Spider Solitaire

Goal

Form eight sets of cards of the same suit from King to Ace within the Columns.

The Deal

Using two decks, ten Columns of cards are dealt 5 or 6 cards each. The first four Columns are dealt 6 cards, the next six Columns are dealt 5 cards each. All cards are dealt face down except for the last card in each Column

Stock

Every click on the Stock will deal one card to each Column. Click on the Stock after no more moves are possible (or desirable) in the layout. All Columns must contain at least one card before the cards will be dealt. There are no redeals.

Columns

Columns are built DOWN in ANY SUIT. However, since the goal is to build sets of cards in the same suit, you should prefer building down in the same suit.

The topmost card of each Column is always available for play. Also, cards of the same suit and in sequence may be moved to another Column provided the above build rule applies. For example, an 8, 7, and 6 of Spades may move to any 9. However, an 8 of clubs, 7 and 6 of Spades may not move as a unit because they are not all of the same suit.

Sequences may be split apart once formed. For example, in a sequence of 8, 7, 6 of Spades, the 7 and 6 may be split apart from the 8 in order to be played to another 8.

When a sequence of King through Ace in the same suit is formed within a Column, it is removed from the layout.

Empty Columns may be filled with any card or movable sequence of cards. All Columns must contain a card before more cards can be dealt from the Stock.

One point is scored for each card built within a Column starting with a King. For example, if a Column has a K, Q, and J of the same suit in sequence then three points are scored for that combination. A full set of King through Ace in the same suit is 13 points.

Game Notes

Spider Solitaire on Solitaire Network has been modified to be brought into line with the standard rules of Spider as are common in many other solitaire packages. If you are looking for the previous rule set, it is now named Spider-Relaxed.

The only difference between the standard and relaxed variations is that in the standard version of the game, the sets of cards from King to Ace must be in the same suit instead of in any suit.

You might also wish to try the Easy version which is the same as the Relaxed version, but you are also allowed to move groups of cards of combined suits.