# How to Play SpiderCells Solitaire

As the name suggests, SpiderCells is a game of [FreeCell](https://solitaired.com/freecell) but you build foundation sequences within the tableau.

### Objective

Your goal is to create 4 sequences in the tableau from King to Ace alternating by color using the 4 free or open cells to help you.

### The Setup and Play Area

**Foundation piles:** There are no foundation piles. Instead, you build cards from King to Ace in descending order alternating by color, to clear the cards from the tableau.

**Tableau piles:** This is where all 52 cards are placed face-up in 8 columns. The first 4 columns have 7 cards, and the last 4 columns have 6 cards.

**Free cells:** These are the 4 open cells where you can place any card.

![How to set up a game of SpiderCells Solitaire](https://defbnszqe1hwm.cloudfront.net/images/SpiderCells-Solitaire-setup.png) 

### Available moves

* **Tableau cards or cards in the free cell can be moved on top of cards of a different color that are one rank higher.** For example, a 4 of Clubs can be placed on top of a 5 of Hearts.
* **Any card at the bottom of the tableau can go into the free cells,** as long as there is no card in the free cell.
* **You cannot move groups of sequenced cards.** To move groups of cards, you can use the available free cells to move them one at a time. As a rule of thumb, the number of sequenced cards you can move is equivalent to the number of available free cells plus one. At most, you can move 11 cards.
* **Any card can be placed in an empty tableau column.**
* **You win when you've created 4 sequences of cards from King to Ace, alternating between red and black.**

## Strategy

* **The first visible sequence may not always be the best one.** Plan out your moves to remove as many cards as possible from the tableau.
* **Use free cells only when you cannot make any moves.** Sequence as many cards as you can, then use the free cells.
* **Try to empty the tableau columns quickly.** You can move any card to an empty column, allowing you to build more cards.
* **Move Kings to free cells carefully.** Kings can only be moved back to an empty tableau column, given they are the highest-ranked card.
* **If you get stuck, use the undo button.** You may not always make the right moves, and you may need to reverse some to win the game.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What are some games similar to SpiderCells?

[FreeCell](https://solitaired.com/freecell), [Eight Off](https://solitaired.com/eightoff), [Baker's Game](https://solitaired.com/bakers), and [SeaHaven Towers](https://solitaired.com/seatowers) have similar rules with a face-up tableau and free cells.

### What are other popular Solitaire games?

Try these fun Solitaire games: 

* [Solitaire](https://solitaired.com/)
* [Mahjong](https://solitaired.com/mahjong)
* [Spider Solitaire](https://solitaired.com/spider-solitaire)
* [Crescent Solitaire](https://solitaired.com/crescent)
* [Yukon Solitaire](https://solitaired.com/yukon-solitaire)
* [TriPeaks Solitaire](https://solitaired.com/tripeaks-solitaire)
* [Pyramid Solitaire](https://solitaired.com/pyramid-solitaire)
* [Golf Solitaire](https://solitaired.com/golf)