Winning Spider Solitaire Strategies and Expert Tips

Spider Solitaire is a more challenging variation of Klondike Solitaire because you play with twice as many cards and move cards differently. To win the game, you must clear the tableau and move all the cards to eight foundation piles. But unlike a classic game of Solitaire, you must build complete same-suit sequences within the tableau that descend from king to ace before they move to foundation piles.

Not every game is winnable, so you need strategies to help you win, especially as you progress through each more challenging version, including 1 Suit (beginner), 2 Suits (intermediate), and 4 Suits (advanced).

To understand the rules or the differences between this game and how to play Solitaire, check out this guide or watch how to play Spider Solitaire, and then dive into a Spider Solitaire game for free with no downloads at Solitaired.com.

Whether you’re a beginner or expert, this post offers Spider Solitaire strategies tailored to your level of gameplay, and they can help you win.

Summary of Spider Solitaire Strategies

1. Focus on freeing facedown cards.
2. Create empty columns early in the game.
3. Build mixed-suit sequences sparingly.
4. Create chain reactions with your moves.
5. Don’t use the stockpile unless absolutely necessary.
6. Use the undo button.
7. Focus on playing from a few columns at a time.
8. Prioritize playing multiples evenly.
9. Use only higher ranks for mixed sequences.
10. Dedicate a column (or two) to mixed-suit sequences.
11. Carefully consider cards that begin empty columns.

Beginner-Level Strategies for Spider Solitaire

If you’re new to this Solitaire card game or you haven’t played in a while, these Spider Solitaire tips can level up your skills as a Solitaire player.

1. Focus on Facedown Cards

As you start to play, you should prioritize making plays that let you turn over as many cards as possible. Because the game begins with mostly hidden cards, both on the tableau and in the stockpile, you need to reveal these cards to build sequences and win the game.

So create plays that allow you to gain more face-up cards on the tableau. The more cards you reveal, the better able you’ll be to create and complete sequences.

The exception to this rule is the stockpile. While it is tempting to turn over cards in the stockpile, use it as a last resort because dealing 10 new cards at the bottom of each column from the stockpile can cause you to block potential moves.

2. Create Empty Columns

Don’t be afraid to move all the cards out of a single column because an empty column can come in handy throughout the game. You can place an extra card or sequence there, giving you extra space to move.

Try to keep at least one column clear to give you temporary flexibility. While this can help you unblock sequences or create new ones, carefully consider the card you put in the empty column.

Choose high-ranking cards that give you more room for building sequences so you can maximize your moves. For example, if you use a queen, you can add up to 11 cards to the sequence, but a five would only give you room for up to 4 other cards.

3. Build Mixed-Suit Sequences Sparingly

If you’re playing Spider Solitaire 1 Suit, you won’t have to worry about additional suits, but in 2 Suits and 4 Suits versions, you may end up having to build mixed-suit sequences. The catch is that those sequences are locked into place and can’t be moved. So the more mixed-suit sequences you create, the harder it is to move multiple cards within the tableau.

Although it can be helpful to build a mixed-suit sequence when you’re trying to unblock or flip over useful cards, keep these sequences to a minimum so you don’t block your gameplay.

Use these tips to stay focused on sequencing with just one suit:

• Build a mixed-suit sequence as a last resort when you’re blocked from making any other moves.
• When you do have to make a mixed-suit sequence, start by moving only one card. Check to see if you can make any same-suit moves before moving on to the next card.
• Avoid creating multiple mixed-suit sequences at the same time. Focus on building just one at a time while checking the tableau for same-suit plays.
• Consolidate your mixed-suit sequences into no more than three columns of the tableau, giving you room to build same-suit sequences so your gameplay can progress.

4. Create Chain Reactions with Your Moves

When you see multiple plays, don’t just move the first card you see. Although you won’t be able to see more than a few moves ahead, consider which of those possible plays will allow you to make the most future moves. Creating a chain reaction can help you build sequences, clear columns, and reveal useful cards.

Not only should you work at cascading moves at the beginning of the game, but you should consider this every time new cards are revealed, you have to use the stockpile, you might need to create a mixed-suit sequence, or you empty columns. With every move you make, consider how it impacts future plays.

5. Don’t Use the Stockpile Unless Absolutely Necessary

While you do need to reveal the cards that are facedown in the stockpile, use it as a last resort when you have no other moves to make because using the stockpile can block possible moves on the tableau piles and you only get five chances to use it.

When the stockpile gets used, a card is dealt to the bottom of each of the ten columns. After working hard on creating sequences, the last thing you want to do is cover them all up with a random card from the stockpile, so use it sparingly.

Because 50 of your playing cards remain in the stockpile, you can only draw from the stockpile five times. In the course of the game, if you only get five chances to bail yourself out, you want to use them carefully, only when you absolutely need to do so.

6. Use the Undo Button

Don’t hesitate to use the undo button, as it will help you learn from your mistakes and could be the difference between an empty tableau and one left in gridlock.

If you’re faced with an identical move, like two sixes which could each be moved onto a seven, you might discover that the red king you need for the diamonds sequence was hidden under the other six, the one you didn’t move.

Using the undo button allows you to go back and redo that play, so you can make the better move. Contrary to what you might think, the undo button isn’t cheating. You can do the same thing in real life if you’re not playing an online Solitaire game. Replaying moves will help you become a better player, instead of making you restart the game over and over.

Expert-Level Strategies for Spider Solitaire

Once you’ve conquered those basic strategies, you can start to implement these expert-level ones into your gameplay. These strategies will help you learn how to win the game faster and prevent you from having to redo moves too often.

7. Focus on a Few Columns at a Time

Emptying a column gives you more flexibility because you have another place to build sequences, which is especially helpful if trying to undo mixed-suit sequences. To be sure you empty columns quickly, just focus on only one column at a time. Play all of the cards off of one column until you can’t move anymore. Then start moving cards, one by one, from another single column, while always watching for opportunities to play off of the first column.

For example, if you move three cards out of a column and are stuck when the seven of spades is revealed, then move to another column that looks promising. Move just one card out of that column, and then check what new card is revealed. If it’s an eight of spades, now you can move that seven. If not, keep trying to move cards out of the column until you can move the seven or you get stuck. If you get stuck, start with a new column and keep following this pattern until you’ve emptied one.

8. Prioritize Playing Multiples Evenly

Having too much of one rank available can minimize the number of moves you can make, so, if possible, play at least one of each multiple. You have ten columns to play off of, and if the playable card in each column has a different rank, you have ten chances to make a move, but the more multiples you have the fewer chances you have for making moves.

Whether you find cards of the same rank stacked on top of each other or scattered across different columns, prioritize playing multiples, and play them evenly. For example, if you have three sixes revealed and you notice other ranks have doubles (like two tens and two threes), try to play one six, and then try to play one of each double.

Keep your eye out for multiples that can jam up gameplay when you survey the initial deal, after you’ve made a chain of moves that reveal facedown cards, and every time you deal from the stockpile. This is especially true after using the stockpile.

9. Only Use Higher Ranks for Mixed Sequences

If you do have to build a mixed-suit sequence, start the sequence with the highest-ranking card possible. Since sequences go from highest to lowest, you give yourself a lot more room to move cards if you start with a high-ranking card. For example, you might want to place a red jack on a black queen instead of placing a black four on a red five, since the first move will allow you to build more cards on the top card.

Because a mixed sequence is locked into place and can’t be moved, allowing for a longer sequence to be built opens up more moves than using lower ranks to build on. So you’re essentially creating more space for plays to avoid gridlock on the tableau.

10. Dedicate a Column (or Two) to Mixed-Suit Sequences

Because mixed-suit sequences cannot be moved, you should use a column or two as a mixed-suit build site. These columns can be treated like a temporary solution where you can move any suit in or out while you organize the other columns by the same suit. You can also treat these columns as a stockpile, drawing cards that you need to make same-suit sequences.

11. Carefully Consider Cards That Begin Empty Columns

Before you move a card into an empty space, think about how many moves that card can open up for you. Think strategically and move a card or sequence into the empty column that can offer the most beneficial plays.

Moving a low-ranking card into that position, like a five, only allows you to place three to four cards on top, so you won’t have much space for building sequences. Placing a black king into the empty space, on the other hand, gives you a lot of room to build a sequence, but it also means you lock up the empty column as the king can only move to another empty space.

However, the move you end up making depends upon the current context of the game. For example, you might need to move the king or the five into the empty column to free the facedown card underneath it. So assess the tableau and possible moves so you can use the column to your best possible advantage to help you win.

Play Spider Solitaire for Free

If you want to try out these tips, you don’t have to dust off a deck of cards. Whether you’re new to the game or polishing up your gameplay, you can try out these Spider Solitaire strategies for free on Solitaired. Work your way through a few games of Spider Solitaire 1 Suit to practice these tips, then test your skills on more advanced versions, such as 2 Suits and 4 Suits. You can always play for free on Solitaired!