Spider Solitaire strategy: win more games

One-suit Spider is mostly about patience. Two and four suits reward planning. These principles work at every level.

1. Empty a column as soon as you can

An empty column is the most powerful thing in Spider. It lets you split a mixed sequence, reorder runs and dig out buried cards. Focus early on the shortest columns (the six on the right start with five cards) and on uncovering face-down cards.

2. Build in suit whenever there is a choice

Any card can go on a card one higher, but only same-suit runs move together and only a same-suit King-to-Ace run is cleared. When you have two possible targets, choose the one of the same suit, even if the other looks convenient.

3. Use the empty column to sort, then fill it with a King

Moving a long mixed sequence needs temporary space. Use an empty column to take the bottom same-suit part, move the rest, then bring the part back. Once you have nothing left to sort, a King-led run is the best thing to put in an empty column because nothing can ever cover it.

4. Before you deal from the stock

• Make every move that uncovers a card or improves a suit run.
• Try to have high cards at the bottom of columns: a new card dealt on a King or Queen is easier to use than one dealt on a 3.
• Remember you must fill empty columns before dealing, so plan which card will go there.

5. Two and four suits

With more suits, avoid long mixed sequences – they are hard to take apart later. Prefer moves that keep options open, use undo to test lines, and don’t worry about a lower score from extra moves: winning matters more.

Play Spider Solitaire and try these ideas on 2 suits.