Strategy

Spider Solitaire strategy: build clean runs

Spider is won by improving the quality of the tableau, not by making the largest number of legal moves.

Beginner8 min readSpider Solitaire

Clean runs are real progress

Same-suit sequences move together and eventually leave the board. Mixed runs should be temporary.

Do not deal too early

A new row covers every column and can undo careful work. Reveal cards and consolidate suits first.

Protect empty columns

An empty column lets you separate mixed runs and rebuild them cleanly.

Keep in mind

  • Build in suit.
  • Reveal before dealing.
  • Create and protect an empty column.
  • Keep mixed runs temporary.