It is generally played mostly electronic, unless you have multiple decks with the same back. Once you get into it, it will pull you like a spider's web - you won't come off until you solve the puzzle!

Where does the name spider solitaire come from?

Why does Spider Solitaire get its lovely name? It is difficult to say, although in reference to it there are often cute decorations on the backs of cards - cartoon arachnids. This version is strongly discouraged from arachnophobes / -phobics! Perhaps the title is related to the layout of the table, namely the eight empty spaces on which all the elements should be carefully sorted (this is the main goal of the game). They connect symbolically with the eight legs that characterize each spider.

How to sort cards in Spider Solitaire?

How should the cards be sorted? The order is determined by their so-called seniority - an ace is the least senior, then a two and subsequent numbers up to ten, then a jack, queen and king. Depending on the difficulty level, this may be more or less problematic. The lowest level of advancement is a single color (peak), medium is two colors, and difficult is four. However, there are always exactly eight sets in the game. So hypothetically: if you want to play the analog version, for the easiest level you need cards from as many as eight decks, to medium from four decks, and to difficult only from two decks.

What are the rules of Spider Solitaire?

Spider Solitaire starts off in a columnar layout - you have four sections of six cards and the same number of sections of five cards. The ones closest to you are facing you. Additionally, on the side there is an auxiliary bank (as with most solitaire games) from which you can add items when you run out of movement. In this case, however, you do not take out individual cards, but entire rows - so you have to do it carefully enough not to cover strategic places.

The activity in the work area is to sort cards into piles. Start with the easy level - everything fits here. You create oblong sections that start with the king and end with the lowest ace (but they can actually start at any point). You can easily modify them - once you have an entire column, for example from nine to two, grab it and move it to ten. When you manage to create a set, it is moved to one of the eight honorable places and placed ace up - from now on you cannot move it.

How to play Spider Solitaire on higher difficulty levels?

The matter becomes complicated at an intermediate level. Two colors bring some difficulties - you have to sort them separately, i.e. if you have hearts and clubs, the red heart should have a section and the black acorn - separate. To get things sorted out, you can work together to create mixed sets. Remember, however, that they are not mobile - here's the trick. Only sets made of cards of the same color can be transferred!

Now imagine a difficult level - all four colors, the same number of places and the same job to be done. Here you have to show extraordinary cleverness, as well as sharpness of the mind - when you mix up the columns too much, for example by creating a system of ten of hearts, nine of clubs and eight of diamonds, you run the risk of getting involved in a situation from which it will be very difficult to get out. So try to combine as little as possible. Spider solitaire is really hard in this level! Nothing, however, beats the satisfaction of smoothly arranging the whole thing.

In order not to get discouraged, start one after another - when the first level is too easy, test the next ones. Are you looking for a real challenge? Test online challenges where you have a limited time to complete the task. Good luck!