How do you play Spider Solitaire?
Build descending card runs, move same-suit groups together, reveal hidden cards, and clear eight King-to-Ace sequences. Start with the step-by-step tutorial if you want a guided first game.
How to Play Spider Solitaire
Master the rules, learn how to set up the 10-column tableau, and start playing the free online game when you are ready.
Direct Answer
How to Set Up Spider Solitaire
- 01Use two standard decks for a total of 104 cards.
- 02Deal 10 tableau columns across the playing area.
- 03Give the first 4 columns 6 cards and the other 6 columns 5 cards.
- 04Turn only the top card of each column face up.
- 05Put the remaining 50 cards in the stock pile.
- 06Clear eight King-to-Ace same-suit sequences to win.
Common Search Answers
Spider Solitaire Rules, Setup, and Play Questions
How do you set up Spider Solitaire?
Use two decks, deal 10 columns, place 54 cards in the tableau, and keep 50 cards in the stock. The dedicated setup guide gives the full card layout.
What are the rules for Spider Solitaire?
You can stack cards in descending order, but only same-suit descending sequences move together. The rules reference covers legal moves, empty columns, and stock deals.
Can you play free Spider Solitaire with no download?
Yes. The browser game starts instantly with no app install, no account, and no registration. Open the no-download Spider Solitaire game when you want to play now.
Practice Board
Play a 1-Suit Spider Solitaire Hand While You Learn
Use this beginner board to test the setup and move rules immediately. Start with 1 suit, reveal hidden cards, build same-suit runs, and move up to harder modes once the basic rhythm feels natural.
Difficulty: 1 Suit
Score: 500Moves: 0Time: 0:00
Started
0
Wins
0
Streak
0
Best 1 Suit
New run
4
♠
4
♠
♠
5
♠
5
♠
♠
K
♠
K
♠
♠
J
♠
J
♠
♠
3
♠
3
♠
♠
Q
♠
Q
♠
♠
4
♠
4
♠
♠
2
♠
2
♠
♠
7
♠
7
♠
♠
Q
♠
Q
♠
♠
50
Drag cards to move. Build descending sequences of the same suit. Complete all 8 suits (K to A) to win.
Double-click to auto-move a card. Click the stock to deal 10 cards (no empty columns allowed).
Play Online
Practice Spider Solitaire While You Learn
If you came here to learn the rules, start with the no-download browser game, then choose a difficulty that matches your session. These play pages are the fastest path from rules into real moves, saved progress, and repeat games.
No Download Game
Play instantly in the browser with no app install, account, or registration.
Classic Spider
Use the familiar two-deck game with 1-suit, 2-suit, and 4-suit options.
Beginner Mode
Start with 1 suit when you want the easiest way to practice the rules.
Daily Challenge
Return for a fresh shared 2-suit deal when you want a new board.
Game Objective
The goal of Spider Solitaire is to arrange all cards into complete sequences from King down to Ace within the same suit. When you complete a full sequence (K-Q-J-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-A), that pile is automatically moved to the foundation and removed from play.
You win when all eight complete sequences have been built and moved to the foundation piles. The game uses two standard 52-card decks (104 cards total), giving you eight possible complete sequences to build.
Card Layout
The Tableau (10 Columns)
The main playing area consists of 10 columns of cards. At the start, 54 cards are dealt across these columns. The first four columns receive 6 cards each, while the remaining six columns receive 5 cards each. Only the top card in each column is face-up; all others are face-down.
The Stock (50 Cards)
The remaining 50 cards form the stock pile in the bottom-right corner. When you run out of moves, you can deal 10 new cards from the stock (one to each column). You can only deal from the stock when every column has at least one card.
Foundation Piles (8 Total)
Completed sequences automatically move to the foundation area. Since you use two decks, you need to build 8 complete King-to-Ace sequences to win. These piles are typically shown at the top or bottom of the screen.
Basic Rules
- 01Move cards in descending order. You can place any card on top of a card that is exactly one rank higher. For example, a 7 can be placed on an 8.
- 02Same-suit sequences move together. You can move multiple cards at once only if they form a descending sequence of the same suit. Mixed-suit sequences cannot be moved as a group.
- 03Any card can fill an empty column. When a column becomes empty, you can move any card or valid same-suit sequence into that space. Empty columns are extremely valuable for maneuvering.
- 04Reveal face-down cards. When you move a card that was covering a face-down card, the face-down card automatically flips over. Uncovering hidden cards is key to winning.
- 05Complete sequences are removed. When you build a complete King-to-Ace sequence of the same suit, it automatically moves to the foundation.
- 06Deal new cards when stuck. Click the stock pile to deal 10 new cards (one per column). All columns must have at least one card before you can deal.
Rules Table
Spider Solitaire Rules at a Glance
| Rule | Direct answer | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Cards used | 104 cards from two standard decks. | Card count |
| Tableau setup | 10 columns: first 4 get 6 cards, other 6 get 5 cards. | Setup guide |
| Group moves | Only same-suit descending sequences move as a group. | Mixed suits |
| Empty columns | Any card or valid sequence can fill an empty column. | Empty-column strategy |
| Stock deals | Deal one card to each column only when no column is empty. | Stock rules |
Practice the Rules
Start a Free Spider Solitaire Game
The fastest way to learn is to play a 1-suit game first, then move up to 2 suits or 4 suits after the rules feel natural.
Step-by-Step Tutorial
Learn the setup, moves, reveals, empty columns, and stock timing with a playable lesson.
Setup Reference
See the exact 104-card setup, 10 tableau columns, and 50-card stock pile.
Card Count
Get the direct 104-card answer, including tableau, stock, and completed runs.
Rules Reference
Review legal moves, mixed suits, empty columns, stock deals, and winning rules.
Scoring Reference
Track score, moves, elapsed time, completed suits, and high-score runs.
Strategy Shortcut
Need Spider Solitaire Tips?
Use a quick checklist for hidden-card reveals, empty columns, same-suit runs, stock timing, and undo before you start a longer game.
Difficulty Levels
1 Suit (Easy)
Uses only Spades. Since all cards are the same suit, every sequence you build can be moved as a group. This is perfect for learning the game mechanics.
Win rate: approximately 80-90% with good strategy
2 Suits (Medium)
Uses Spades and Hearts. Now you must be more careful about which cards you stack together. Mixed-suit sequences are harder to untangle later.
Win rate: approximately 30-40% with good strategy
4 Suits (Hard)
Uses all four suits. This is the original and most challenging version of Spider Solitaire. Every move matters, and you need to plan several moves ahead.
Win rate: approximately 10-15% even with expert play
Strategy Tips
Prioritize uncovering face-down cards
Your first priority should always be revealing hidden cards. More visible cards mean more options and better decisions.
Keep columns empty
Empty columns are your most powerful tool. Use them as temporary storage to reorganize sequences and access buried cards.
Build same-suit sequences when possible
While you can stack any cards in descending order, same-suit sequences are much more flexible. Avoid mixing suits unless necessary.
Focus on one or two suits first
In 4-suit games, try to complete sequences in one or two suits first. This frees up space and simplifies the remaining game.
Think before dealing new cards
Only deal from the stock when you have no productive moves left. New cards can block your sequences and fill empty columns.
Be patient with Kings
Kings can only go in empty columns. Avoid moving Kings prematurely; wait until you have a clear plan for building a complete sequence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you set up Spider Solitaire?+
Use two standard decks for 104 cards. Deal 10 tableau columns: the first 4 columns get 6 cards each and the remaining 6 columns get 5 cards each. Turn only the top card of each column face up. The remaining 50 cards become the stock.
How do you play Spider Solitaire?+
Move cards in descending order, reveal face-down cards, build same-suit sequences from King to Ace, and deal from the stock only when every column has at least one card. Clear all eight completed sequences to win.
What are the basic rules for Spider Solitaire?+
You may place a card on a card one rank higher, move grouped cards only when they are same-suit descending sequences, place any valid card or sequence in an empty column, and deal one card to each column from the stock when no column is empty.
Can I move cards of different suits together?+
You can stack cards of different suits in descending order, but you cannot move a mixed-suit sequence as one group. Only same-suit descending sequences can move together.
When should I deal new cards from the stock?+
Deal only after you have made all useful tableau moves. New stock cards land on every column, so dealing too early can block sequences and remove empty-column flexibility.
What is the best Spider Solitaire difficulty for beginners?+
Start with 1 suit. It teaches the core movement rules without suit-matching friction. After you can win consistently, move to 2 suits and then 4 suits.
How many cards are in Spider Solitaire?+
Spider Solitaire uses 104 cards from two standard decks. At setup, 54 cards go into the tableau and the remaining 50 cards form the stock.
Can you deal in Spider Solitaire with an empty column?+
In the standard rules, you cannot deal from the stock while a tableau column is empty. Fill every empty column before dealing the next row of 10 cards.
Ready to Play?
Put your new knowledge to the test. Play Spider Solitaire online for free, right in your browser. No download or registration required.
Play Spider Solitaire No Download