card that's one rank higher, regardless of suit. The catch? Mixed-suit sequences are immobile. You can only move the top card, not the whole group. These sequences often become traps that lock up your tableau. Use them as a last resort.
Deal
The action of taking cards from the stockpile and distributing them across the tableau. Each deal places one new card on top of every column (10 cards total). You get five deals per game (50 cards in the stockpile divided by 10 columns). Before dealing, you usually need to have no empty columns. Dealing is irreversible and can dramatically change the game state.
Game Difficulty Terms
Spider Solitaire comes in three flavors, each named for the number of suits used.
1-Suit Spider
The beginner-friendly version. All 104 cards are the same suit (usually Spades). Since every card matches, every sequence you build is automatically an in-suit sequence. This makes the game much more forgiving. Great for learning the mechanics without the complexity of suit management.
2-Suit Spider
The intermediate level. Uses two suits (typically Spades and Hearts). Now you have to pay attention to which cards you're stacking. Building mixed sequences becomes a real strategic consideration. Most players find this the sweet spot between challenge and frustration.
4-Suit Spider
The expert challenge. All four suits are in play. With four different suits competing for space, maintaining clean in-suit sequences becomes genuinely difficult. Many players report win rates around 30% or lower. This is the version that separates casual players from dedicated enthusiasts.
Quick Reference Table
| Term | Quick Definition |
|---|---|
| Tableau | The 10 columns where you play |
| Foundation | Where completed K-to-A suits go |
| Stockpile | The 50 undealt cards |
| Sequence | Cards in descending rank order |
| In-Suit | Same suit sequence (movable) |
| Mixed-Suit | Different suit sequence (stuck) |
| Empty Column | Cleared column for any card |
| Deal | Add 10 cards from stockpile |
Now You Speak the Language
Knowing your spider solitaire terms isn't just about sounding smart. When you understand the vocabulary, strategy guides make more sense. You can follow along with tips that mention building "in-suit sequences on the tableau" or "preserving empty columns before dealing from the stockpile."
The terminology also helps you think more clearly about your own gameplay. Instead of vaguely feeling like something is wrong, you can identify the specific problem: "I've got too many mixed-suit sequences blocking my ability to uncover face-down cards."
Ready to put these terms into practice? Head over to our game and start building those foundations.