Spider Solitaire is a popular two-deck card game that has existed in its present form since 1949. It became popular worldwide when Microsoft included it in its games pack for Windows 98, and it is still enjoyed by many players. The name stems from the fact that you need to form eight foundation piles to win, just like the eight legs of a spider.
Nowadays, it most commonly has three variants, with one, two, or four suits in the game. Spider Solitaire 2 Suits is the most moderate, as it increases the challenge from the standard version but just by adding one more suit.
How to win Spider Solitaire 2 Suits? Keep on reading to learn the rules, and check out a few 2 Suit Solitaire tips that can increase your chances of winning!
How to Play Spider Solitaire With 2 Suits? ♠️
After mastering Spider Solitaire 1 Suit, it can be a great idea to make the gameplay a bit more varied and difficult and proceed to the variants with 2 suits.
If you particularly like challenging games, you can also start with this version even without playing the standard one. Either way, it is worth learning the rules carefully before you start playing.
The Goal 💡
To progress in Spider Solitaire 2 Suits, you need to build sequences within the tableau. They need to be arranged by suit in descending order from King to Ace.
When you finish such a sequence, you can transfer it to one of the eight foundation piles. When all of them are filled, you win the game.
The Layout 📐
Unlike many other Solitaire variants, this version uses two decks of two different suits. The game space consists of the following parts here:
- The Tableau: The tableau is where the main gameplay takes place. 54 cards are dealt out from left to right, forming 10 columns. There are 6 cards in the first 4 columns and 5 cards in the following ones. All the cards are face-down, apart from the last one in each column. You need to move the cards within the tableau to form same-suit descending sequences, which can then be transferred to foundation piles.
- Foundation Piles: There are no established foundation piles to which you can transfer the cards one by one, like in the classic Klondike Solitaire. Instead, there’s a space where you can transfer a complete same-suit sequence in descending order, built within the tableau. You need to fill in all eight foundation piles to win the game.
- The Stockpile: The remaining 50 cards form the stockpile, all turned face-down. When no more moves within the tableau are possible, you can use the stockpile to place one face-up card on each column. You can do it multiple times, up to a point where the stock finishes.
The Rules 📖
Here are the main rules you need to follow in Spider Solitaire 2 Suits:
- Play with face-up cards. You can move only the face-up cards from one column to another. There are ten of them at the start, but as you rearrange face-up cards, you will uncover new cards and create new movement opportunities.
- Arrange single cards by rank, regardless of suit. While moving individual cards, you don’t have to pay attention to colors or suits. You can place any card on top of a card that is one rank higher. For example, you can put 5 of the Diamonds on top of 6 of the Clubs.
- Move same-suit card sequences. In this game, you’re allowed to move card sequences within the tableau only when they’re of the same suit. You can place such a card group on a card that is one rank higher, no matter the suit.
- Follow the descending order in building sequences. You need to form sequences that descend from King to Ace of the same suit. When they’re complete, they’ll be transferred to one of the eight foundation piles you need to fill in to win the game.
- Move any card to an empty column. In multiple Solitaire games, including the classic Klondike and the challenging Forty Thieves Solitaire, you can move only the King (or a sequence starting with it) to an empty column. In Spider Solitaire games, you have more freedom. You can move any card of any card sequence (provided that it is of the same suit, as only those are movable) to fill an empty column, reveal more hidden cards, and get new movement opportunities.
- Deal cards from the stockpile when you can’t move. When you’re stuck, you can use the stockpile to deal with the new 10 face-up cards. However, it should be treated as a last resort because it may break the sequences you have already started building. What’s more, it’s only allowed to use the stockpile if all the columns are filled with at least one card.
2 Suit Spider Solitaire Strategy Tips ✔️
Here are some 2 Suit Spider Solitaire tips that can increase your chances of winning the game:
- Think carefully before you move. You can easily make a mistake and miss a great opportunity if you rush your moves in Spider Solitaire. For this reason, focus while playing the game and don’t rush your actions.
- Focus on building same-suit sequences: Even though you can build sequences of any suit, strongly prioritize grouping the same suit. In this way, you are taking a step towards filling all the foundation piles and winning the game. Also, you make them movable, so your gameplay can be more flexible.
- Reveal as many hidden cards as you can. Revealing the face-down cards will create new movement opportunities, so it can be very beneficial for your progress.
- Fill empty columns with higher-ranking cards (or sequences starting with them). You can fill the foundation piles only with descending sequences, going from the King to the Ace. Therefore, when you have an empty space in the tableau, fill it with a card you can place many cards on – the higher the rank, the better for you.
- Deal cards from the stockpile only when you can’t move. Drawing cards from the stockpile can help you when you get stuck, but take into consideration that it covers all the columns with one additional face-up card, meaning that it can also block your already initiated same-suit sequences.
- Use the undo or hint button if you need to. Playing Solitaire online means that you can benefit from certain enhancements, such as the undo button when you make a mistake or the hint feature when you have no idea what to do next. There’s nothing wrong with it since you’re playing for fun! They aren’t allowed only in competitions.
The Final Note 🕸️
Working on the Spider Solitaire strategy for the 2-Suit variant involves focus, tactical skills, and careful planning, so it can be a great stimulation for your brain. What’s more, such immersive gameplay can help you take a break from your daily routine for a moment and relax. It poses a moderate challenge, a bit higher than the 1-Suit game but lower than the 4-Suit version.
After learning the rules and acquiring the 2-Suit Spider Solitaire tips we provided, you’re ready to try out the game. Visit Solitaire.com and play Spider Solitaire 2 Suits for free without registration, or our app to enjoy it on the go!