Rule Guide
Spider Solitaire Rules
Direct answer: a move is legal when you place a card on a card one rank higher. Same-suit descending runs move together, mixed-suit runs do not, empty columns take any card or movable same-suit sequence, the stock deals only when no column is empty, and you win by clearing eight same-suit King-to-Ace runs.
Evidence note: this page is a rule reference for the browser game and standard Spider Solitaire mechanics. The data section uses the site's original 75,000 seeded opening study only to explain opening-board same-suit mobility, not win rates, full-game solvability, or player outcomes.
Rules at a Glance
Legal move, same-suit run, mixed-suit limit, empty column
Use this rule table when you are checking a move. The most common mistake is thinking a legal mixed-suit stack will keep moving as a unit; it will not.
Setup context only: a standard game uses 104 cards across 10 tableau columns with a 50-card stock. The exact deal shape matters, but the rules below are the page's main job.
| Decision | Rule | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Legal move | Place a card on a card that is one rank higher. | This is the basic tableau move and the starting point for every rule check. |
| Same-suit run | Move a descending group only when every card in the run is the same suit. | Same-suit runs keep their shape and can travel together. |
| Mixed-suit run | You can stack mixed suits in descending order, but the run cannot move as a group. | That limitation is the key edge case for 2-suit and 4-suit boards. |
| Empty column | Fill an empty column with any card or movable same-suit sequence. | Empty space is the main way to reorganize the tableau. |
| Stock deal | Deal one card to each tableau column only when no column is empty. | A stock deal touches every column, so empty columns must be filled first. |
| Win condition | Clear eight same-suit King-to-Ace sequences from the tableau. | That is the finish line in standard Spider Solitaire. |
Compact examples
| Case | Example | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Legal move | 8 onto 9 | Allowed when the target is one rank higher. |
| Same-suit run | 8-7-6 of hearts | Can move together as one descending group. |
| Mixed-suit run | 8-7-6 with mixed suits | Stacks fine, but the group cannot move as a unit. |
| Empty column | Any single card or movable same-suit run | Use the open column to rebuild the tableau. |
Need the board setup next? Read how to set up Spider Solitaire. Want the full play flow? Open how to play. If you need a deeper rules overview, use the Spider Solitaire guide. If mixed suits are the part you are checking, use the mixed-suit guide. If you are checking the stock rule, use when to deal. If you need the exact card count, see how many cards are in Spider Solitaire. If you are comparing runs or replaying for a better line, open Spider Solitaire scoring.
Related play and rule pages: play now, free no-download Spider Solitaire, classic Spider Solitaire, Spider Solitaire tutorial, 1 suit, 2 suits, 4 suits, when to deal, and empty columns.
Evidence Signal
Why the Same-Suit Rule Changes the Board
The rule is simple, but its impact depends on mode. In the site's June 2026 original data study, we tested 75,000 seeded opening deals using the live deck model: 25,000 opening samples each for 1 Suit, 2 Suits, and 4 Suits. The method counted opening rank-legal top-card moves and same-suit top-card moves.
The useful finding for a rules page is narrow: legal opening moves stayed similar across modes, but same-suit mobility dropped as more suits were added. That supports the practical rule takeaway without making claims about full games, win rates, or player results.
| Mode | Avg legal opening moves | Avg same-suit opening moves | Starts with same-suit move | Rule takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Suit | 6.46 | 6.46 | 99.34% | Legal rank moves and same-suit moves are effectively the same opening decision. |
| 2 Suits | 6.43 | 3.20 | 96.12% | Mixed suits are common enough that you must check whether a legal stack stays movable. |
| 4 Suits | 6.46 | 1.61 | 82.34% | Many legal opening moves are not same-suit moves, so preserving group movement matters most. |
Read the full Spider Solitaire opening moves study for the sample details and methodology, or use the mixed-suit rule guide if you are checking a specific mixed stack.
Playable Routes
Move from rules into the mode you want to practice
Mixed Suits
Can You Move Mixed Suits?
You can stack mixed suits in descending order, but only same-suit sequences can move together as a group. That is the rule that changes which runs stay mobile as the board gets crowded.
Stock Rule
Can You Deal With an Empty Column?
No. The stock deals one card to every tableau column, so all 10 columns must contain at least one card before you can deal. If you are still learning the board shape, review how to play and the setup guide.
Rules FAQ
Answers people ask before they play
Can you move mixed suits in Spider Solitaire?
You can stack mixed suits in descending order, but you cannot move a mixed-suit run as a group. Only same-suit descending sequences can move together.
Can you deal from the stock with an empty column?
No. Standard Spider Solitaire rules require every tableau column to contain at least one card before you deal from the stock.
Can any card go into an empty column?
Yes. Any single card or valid same-suit sequence can be moved into an empty tableau column.
How do you win Spider Solitaire?
You win by clearing all eight same-suit sequences from King down to Ace. Each completed sequence is removed from the tableau automatically.
Do Spider Solitaire rules change in 1-suit, 2-suit, and 4-suit modes?
The core rules stay the same. The difference is suit friction: in 1-suit, every descending run is same-suit; in 2-suit and 4-suit, mixed-suit runs are legal to stack but cannot move as a group.
Playable CTA
Try the rule on a live board
The fastest way to learn Spider Solitaire rules is to move cards in a real game. Open the playable board, or jump straight to the mode that matches the difficulty you want to practice.