BACK TO THE GAME


This article contains everything you need to know about Arkadium’s Spider Solitaire Game.


Use the list below to navigate specific topics about Spider Solitaire. 



WARNING: Recently we devided Spider Solitaire game into 3 different games: 
Spider Solitaire 1 Suit https://www.arkadium.com/games/spider-solitaire/
Spider Solitaire 2 Suits https://www.arkadium.com/games/spider-solitaire-2-suits/
Spider Solitaire 4 Suits https://www.arkadium.com/games/spider-solitaire-4-suits/

We did it to ensure fair gameplay, so that all players can compete on the leaderboard utilizing the same version of the game, thereby creating a level playing field for everyone involved.


How to play


Spider Solitaire is a fun variation of the classic Solitaire card game, which is also one of the most popular table card games.


Goal. In Spider Solitaire, the goal is to remove all the cards from the table by creating "runs" of cards on the table.


NOTE: each run needs to be organized in descending order from King to Ace


Difficulty level. You can choose to play on Easy difficulty (1 suit), Medium (2 suits), or Hard (4 suits). 


NOTE: the higher the difficulty, the higher the score

 

 

Movement. You can pick up cards and move them between columns as long as they stack in the proper sequence (K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, A).


Runs. In games with more than one suit, runs need to be of the same suit to be considered complete. Completed runs are automatically removed from the table for you.


Suits. You can mix different suits within the same card sequence. Just remember that a run has to be entire of the same suit to be removed from the table.


Empty columns. If you ever have an empty column, you can place any card or sequential stack there. There is no limit as to how many cards you can move at once.


No more moves. If you run out of moves, tap one of the stockpiles in the upper left corner to deal a new row of cards. 

      

NOTE: be careful - you can't deal a new row while any columns are empty



Tips


Spider Solitaire is a challenging and enjoyable card game that requires strategic thinking and planning. Playing the game online allows you to practice and improve your skills at your own pace. The following tips will help you enhance your Spider Solitaire game and increase your chances of winning.

These tips apply to Arkadium’s Spider Solitaire 1 Suit, 2 Suits, and 4 Suits. Any strategic differences between the versions are explained below.


1. Prioritize moves that reveal face-down cards


Turning over hidden cards creates new options and brings you closer to clearing a column. When comparing two legal moves, favor the move that exposes a face-down card—especially in a column with only a few hidden cards remaining.

Avoid moving cards between fully exposed columns without a clear purpose if another move can reveal new information.


2. Build same-suit sequences whenever possible


Cards can be placed in descending order even when their suits are different. However, in the two- and four-suit versions, only a correctly ordered same-suit sequence can be moved together as a group.

A complete King-to-Ace run must consist entirely of one suit before it can be removed from the tableau.

In 1 Suit, every descending sequence is automatically a same-suit sequence. In 2 Suits and 4 Suits, prioritize matching suits and use mixed-suit placements only as temporary moves.


3. Treat empty columns as temporary storage


An empty column can hold any single card or movable descending stack, making it one of the most valuable resources in the game.

Use empty columns to:

  • move blocking cards out of the way;

  • separate mixed-suit sequences;

  • reorganize partial runs;

  • expose face-down cards;

  • combine smaller same-suit sequences;

  • reposition a King or another difficult card.

Try not to fill an empty column permanently unless doing so provides a significant advantage.


4. Plan several moves before using an empty column


Before moving a card or sequence into an empty column, decide what you want to accomplish with the available space.

A good temporary move should help you reveal a hidden card, separate suits, combine sequences, or create another empty column. Without a plan, it is easy to occupy the space with a card that cannot be moved again.

Do not worry about keeping every column the same size. An uneven tableau can be beneficial if it creates empty columns or exposes more hidden cards.


5. Be careful when moving Kings


A King cannot be placed on another card, so an empty column is its only possible destination.

Avoid moving a King into an empty column unless the move reveals a hidden card or allows you to begin building a useful sequence. A poorly positioned King can occupy valuable space for much of the game.


6. Protect organized sequences


Long same-suit sequences are valuable because they can be moved together and developed into complete King-to-Ace runs.

Avoid breaking an organized sequence unless doing so reveals a hidden card, creates an empty column, or solves a more important structural problem.

In games with multiple suits, mixed-suit placements may sometimes be necessary. Before creating one, check whether you will have a realistic way to separate those suits later.


7. Delay dealing a new row


Clicking the stock deals one new card onto every tableau column. These cards may cover organized sequences and create additional obstacles.

Before dealing, use all moves that provide a meaningful benefit:

  • reveal face-down cards;

  • create or extend same-suit sequences;

  • separate mixed suits;

  • combine compatible runs;

  • use empty columns to reorganize the tableau.

Do not make pointless moves simply to postpone the deal, but avoid dealing while useful progress is still available.


8. Prepare every column before dealing


A new row cannot be dealt while any tableau column is empty. Before filling an empty column, use it to complete as much reorganization as possible.

Inspect the cards currently exposed at the bottom of each column. If possible, arrange them so the incoming row is less likely to bury an important same-suit sequence or block a nearly completed run.


9. Choose moves by their consequences, not by card rank


Moving a King or Queen is not automatically better than moving a lower card. The best move is the one that improves the structure of the tableau.

Before making a move, ask:

  • Will it reveal a face-down card?

  • Will it create or preserve an empty column?

  • Will it extend a same-suit sequence?

  • Will it separate cards of different suits?

  • Will the moved card or stack have another destination later?

  • Will it block a more useful move?


10. Complete sequences when the timing is right


A completed same-suit sequence from King to Ace is automatically removed from the tableau. Removing a sequence creates space and makes the remaining cards easier to manage.

However, do not rush to complete a run if doing so requires filling your only empty column or dismantling several useful sequences. Consider whether the immediate removal improves the overall tableau.


11. Use Undo to compare different move orders


When several moves appear equally promising, use Undo to explore an alternative sequence. Spider Solitaire often depends on performing the same moves in the correct order.

Undo is particularly useful when a move unexpectedly blocks access to a card, an empty column could have been used more effectively, or a mixed-suit stack becomes difficult to separate.


12. Treat Hint as a legal move, not necessarily the best move


The Hint feature can show an available move when you are stuck, but the suggested move may not be the strongest strategic choice.

Before accepting a hint, check whether another move would reveal a hidden card, preserve an empty column, extend a same-suit sequence, or avoid mixing suits.


13. Replay difficult deals


The Replay This Game option lets you restart the same deal. Use it to test a different opening strategy or determine whether another sequence of moves produces a better result.

Replaying the same deal is often more useful than immediately starting a new one because it helps identify the exact decision that caused the original attempt to fail.


14. Progress through the three versions gradually


Start with Spider Solitaire 1 Suit to learn how to manage columns, uncover hidden cards, and use empty spaces effectively.

Move to 2 Suits when you can consistently complete the one-suit version. Progress to 4 Suits after you become comfortable separating mixed stacks and building several same-suit sequences simultaneously.

Arkadium provides each version as a separate game:

  • Spider Solitaire 1 Suit

  • Spider Solitaire 2 Suits

  • Spider Solitaire 4 Suits


15. Optimize your score only after securing the win


Your score is counted only when you successfully complete the game. The final score includes points for completed King-to-Ace piles, a movement bonus, and a time bonus.

Scoring differs by version:

  • 1 Suit: 100 points per completed pile and up to 600 seconds for the time bonus.

  • 2 Suits: 150 points per completed pile and up to 750 seconds for the time bonus.

  • 4 Suits: 200 points per completed pile and up to 900 seconds for the time bonus.




All three versions calculate the movement bonus as 500 minus the number of moves made. The remaining time contributes to the time bonus.

Concentrate on completing the deal first. Once you can win consistently, improve your score by reducing unnecessary moves and recognizing useful sequences more quickly.



Settings


You can change the settings in the game's menu. It's located on the top left corner of the game.


Several settings are available so you can control different aspects of the game.





Sound. With Sound, you can turn the game's sounds on and off. 


Music. This allows you to turn the background music on and off. 


Stick to Right Side. You can switch the side the top cards appear here.


Show Blocked Cards. You can select whether the cards you can't move appear normally, or if only the moveable cards can appear normally.


Replay This Game. This allows you to replay the same game from the beginning.


New Game. This will allow you to deal an entirely new game.


Due to the limited screen space of the mobile version, the game will display the cards vertically rather than horizontally.



In Spider Solitaire ou can change the game layout from vertical to horizontal and vice versa by using the mobile-only option below. You can switch between horizontal and vertical at any time.




Scoring


This is how the scoring in Spider Solitaire functions. At the end of the game, you can post your final score on the leaderboard.


NOTE: Your score will only be counted if you successfully finish the game.


1 suit

  1. Collected Pile Bonus. For each collected pile, you receive 100 points
  2. Movements Bonus = 500 minus the number of moves made. 
  3. Time Bonus = 600 minus the number of seconds spent. You have 600 seconds to solve the puzzle. If you finish before time runs out, you earn this bonus. 
  4. Total score = Collected Pile Bonus + Movements Bonus + Time Bonus


2 suits

  1. Collected Pile Bonus. For each collected pile, you receive 150 points
  2. Movements Bonus = 500 minus the number of moves made.
  3. Time Bonus = 750 minus the number of seconds spent. You have 750 seconds to solve the puzzle. If you finish before time runs out, you earn this bonus. 
  4. Total score = Collected Pile Bonus + Movements Bonus + Time Bonus


4 suits

  1. Collected Pile Bonus. For each collected pile, you receive 200 points
  2. Movements Bonus = 500 minus the number of moves made.
  3. Time Bonus = 900 minus the number of seconds spent. You have 900 seconds to solve the puzzle. If you finish before time runs out, you earn this bonus. 
  4. Total score = Collected Pile Bonus + Movements Bonus + Time Bonus