Spider Solitaire seems intimidating with its 10 columns and 104 cards — but start with One Suit and it is actually one of the easiest solitaire games to win. This guide walks you through everything you need to know to start winning right away.
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Play Free Spider One Suit →Why Start with One Suit Spider
Spider Solitaire comes in three difficulty levels. One Suit uses only Spades — so any card can form a sequence with any other. This makes the game extremely forgiving and nearly always winnable, while still teaching all the core Spider mechanics you will use in harder levels.
Understanding the Spider Board
- 10 tableau columns — where all gameplay happens
- Stock pile — 50 remaining cards, dealt 10 at a time (5 deals)
- Foundation piles — 8 piles where completed King-to-Ace sequences go
Start with face-down cards in each column and only the top card face-up. Your first goal is to reveal all hidden cards.
The Three Things You Need to Do
1. Reveal Hidden Cards
Move top cards to expose what is underneath. Every hidden card revealed is a new opportunity. Target columns with fewer hidden cards first — they are cheapest to clear.
2. Build Long Sequences
In One Suit Spider, any card can go on any card one rank higher. Build long descending sequences (K-Q-J-10-9-8...) that can be moved as units, giving you flexibility to rearrange the board.
3. Complete King-to-Ace Sequences
When you build a complete 13-card sequence from King down to Ace, it is automatically removed and you are one step closer to winning. You need to complete 8 of these sequences to win.
When to Deal from Stock
Deal from the stock only when you have made every useful tableau move. The stock deals 10 cards (one per column) — you cannot deal if any column is empty, so you must fill all empty columns first. Before dealing, try to build your longest sequences and create as many empty columns as possible to absorb the incoming cards efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spider Solitaire One Suit the easiest?
Yes — Spider One Suit is the easiest Spider variant with a win rate of 95%+ for experienced players. It is the recommended starting point for Spider beginners.
What is the goal of Spider Solitaire?
Build 8 complete sequences of 13 cards (King down to Ace) in the same suit. Each completed sequence is removed from the tableau. Remove all 8 to win.
How do you get better at Spider Solitaire?
Start with One Suit and focus on exposing hidden cards and building long sequences. Master One Suit (95%+ win rate) before moving to Two Suit. Each difficulty level requires the same core skills with increasing precision.
Can you empty a column in Spider Solitaire One Suit?
Yes — if you clear all cards from a column, it becomes an empty space that can hold any card or sequence. Empty columns are valuable and should be used strategically.
What does "dealing from stock" mean in Spider?
The stock deals one card to each tableau column (10 cards total) when you choose to draw. You can do this 5 times during the game. You cannot deal if any column is empty.