Spider Solitaire (4 Suits) Objective
Your goal in Spider Solitaire (4 Suits) is to move all the cards to the eight foundation piles, which are separated by suit. You do this by completing same-suit sequences descending from ace to king in the tableau. Once a full sequence is completed, it automatically moves to a foundation pile.
With an 8% win rate, the 4-Suit version of Spider Solitaire is the most advanced version. Spider Solitaire 1 Suit is good for beginners, while Spider Solitaire 2 Suits poses an intermediate challenge.
How to Play Spider Solitaire (4 Suits)
Spider Solitaire (4 Suits) uses two decks of cards and three key areas of gameplay:
- The tableau is where you sequence cards in descending order. It consists of 54 cards in ten columns. The last card in each column is face up.
- The stockpile is where you draw from when you can’t make more moves. Each time you use it a card is dealt to the bottom of each column. You can only use it five times throughout the game.
- The foundation piles are where completed same-suit sequences go. Because you’re using two decks, this version has two sequences per suit, and you must complete all eight foundation piles to win.
While the rules are the same as any other Spider Solitaire game, this variation is much more complicated because you have to carefully arrange four different suits, making it harder to build and move complete sequences without blocking potential plays.
Here’s a quick refresher on the basic rules to keep in mind as you play:
- You can sequence cards in descending order, regardless of suit or color, but always prioritize same-suit sequences.
- You can only move same-suit sequences of cards together. For example, a 4♦ and 3♦ can be moved as a group, but a 5♥ and a 4♦ cannot.
- If a facedown card is uncovered, flip it face up. Revealing hidden cards in the tableau columns is a high priority to put more cards into play.
- Use the stockpile when you can’t make a move. When you use the stockpile, a card is dealt to the bottom of each column. It contains 50 cards, so you can only use it five times.
- Place any card or same-suit group of cards in an empty column. You can also leave the column empty to help you rearrange cards in the tableau.
- When you complete a same-suit sequence (king to ace) in the tableau, move it to a foundation pile.
Spider Solitaire (4 Suits) Strategies
In 4 Suits, Spider Solitaire strategy is essential to win the game.
- Prioritize same-suit sequences. If you mix suits across multiple columns, especially early in the game, you’ll create a lot of roadblocks that can be impossible to correct as the game progresses.
- If you can’t make a same-suit move, determine the move that will open up the most options. Sometimes none of your moves build on a same-suit run. In that case, choose the move that reveals a facedown card, frees a useful number, or creates a near-empty column.
- Focus on uncovering cards in shorter stacks. This will help you create empty columns faster. Empty columns are a big advantage in 4-Suit Solitaire card games because they help you organize the tableau.
- Consider how you can add order to the tableau. Cluttered mixed-suit stacks limit your options and create bottlenecks. A large part of Spider Solitaire 4 Suits gameplay is organizing and reorganizing stacks of cards in the tableau to set yourself up for long-term success.
- Use the undo button to determine the best move. The undo button helps you explore different paths so you can choose the right move or complete moves in the most beneficial order.
If you’d like to explore other card games, we offer dozens, including classic Klondike Solitaire, FreeCell, and Pyramid. Sign up for a free account to keep track of your high scores, win rate, and
