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Spider Solitaire Online: 1 Suit, 2 or 4 Suits

Spider solitaire is played with two packs of cards in ten columns: build runs from King down to Ace and each finished run leaves the table. Ours is free, plays in your browser with no download or sign-up, and has large, clear cards with a “Larger print” button. Choose 1 suit (the easiest, all spades), 2 suits or 4 suits (hard). Every deal here, in all three levels, has been won by our solver program, so every game can be won, and Undo and Hint are unlimited.

Play spider solitaire

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How to play spider solitaire

  1. Clear the table by building eight runs, each from King down to Ace in one suit. A finished run leaves the table by itself.
  2. Put a card on any card one higher, whatever its suit: a 6 on any 7. Any card or run can go in an empty column.
  3. Only a run of one suit, each card one lower, moves together. Mixed suits have to be moved one part at a time, so build in one suit when you can.
  4. Tap the stock (top left) to deal one more card onto every column. You can only deal when no column is empty. There are five deals in the stock.
  5. Tap a card (or a run) to select it, then tap the column to put it on. Tap it again, or double-click it, to send it to the best place. You can also drag cards.
  6. Keyboard: arrow keys move between the stock and the columns, Enter picks up the bottom card (Up arrow adds more cards of the run), Enter on another column puts it there, Enter twice sends it to the best place, U undoes, Escape cancels.

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    How to play

    1. Clear the table by building eight runs, each from King down to Ace in one suit. A finished run leaves the table by itself.
    2. Put a card on any card one higher, whatever its suit: a 6 on any 7. Any card or run can go in an empty column.
    3. Only a run of one suit, each card one lower, moves together. Mixed suits have to be moved one part at a time, so build in one suit when you can.
    4. Tap the stock (top left) to deal one more card onto every column. You can only deal when no column is empty. There are five deals in the stock.
    5. Tap a card (or a run) to select it, then tap the column to put it on. Tap it again, or double-click it, to send it to the best place. You can also drag cards.
    6. Keyboard: arrow keys move between the stock and the columns, Enter picks up the bottom card (Up arrow adds more cards of the run), Enter on another column puts it there, Enter twice sends it to the best place, U undoes, Escape cancels.

    Who it’s for: Grown-ups and seniors; 1 suit is a good start for anyone new to it. Sound is off unless you turn it on, there is no time limit, and “Pause” stops the clock.

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    Spider solitaire tips and strategy

    • Turn over face-down cards first: every hidden card you free gives you more choices.
    • Get an empty column as early as you can. In Spider an empty column is the most useful thing on the table: it holds any card or run while you rearrange.
    • Before you deal from the stock, make every move that helps and put something in each empty column (you can’t deal with a gap).
    • When two moves are possible, choose the one that builds on a card of the same suit. With 1 suit everything matches, but the habit pays off at 2 and 4 suits.
    • Don’t move a King into an empty column unless it frees a card you need: a King can never be moved onto anything else.

    Print a large print sudoku or a large print word search, or try the daily puzzles, which print as a PDF with answers.

    Questions

    Can every game of Spider be won?

    Every deal we offer can. Not every Spider deal can be won, especially with 4 suits, so we only use deals our solver program has won: 366 with 1 suit, 366 with 2 suits and 120 with 4 suits. If you get stuck, Undo and try another way.

    1 suit, 2 suits or 4 suits: which should I choose?

    1 suit (all spades) is the best way to learn: every card can go on any card one higher and runs always move together. 2 suits (spades and hearts) needs some planning. 4 suits is hard even for experienced players: keep runs in one suit and use empty columns carefully.

    Why can’t I deal from the stock?

    In Spider you can only deal a new row when every column has at least one card. Put any card or run into the empty column first, then deal.

    Is Spider solitaire good for seniors?

    It was made with seniors in mind: big card numbers and suits, a “Larger print” button for even bigger cards, no time limit (the clock is only for your own record), unlimited undo, hints, a pause button and no pop-ups. Sound is off unless you turn it on.

    Is it free? Do I need to sign up or download anything?

    It is free and plays in your web browser on a computer, tablet or phone. There is nothing to download and no account. Your stats are kept in this browser only. A few adverts on the page, kept well away from the game, pay for the site.

    Does it work on a tablet or phone?

    Yes. Tap or drag with a finger on a tablet or phone, or use a mouse. It also plays with the keyboard alone (see “How to play”). Turn a phone sideways for more room.

    If you like Spider solitaire, try

    More: Brain games for seniors: a guide for families and carers

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