Spider Solitaire: 1 Suit vs 2 Suits vs 4 Suits

Last reviewed on 2026-10-03

Spider Solitaire comes in three difficulty levels: 1 suit, 2 suits and 4 suits. Every level uses the same two decks (104 cards), the same ten columns and the same rules. The only difference is how many suits the cards are split into – and that changes the game completely. This guide explains what changes at each level and how to adjust your strategy.

Why the number of suits matters

In Spider you may put any card on a card one rank higher, whatever the suit. But you can only pick up and move a group of cards together if it is a run of a single suit, and only a complete King-to-Ace run of a single suit is removed from the table. The more suits there are, the more often your sequences are mixed, and mixed sequences are heavy: they can only be taken apart one same-suit section at a time.

1-suit Spider (easy)

All 104 cards are spades. Any descending sequence you build can be moved as a block, so the game is mostly about uncovering face-down cards and timing your five deals from the stock. It is the best way to learn the mechanics: dealing, empty columns and automatic removal of complete runs.

• Build the longest sequences you can; they will all be movable.
• Before each deal, try to empty a column or at least avoid leaving short columns with buried cards.

2-suit Spider (medium)

The cards are split between spades and hearts. You now have a choice almost every move: put a red 7 on a black 8 (legal, but it breaks the run) or wait for a red 8. This is the level most regular players consider “real” Spider.

• Prefer same-suit placements; when you must mix, try to do it at the bottom of a column where it will not block much.
• Use empty columns to separate a mixed sequence: move the bottom same-suit section into the empty column, then rebuild in suit.
• Count how many of each rank are still hidden before committing to a long mixed build.

4-suit Spider (hard)

Each suit appears only twice in the 104 cards, so same-suit runs come together slowly. Most building is mixed, and progress depends on keeping one or two columns empty as working space. Games are long and require a lot of undoing and re-planning.

• Treat empty columns as your most valuable resource; fill them only temporarily.
• Don’t build long mixed sequences that you cannot take apart again.
• Dealing from the stock with no empty column and many mixed sequences is often the moment the game is lost; prepare the table first.

Which level should you play?

If you are new to Spider, play 1-suit until you win comfortably, then move to 2 suits. Keep 4 suits for when you enjoy long puzzles and don’t mind losing more often. You can switch level at any time with the Suits buttons on the Spider Solitaire page, and the daily challenge includes a 2-suit Spider deal every day.

Frequently Asked Questions