Overview
Spider Solitaire is a single-player card puzzle about turning a crowded tableau into complete runs. Cardems uses the one-suit mode, so every card is a spade and the real challenge is uncovering hidden cards, preserving room to move, and finishing eight King-to-Ace sequences.
Objective
Complete eight face-up, same-suit sequences from King down to Ace. A completed sequence is removed automatically; you win when all eight runs have left the ten tableau columns.
Setup
The game uses 104 cards. Ten tableau columns receive 54 cards: the first four columns have six cards each and the other six have five. Only the top card of every column starts face up. The remaining cards form the stock for later deals.
How to Play
- Move a face-up card onto a face-up card exactly one rank higher. For example, move a 7 onto an 8.
- Move a group only when every card in that group is in one descending, same-suit sequence.
- Move any valid face-up card or valid same-suit group into an empty tableau column.
- When a move exposes a face-down card, Cardems turns that new top card face up automatically.
- Use the stock when it holds at least ten cards. A stock deal gives one face-up card to each non-empty tableau column.
Important Rules
- A complete run must contain exactly 13 face-up cards, King through Ace, all in the same suit.
- Completed runs are removed automatically and the newly exposed tableau card is turned face up.
- Empty columns accept any legal face-up card or same-suit descending group.
- Cardems does not require every tableau column to be occupied before a stock deal; its stock action is available whenever at least ten stock cards remain.
- You may place a card or group only on the next higher rank. An empty column is the only exception to that landing rule.
Scoring and Winning
The game begins at 500 points. Each successful tableau move and each stock deal costs 1 point, never reducing the score below zero. Removing a complete King-to-Ace run adds 100 points.
The score is separate from the win condition: the game is won only after all eight complete runs have been removed.
Strategy
Use an empty column as working space, not as permanent storage. Moving a long run into it can uncover a card, but filling it with a card that has no onward move may remove your best way to reorganize the tableau.
Keep an eye on the stock. Because each deal adds cards to the non-empty columns, make the most of the visible cards before adding another layer. If two possible moves reveal cards, prefer the one that leaves a clear follow-up landing place.
Difficulty Mode
Cardems currently uses one-suit Spider only. There is no two-suit or four-suit difficulty selector in this version.
To compare Spider with Klondike, learn the rules of Klondike Solitaire.
FAQ
Can I move cards in different suits as a group?
No. A movable group must be a continuous descending sequence in one suit. Cardems Spider deals only spades, so a correctly ordered run is always same-suit.
What removes a completed run?
The bottom of a tableau column must contain all 13 face-up ranks from King down to Ace. Cardems removes that run automatically.
Can I deal from the stock with an empty column?
Yes. The app enables the stock action when at least ten stock cards remain; it does not impose an all-columns-filled restriction.
Does every descending run disappear?
No. A run leaves the tableau only when it contains all 13 face-up ranks from King through Ace. Shorter runs remain available to move and build on.
What is the most common move mistake?
Moving a group that leaves a face-down card covered is legal, but it may not improve the position. Look for moves that expose hidden cards or preserve an empty column for the next sequence.
