The goal of Spider Solitaire is simple yet addictive: remove all cards from the game board by scoring royal flushes (of the same suit), from king to ace. But don't let the simplicity fool you; the game is packed with layers of strategy that will keep you coming back for more.
Spider Solitaire begins with a tableau of 54 cards, arranged in 10 piles. The first four piles have six cards each, while the remaining six piles have five cards each. The top card of each pile is face-up, with the others face-down. The remaining 50 cards are set aside as the draw pile.
Valid Moves:
In Spider Solitaire, you can always move a card onto another card that is one rank higher. For instance, you can place a 5 of clubs onto a 6 of clubs or a 6 of any other suit (hearts, diamonds, or spades). However, while you can move cards onto different suits, the ultimate goal is to create runs in the same suit. Only a full run in the same suit will be removed from the table; a mixed-suit run doesn't count.
If you have a sequence of cards in the same suit, such as a 5 of clubs, 4 of clubs, and 3 of clubs, you can move them all together onto a 6 of any suit. But if the sequence consists of mixed suits, like a 5 of clubs, 4 of hearts, and 3 of diamonds, you can only move the top card.
Empty tableau piles offer more strategic options. You can move any card or partial run onto an empty tableau pile, creating opportunities to uncover hidden cards and free up space.
It's important to note that a full run doesn't need to be the sole content of a tableau pile to be removed. For example, if a tableau pile has three facedown cards followed by a complete run from king to ace in the same suit, the run will be removed, leaving the three facedown cards behind.
As you practice and gain experience, you'll become more adept at navigating the challenges of Spider Solitaire and making strategic moves to clear the tableau. Mastering the art of card manipulation is key to becoming a Spider Solitaire pro.
Mastering the Stock:
When you find yourself at a standstill in Spider Solitaire with no more moves to make on the tableau, it's time to turn to the stock. By clicking on the stock in the lower right corner, you'll move 10 cards from the stock onto the tableaus, distributing one card to each tableau. However, it's crucial to be strategic about when you use this option.
Before resorting to the stock, make sure you've exhausted all possible moves on the tableau. Remember that there must be at least one card in each tableau when you click the stock. If you come across an empty tableau, you'll need to move one or more cards onto it before accessing the stock.
Be cautious when making complete runs, as having fewer than ten cards in play can limit your ability to add cards from the stock. If you can't maintain at least one card per tableau, you won't be able to draw from the stock, potentially hindering your progress.
By carefully considering the timing of drawing from the stock and maximizing the efficiency of your moves, you'll be well on your way to mastering the strategic depths of Spider Solitaire.
Scoring:
In Spider Solitaire online, scoring is simple:
- Earn +100 points for each royal flush
- Lose -1 point for every move
Challenge yourself to achieve the highest score possible while using the fewest moves. As you improve, you'll find satisfaction in mastering the game's intricate strategies.
Difficulty:
Spider Solitaire caters to players of all skill levels by offering different difficulties. You can choose between playing with one, two, or four suits. As the number of suits increases, so does the complexity and challenge of the game. Beginners can start with one suit and gradually work their way up to become seasoned Spider Solitaire aficionados.
A World of Solitaire Awaits
If you enjoy Spider Solitaire, you'll be thrilled to discover some of our other engaging solitaire games:
Freecell Solitaire: A strategic variant that requires careful planning and forethought. With all cards visible from the start, your moves determine your success.
Golf Solitaire: A fast-paced game where the goal is to move all cards from the tableau to the foundation, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a quick, exciting solitaire experience.
Klondike Solitaire: Often referred to as the classic solitaire game, Klondike Solitaire will test your patience and skill as you work to create ascending sequences in the foundation piles.
Pyramid Solitaire: A captivating solitaire variation where players must strategically remove pairs of cards that add up to 13, dismantling the pyramid and uncovering the hidden cards beneath.
Scorpion Solitaire: A challenging solitaire game related to Spider Solitaire, with the primary goal being to form four columns of cards in descending order and the same suit.
Tripeaks Solitaire: A unique solitaire game featuring three peaks of tableau cards, where the objective is to move all cards to the foundation by selecting cards one rank higher or lower than the current foundation card.
With this extensive collection of solitaire games, you'll never run out of ways to challenge yourself and unwind.
