YOURGAMES · PLAYER-PROBLEM GUIDE
Spider Solitaire One-Suit Strategy
Build king-to-ace runs by preserving empty columns, exposing hidden cards, sequencing moves, and timing stock deals.
Rules checked against the playable version · Updated September 8, 2026
One-suit Spider removes suit conflicts but still rewards planning. Descending face-up runs move together and complete king-to-ace runs disappear. The constraints are covered cards, workspace, and ten-card deals.
In YourGames, empty columns accept any movable run, but Deal is unavailable while any column is empty.
Treat empty columns as working memory
An empty column lets you park a run while unpacking another. Do not fill it merely because a move is legal. Identify the covered card you want to expose and the temporary space required.
Prefer moves that reveal face-down cards. If two do, retain longer ordered runs and fewer isolated high cards.
- Build clean runs before merging piles.
- Keep one flexible column when possible.
- Move whole runs instead of breaking order.
Worked example: judge the source
The same legal move can be excellent or wasteful. Judge what the source reveals, not only the destination.
Example position
Column A ends 9-8-7, B ends 10, and C is empty. Move 9-8-7 onto 10 when A has a face-down card: you gain information. If A is already visible, preserving C may be better for a future jack-to-six reorganization.
Prepare before a stock deal
A deal adds one card to every column and can bury nearly complete runs. First make useful moves, consolidate fragments, and protect vulnerable sequences.
Use empty workspace fully before refilling it; Deal stays blocked until every column contains a card.
- Do not deal because no obvious move appears.
- Do not waste an empty column on one isolated card.
- Do not chase one run while ignoring easy reveals.
- Do not bury an ordered tail without recovery space.
Frequently asked questions
Complete a run or expose a card?
Usually expose the card unless the run completes immediately without consuming essential workspace.
Which sequences move together?
Any face-up sequence descending exactly one rank.
Why is Deal disabled?
A column is empty, fewer than ten stock cards remain, or the game ended.
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