Frequently Asked Questions About Spider Solitaire

Anna | February 10, 2025

Mascot Queen with a Spider Solitaire tableau in a speech bubble

We receive a lot of questions about Spider Solitaire in our mailbox so we have put together this FAQ to answer the most common ones. If you have questions about the game, you might find the answers you need right here, this could save you the trouble of sending an email!

Is Spider Solitaire Free?

Yes, just like all the games on FreeSolitaire.com, Spider Solitaire is 100% free and always will be. You can play directly in your browser without any cost, after all, the word free is right there in our domain name so don't worry, we won't be charging anytime soon, we're too busy shuffling cards for that:)

Can You Win Every Spider Solitaire Game?

No, your chances of winning depend on a few factors: the number of suits in play, how the cards are shuffled, and your strategy. The Spider game on our website is dealt completely randomly and you have unlimited undos.

Here's what our stats say about the win rates:

1-suit version: More than 90% win rate
2-suit version: Win rate between 40% to 50%
4-suit version: Win rate can be as low as 15%

If you use the best strategies and take advantage of the undo feature you can increase your chances of winning.

Why won’t the stock let me deal new cards in Spider Solitaire?

Spider Solitaire system notice explaining dealing rules

There is 1 special rule in Spider Solitaire: You cannot deal new cards from the stock unless all 10 tableau columns have at least 1 card. If a column is empty, like column 9 in Figure 1, you won't be able to deal. Normally you would see a prompt as shown in Figure 1, but if you previously turned off this alert by selecting “OK, don’t show again”, no warning will be displayed because your choices are remembered with cookies. This might make the game seem unresponsive but it’s just following your settings. But no worries, there is a simple solution: Just add a card to any empty column and you'll be able to deal new cards again.

What’s the Difference Between Solitaire and Spider Solitaire?

Solitaire is a broad term for many different card games and Spider Solitaire is just one of the most popular variations! Another well-known version is Klondike Solitaire, which is often just called "Solitaire." The main difference between them is the setup and gameplay. Klondike Solitaire uses 1 deck and the goal is to build ascending sequences (Ace to King) in alternating colors. Spider Solitaire, on the other hand, uses 2 decks and you create descending sequences (King to Ace) in the same suit. Spider Solitaire is more challenging because of the extra cards and the need to manage suits carefully.

Is Spider Solitaire Good for Your Brain?

Yes! Spider Solitaire helps improve focus, memory and decision-making skills, just like all other solitaire games. It also encourages forward planning and problem-solving. The game’s slow pace can also be relaxing, making it a great way to unwind while keeping your mind sharp.

What Do the Buttons in the Top Right Corner Do?

When you open our game, you notice a lot of small buttons in the top right corner. Each button is there to help you navigate or progress in the game. We have created a handy overview in Figure 2 to show what each button does. Keep in mind that none of these buttons will ask for confirmation before performing their action. For example, clicking the Restart button will instantly restart your game without any pop-ups or extra steps, it is just click and go, the way our players like it.

Help! I’m all out of moves, what should I do?

If you have checked all possible moves and even the hint button didn’t give you any result, you are probably out of moves… but not out of options. Here’s what you can try next:

Deal from the Stockpile: If there are still cards left in the stockpile, dealing a new set will almost always create new opportunities for moves.
Try the Undo Button: Use the undo button to go back as many steps as you want and try different strategies. Even a small change in your moves could lead to a win.
Restart the Game: If none of the above options worked and you still want to win, it might be time for a fresh start. Press the restart button to return to the beginning of the game and try a completely different strategy this time. The restart button is in the top right corner, shown as an icon with two curved arrows.

Every game of Spider Solitaire is a chance to improve and discover new strategies. Keep trying and you will get there eventually!