Spider: practical guide
Learn the game clearly: rules, step‑by‑step examples and strategy to avoid mistakes.
60‑second summary:
Updated: 2025-11-12 • 6–12 min read
- Goal: build sequences King→Ace of the same suit to remove them.
- Layout: 10 tableau columns and a stock of face‑down cards.
- Move cards or sequences in descending order; suit rules depend on difficulty (1/2/4 suits).
- Deal a new row from stock when all columns have at least one card.
Beginner — start here
Objective Complete K→A sequences of the same suit.
Layout 10 tableau columns + stock piles.
Intermediate — core play
- Move descending sequences; same‑suit sequences move together.
- Empty columns are powerful — free one as early as possible.
- Only deal a new row when every column has at least one card.
Strategy & tips
- Prefer building sequences in the same suit to move them as a block.
- Expose facedown cards; avoid stacking different suits when possible.
- Save stock deals for when most columns are “tidy”.
Rules — quick reference
- Difficulty levels: 1, 2 or 4 suits (easiest → hardest).
- Complete a same‑suit K→A to remove it from the tableau.
- Empty columns may accept any single card or sequence (variant dependent).
Common mistakes
- Dealing a new row before freeing a column.
- Mixing suits, making sequences immovable.
- Not planning two or three moves ahead.
Glossary
Tableau: the columns on the board.
Sequence: a descending run of cards (K→A).
Stock: the undealt pile used to add new rows.
FAQ
Only in parts; full moves require same suit sequences.
When all columns have at least one card and your layout is as organised as possible.