Play Spider Solitaire (1 Suit) Online for Free
Play unlimited games of 1-Suit Spider Solitaire online for free. No download or email registration required – play in full screen on desktop, tablet, or mobile. Start sorting cards by suit in descending order to clear the board!
What is Spider Solitaire?
Spider Solitaire (often called Spider Patience in the UK) is one of the most popular two-deck solitaire games in the world. Unlike classic Klondike Solitaire, where you build foundations from Ace to King by alternating colours, in this spider solitaire 1 suit game your goal is to assemble 13 cards of a suit, in descending sequence from King to Ace, directly within the tableau columns. Once a full sequence is formed, it is automatically removed from play. The game is won when all 104 cards have been assembled and removed from the board.
Pro Tip: Keyboard Shortcuts
Play faster and more comfortably like a pro using these quick hotkeys.
How to Play Spider Solitaire
Understanding the Playing Area
The initial board setup of Spider Solitaire 1 Suit distributes 54 cards across ten tableau columns, with the remaining 50 cards kept face-down in the stock pile on the top-left. As shown in the layout screenshot, only the top card of each column starts face-up, while all other cards below remain face-down and must be uncovered.
This layout is designed to challenge your card-sorting abilities. Familiarise yourself with the two distinct zones of the table:
- The Stock (Deck): The remaining 50 cards are kept face-down in the top-left corner. When you run out of legal moves on the board, clicking the stock deals a fresh row of 10 cards—one to each tableau column.
- The Tableau: Ten columns where the main sorting action happens. You will stack cards here in descending order to expose the face-down cards underneath.
Moving Cards in the Tableau
Tableau movements are purely descending. As shown in the move illustration, you can place a card or a fully organised descending sequence onto any card that is exactly one rank higher. Since all cards belong to the Spades suit, every sequence is fully mobile, making this the easiest variant of the game.
If you want to learn how to play spider patience, the core movement mechanics are straightforward. Card movement in Spider Solitaire 1 Suit requires stacking cards in descending numerical order (from King down to Ace). Since this is the 1-suit version, every single card belongs to the Spades suit, making card organisation much simpler than in multi-suit versions.
Master these core movement mechanics to progress:
- Moving Sequences: Because all cards are of the same suit, any descending sequence (e.g., 7-6-5-4) can be selected and moved together as a single block to another column.
- Valid Placements: You can place any card or sequence onto another card that is exactly one rank higher (for example, a 6 can go on a 7).
- Dealing New Cards: When you run out of moves, click the stock. You cannot deal new cards if any of the ten columns is empty.
Clearing the Board
When a complete 13-card sequence of Spades is built from King down to Ace, it is automatically removed from the tableau and sent to the foundation zone. As shown in the clear illustration, removing completed runs is key to freeing up empty columns, which are essential for manoeuvring other cards.
Your ultimate goal is to assemble a complete run of 13 cards of the same suit in descending order, starting from the King all the way down to the Ace. Once you place the Ace on the 2 of a completed sequence, that run is automatically swept from the tableau.
Clearing columns is essential for victory:
- Once a sequence is cleared, it frees up a tableau column. Empty columns are highly versatile because they can temporarily hold any card or sequence, helping you organise the rest of the board.
- The game is won once all 8 sequences (104 cards) are successfully built and cleared from the board.
Spider Solitaire 1 Suit vs. Classic Solitaire
To better understand how Spider Solitaire 1 Suit differs from Classic Klondike Solitaire, consult this comparison table:
| Feature | Spider Solitaire (1 Suit) | Classic Solitaire (Klondike) |
|---|---|---|
| Decks Used | 2 Decks (104 cards) | 1 Deck (52 cards) |
| Suits in Play | 1 Suit (Spades ♠️) | 4 Suits (♠️♥️♦️♣️) |
| Layout Structure | 10 Tableau columns | 7 Tableau columns |
| Tableau Building | Descending order (any card on card 1 rank higher) | Descending order, alternating colours |
| Moving Sequences | Any descending group can be moved | Only alternating colour sequences can be moved |
| Foundation Piles | Built directly on the Tableau, then cleared | Built separately from Ace to King by suit |
| Estimated Win Rate | ~50% - 60% with skilled play | ~30% average |
Difficulty Levels
Spider Solitaire is famously played in three distinct difficulty levels:
- 1 Suit (Easy): The perfect starting point for beginners. All 104 cards are Spades, meaning you can move any descending sequence together without suit-matching restrictions.
- 2 Suits (Medium): Played with two suits (usually Spades and Hearts). You can stack cards of different suits, but you can only move same-suit sequences together.
- 4 Suits (Hard): The ultimate challenge using all four suits. It requires intense strategic planning, as mixed-suit columns quickly block your moves.
Want to win more often?
Learn the secret strategies that top players use to beat Klondike Patience. From exposing hidden cards to smart stock management, we have you covered.
Learn Winning StrategiesAdvanced Strategies to Win Spider
To master the game and achieve a high win rate, keep these expert tips in mind:
- Build by suit whenever possible: Even though any card can go on another one rank higher, building pure sequences ensures they remain mobile.
- Prioritise empty columns: Empty columns are your most valuable resource. Use them to temporarily park cards and untangle mixed sequences.
- Expose hidden cards quickly: Focus on columns with fewer face-down cards to clear them out and open up new spaces.