The name “Solitaire” actually refers to a number of different types of games a person can play as an individual. Although the name more frequently refers to one-player card games, it can refer to other types of single player games as well, including board games, tile games, and some computer games. Spider Solitaire, Klondike, Peg and Mahjong Solitaire are just a few of the variations.
Sometimes referred to as “Patience”, Klondike is the most common form of the game. Using a regular deck of 52 cards with the jokers removed from play, the cards are placed in receding order. Cards must be of opposite color in the beginning of the game. As aces appear, they are placed at the top of the tableaus and built upon in sequence by suit. When all of the cards have played ace to king, the game is over. There are many variants to this version of the game.
Mahjong Solitaire is a variant with which numerous patterned tiles are used instead of cards. The object of this version is to remove matching tiles from play, which in turn exposes the next layer of tiles. The game continues until all tiles are removed.
Peg is a game of a much different variety. Small pegs or marbles are placed onto a bloc of wood, and moved as space allows “jumping” over other singular pegs. Jumped pegs are removed, and the game continues until one peg remains.
An unusual and more advanced variation is Spider Solitaire. Instead of only one deck of cards, Spider requires two decks. The cards are combined and laid out in ten stacks or tableau piles. With the more common version, all four suits are used, and cards are played atop cards of the same suit in receding order. Cards that are played off suit prevent the entire group from being able to move. Becoming unable to move, or being “blocked” will end the game.
To avoid becoming blocked and losing the game, one must attempt to play cards on the same suit. Empty spaces should not be filled frivolously, as they can be the only “out” when a player is blocked. If a player has no choice but to mix suits, it is a good idea to play as high of cards as possible. When a tableau obtains a group of cards in proper sequence of the same suit, the cards are removed. When all of the cards have been placed according to suit and sequence, the player wins the game.
There are a few more simple variations to the Spider version of solitaire as well. Playing with one suit, where the player uses only one suit throughout the game, or playing with two suits, where two suits are used are two of the easiest variations of the game. Of course there is also Black Widow; a version of the game in which, if placed in proper sequence, the groups of cards can be moved regardless of matching suits.
Today’s technology has added even more variables to the classic card games. While some computers come with preloaded software that includes various versions, players can also purchase disks, download games, and even play online. The choices are endless, bringing variety to a solitaire lover’s world.
You can play Spider Solitaire along with many other free solitaire games online right now.