Spider Solitaire: A Strategy Guide For Beginners

Spider solitaire is a well-known solitaire game, which has gained a lot in popularity since Microsoft have started shipping it free with windows. It is very hard though, and many people want to know how they can increase their chances of winning.

The aim of spider solitaire is to build an ascending suit sequence in the foundation zone. But this is easier said than done! Particularly when playing 4 suit spider, it can sometimes seem nearly impossible to finish the game.

But there are strategies you can use to dramatically increase your chances of winning. But before I go into that, a quick note. In this article, I assume you have a solitaire game that allows multi-undo, and that you don't mind using it. Some people don't have a solitaire program that supports multi-level undo, or feel that using undo is somehow "cheating". These people can still get something out of this article, but not everything they read may apply.

So what is the golden secret to winning spider solitaire?

It's simple! Empty-Columns are the key!

The first objective of spider solitaire is to get a vacant column. The objective after that is to try and get another vacant column. Once you have 2 vacant columns, the game starts to become winnable, but if you can, try and form yet another empty column. Once you get to 3 or 4 empty columns, you have a very good chance of winning, unless you get an extremely unlucky run of cards.

Getting The First Empty Column... The first move you should make in the game is whatever the highest rank card that can play is. If given a choice, play from the stacks on the right hand side, as the 6 right hand stacks start with one less card.

From then on, play cards in this order or priority:

  • If a stack is closer to other stacks to being complete, play that card (if you can)
  • If you can't play from the stack which is closest to being emptied, than play the card with the highest rank.
  • If 2 or more cards have the same high rank, and one of them can be played into a same suit sequence, then play that one.

    • Keep playing like this, until a column is emptied, or you run out of moves

    Once a column has been emptied, the focus of the game changes a little. There are now 3 main objectives, "cleanup", "re-arrange", and "expose". An overriding principal at this time is to try and keep the empty columns. Vacant columns give you a lot more choices in the game, and whenever possible, you only want to fill your empty columns temporarily.

    CLEANING UP
    The first objective for the second phase of the game is "cleanup". This is my term for re-arranging columns so that they become same-suit sequences.

    For example, suppose you had 2 columns. The first one has:

  • 7 Diamonds
  • 6 Hearts

    • and the second one has:

  • 7 Clubs
  • 6 Diamonds

    • We can temporarily use the empty column, to rearrange the columns so that these columns become:

  • 7 Diamonds
  • 6 Diamonds

    • and:

  • 7 Clubs
  • 6 Hearts

    • We do this by moving:

  • 6 of Diamonds into the empty column
  • 6 of Hearts onto the 7 of Clubs
  • 6 Of Diamonds onto the 7 of Diamonds

    • The main thing to note here, is that after we have finished cleaning up this sequence, the empty column is still vacant. This is critical, because we always need to keep our columns empty when possible.

    RE-ARRANGING
    After we have cleaned up any sequences we can find, the next objective is to re- arrange any columns. This is simply moving any sequences we can, to form longer sequences. If moving the sequence will expose a new card (or a card that is not part of the sequence), then we always move it. The rest of the time it's a judgement call, based on whether the new sequence will be the same suit, as well as what other cards are holding up the game at the moment.

    EXPOSING
    Lastly, we try and expose new cards, whilst trying to maintain our empty column. We do this by using multi-level undo:

    • Move a card/sequence into the empty column, which exposes a new card.
    • If the new card allows us to move the original sequence back do so.

    If the new exposed card does not allow us to move it back, try moving a different card/sequence instead. If you can't expose any new cards whilst keeping the vacant column, then try dealing some cards from the talon.

    The most important thing is to create empty columns, and try and keep them empty! Now, will these strategies help you to win every game? No, they won't. Are there better strategies? Yes, and you'll probably come up with some of your own as you play the game some more. But the strategies above should prove a good foundation to help you start winning more games.

    Dan Fletcher is a developer at dogMelon. They make Classic Solitaire, a fun solitaire game for Mac, Windows and Palm. Try out a free demo of Mac Solitaire today.

    In The News:

    pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    Gambling Comps 101 or The Ask Game

    Gambling Comps 101 or The Ask Game I don't know... Read More

    Why Underdogs are the Smart Bet in Soccer Betting

    Underdog or favorite? It's a choice we make everyday throughout... Read More

    Three Card Poker Betting

    A player must be aware of how to place bets... Read More

    World Series of Poker Tournament Circuit

    On October 25, 2004 Harrah's announced the creation of the... Read More

    Poker Face in Cyberspace

    His palms are sweaty and his heart is racing, but... Read More

    Tips On How To Gamble

    How would you like to have your name on a... Read More

    Las Vegas Gambling Basics

    The gambling scene, not only of North America but also... Read More

    How to Succeed in the Poker Freerolls Part 1

    Online poker freerolls are a unique breed amongst poker tournaments... Read More

    The Secrets of Remembering True Odds

    Pssst...! Wanna know a secret?How about the secret to remembering... Read More

    Alternate Payment Methods Made Easy

    Credit cards may be the easier way to purchase casino... Read More

    2005 AFC North Football Preview

    In the AFC North I expect to see the Pittsburgh... Read More

    Online Casino Black Jack

    Online casino black jack is said to have originated in... Read More

    Slot Machine Basics 101

    Let's begin with a little bit of basic knowledge about... Read More

    A Beginners Strategy Guide to Online Micro Limit Hold Em

    It's hard to miss the fact that the last two... Read More

    Money Management: The Real Smart Money

    Money Management: Picking "your" spotI'm sure we've all talked about... Read More

    Slot Machines - Good and Bad Locations

    Although no one will ever truly know where the casinos... Read More

    Compulsive Gambler Shares His Recovery Story About Gamblers Anonymous Now That He Stopped

    A compulsive gambler who participated in Gamblers Anonymous program shared... Read More

    Party Poker Sign up Bonus Code Tutorial

    I have had a lot of emails from people who... Read More

    What To Do With Your Winnings So You Dont Go Broke

    It's been proven time and time again that the majority... Read More

    Blackjack - Increase Your Odds With Basic Strategy Plus

    Blackjack Basic Strategy, played perfectly in a game with favorable... Read More

    Playing Live Casino Poker for the First Time - What You Should Know!

    The type of game and the stakes you are going... Read More

    The New Face of Poker - Internet Poker

    There are several online poker rooms that offer Poker games... Read More

    Online Gambling For Newbies

    Often incorporating creative and realistic graphics along with high tech... Read More

    American Gambling Basics

    Casinos have always been a destination for the wealthy and... Read More

    The Silver Club Casino

    The Book is run by Leroy's Sports Book and is... Read More

    The History of Roulette

    The term "Roulette" is derived from a French word meaning... Read More

    Fancy Winning A Million Pound Jackpot?

    Slot machines have become over the last hundred years, one... Read More

    Gender Differences in Gambling

    Being a fairly regular gambler, I have noticed a few... Read More

    Gambling Equipment 101

    The excitement and popularity of the gambling games entices few... Read More

    YOUR Advantage With Online Poker Table Notes

    The importance of taking notes on your opponents can't be... Read More

    Basic Jacks or Better Video Poker Strategy

    Video Poker is a game of skill - and using... Read More

    Roulette System: Confession of the Roulette Dealer on Dealers Signature

    Roulette System: Confession of the Roulette Dealer on Dealer's signatureThis... Read More

    Gambling Interesting Facts

    SoccerbettingIs there such thing as "kangtao" or surewin tips?I have... Read More