Tangled in a sticky web of cards? Don’t let Spider Solitaire get the best of you! With the right strategies, you can tip the scales from frustration to victory.

Luckily for you, this guide has you fully covered. Whether you’re a beginner learning the ropes, an intermediate honing your style, or an expert striving for perfection, we’ll teach you every Spider Solitaire strategy you need to take your game to the next level. We’ll also introduce you to Pogo, a top-tier gaming platform where you can test your Spider Solitaire skills and play hundreds of free online games.

Join us as we let you in on all the Spider Solitaire strategic secrets!

How to win at Spider Solitaire: Tips for all skill levels

Observe cards and their locations

Mastering Spider Solitaire starts with a sharp eye. With two decks in play, keeping tabs on card locations, along with suits and ranks, is at the heart of this game. By analyzing the tableau like a spider sizing up its prey, you’ll discover which sequences are buildable and optimize your card placements.

Prioritize uncovering hidden cards

You can only play face-up cards, but the hidden ones hold the key to triumph. The faster you reveal them, the more options you gain, so don’t let buried potential hinder your progress. Every card you flip brings you one step closer to conquering the game and boosting your Pogo score!

Stack cards in the correct order

Stack correctly by placing face-up cards onto those that rank higher. You can also move sequences, but only when they’re in the same suit. Keep in mind that the ultimate goal is to build full descending sequences within the same suit from king to ace, so always focus on extending your in-suit chains to dominate the tableau.

Free spaces and use them to your advantage

Free spaces are your secret weapon. Leverage them strategically to organize your cards, unlock hidden combinations, and create more room for stacking. With the right timing, they’ll give you the upper hand in your quest for Pogo glory!

Reshuffle and use the redo or undo button as needed

Sometimes, the best move is to step back and reassess, so don’t hesitate to press the reshuffle or undo buttons when you hit a snag. A well-timed use of these powerful tools can turn the game around, giving you a fresh shot at victory.

Practice patience

Rushing leads to mistakes. Take it easy, scan the tableau, and weigh your options. Sometimes, a single thoughtful pause can save you many moves (and plenty of frustration) later.

How to beat Spider Solitaire: 4 intermediate strategies

1. Go one step beyond

Push your Spider Solitaire skills further by always staying one step ahead. One wrong move now can block your entire game later, so anticipate how each play will shape the tableau and outsmart the game on Pogo!

2. Don’t trust hints 100%

Hints can be helpful but don’t rely on them blindly. They don’t necessarily show the best move—just an available one. Think critically, consider your choices, and trust your strategic instincts. You might be surprised at what you can achieve by finding your own solutions.

3. Minimize stockpile usage

While stockpiles are a lifeline, they can quickly backfire and turn into a trap. Instead, try to make the most of your tableau as it is, saving the stockpile for when you truly need to keep the game flowing. Make each stockpile card count and start racking up those Pogo points like a champ!

4. Create ‘wild’ columns for mixed-suit flexibility

Columns of mixed-suit cards, also known as ‘wild’ columns, are your shortcut to flexibility. These versatile stacks open up more options by letting you organize other stacks by suit and adapt the layout to your needs.

7 advanced tricks to winning Spider Solitaire

1. Focus on building full sequences early

Start strong by aiming for full sequences before the tableau tightens up. This way, you put yourself in a commanding position right from the get-go, giving you an early advantage. The sooner you build them, the closer you get to climbing the Pogo ranks!

2. Use empty columns to your advantage

Empty columns are game-changers that open up a world of potential. See them as your blank canvas—ideal for freeing up face-up cards, uncovering those hidden, and wriggling out of tight spots.

3. Minimize random dealing from the stockpile

Stockpile deals are tempting but resist. Each stockpile card adds randomness to the tableau and buries other cards you may need, so make sure you’ve squeezed every possible move from the current layout first. Selective use of the stockpile can save the game and earn some serious Pogo points!

4. Play with one suit before tackling multi-suit modes

Start small with just one suit to get the hang of Spider Solitaire. This gradual approach is crucial to perfect the pattern recognition and strategic skills you’ll rely on later. Once you’ve got that down, tackling multi-suit modes will be a puzzle you can crack with confidence.

5. Avoid unnecessary moves to maximize your score

Efficiency fuels high scores, so avoid the trap of random clicking and be sure to optimize every move. Think carefully before acting, and you’ll be on the fast track to a record-breaking Pogo score!

6. Build out-of-suit sequences with higher cards first

When building out-of-suit sequences, start with the highest cards. This increases their potential, as they create more space for temporary storage. If you start with the lower ones, you’ll quickly reach an ace, rendering the stack a dead weight.

7. Strategic roles of Kings and Aces

Kings and aces rule the tableau, but they’ll rule over you if you play them wrong. Kings can’t be placed on top of another card, making them tricky to work around when a queen or an empty column is not in sight, while Aces are roadblocks that lock a pile in place until cleared. Managing both wisely is pivotal to keeping your game flexible.

Avoid these 3 common mistakes

1. Failing to plan your moves ahead

Jumping into moves without a well-thought-out blueprint can quickly derail your game. Take a moment to plan ahead, anticipating your next few moves and how they’ll affect the tableau. Train your strategic foresight and you’ll leave dead ends in the past.

2. Wasting empty columns early

While empty columns are a precious resource, using them too soon can limit your options down the line. Savvy players hold onto them until they’ve built a solid foundation and need the space for more strategic moves.

3. Overusing the stockpile without clearing sequences

It’s easy to overuse the stockpile when things get tough, but doing so without clearing sequences only slows you down. Work through the tableau first to maximize the impact of your stockpile draws and watch those winning streaks on Pogo pile up!

How to analyze your game to become a pro player

Keep track of key moves

Stay alert for key moves—turning points that can either set up a victory or back you into a corner. Identifying what worked and what didn’t sharpens your strategy over time and turns you into a more skilled player.

Learn from losses

Losses aren’t just setbacks, but rather opportunities for growth. When you lose, take a step back and reflect on what went wrong and why. Dissecting your defeats allows you to identify your weaknesses, mend your strategic gaps, and work your way up the Pogo leaderboard!

Replay challenging games

Challenging games are your personal training ground. Replay them, search for missed chances, and explore different paths. With each attempt, you refine your skills while building confidence for dominating even tougher layouts.

Record your progress 

Want to see how far you’ve come? Record your wins, losses, and session times. This data reveals gameplay patterns, fuels motivation, and provides tangible proof of your improvement. Track your journey, and those coveted Pogo victories will follow!

Study expert games

Watching expert games in action is like having a front-row seat to top-tier strategy. Study how pros maximize their moves, manage card flow, and handle tricky situations. Apply what you learn from the best, and your gameplay will never be the same.

Join online communities

Seasoned players don’t play alone. To become one, join online communities like Pogo’s forum and blog and connect with fellow Spider Solitaire enthusiasts. The best insights for success often come from those who share your passion.

Study the tableau and the stockpile to anticipate cards

By monitoring both face-up cards on the tableau and the stockpile count, you can sometimes predict what’s coming next. It’s an advanced trick that takes plenty of practice, but mastering it helps you make smarter calls on when to deal and when to hold back.

Best Solitaire games available online (2025)

Rainy Day Spider Solitaire HD

Chase away the rainy day blues in Rainy Day Spider Solitaire HD! Featuring multiple difficulty levels, strategic gameplay, and rewarding surprises, this thrilling game is the go-to choice for Spider Solitaire fans seeking the ultimate challenge.

• Free/Premium: Free, with premium features available.
• Online/Downloadable: Online.
• Extra features: Free cells, scratcher cards, extra free columns, and special badges.

Payday FreeCell HD

Looking for a royal fan? Payday FreeCell HD is calling your name! This game blends a regal theme with FreeCell Solitaire for a card pastime fit for a king!

• Free/Premium: Free.
• Online/Downloadable: Online.
• Extra features: Scratcher cards.

Snowbird Solitaire

Escape to a tropical paradise with cute snowbirds in Snowbird Solitaire! Enjoy Tri-Peaks Solitaire puzzles, overcome tricky obstacles, and design your perfect island resort.

• Free/Premium: Free, with premium features available.
• Online/Downloadable: Online.
• Extra features: Power-ups, boosters, extra levels, and special badges.

Jet Set Solitaire

The sky’s the limit in Jet Set Solitaire! In this globetrotting adventure, you can fly through hundreds of Tri-Peaks Solitaire levels and explore famous landmarks around the world.

• Free/Premium: Free, with premium features available.
• Online/Downloadable: Online.
• Extra features: Power-ups, limited-time events, and extra obstacles.

Solitaire Home Story

Give an old family home a fresh new look in Solitaire Home Story! Solve engaging classic Solitaire puzzles, unlock charming décor options, and play over 1,500 exciting levels.

• Free/Premium: Free.
• Online/Downloadable: Online.
• Extra features: Boosters.

Have fun while you become a PRO at Spider Solitaire with Pogo!

Now that you’re armed with the best Spider Solitaire strategy, it’s time to put it into action. Head over to Pogo and weave your way through a challenge like no other with Rainy Day Spider Solitaire HD!

To level up your gameplay, join Club Pogo right now and indulge yourself in exclusive perks, from special power-ups and bonus cards to ad-free and full-screen gaming. With Pogo, conquer the Spider’s web and become a Solitaire legend!

FAQs

What is the trick to Spider Solitaire?

The trick to Spider Solitaire lies in using strategic foresight to uncover hidden cards, avoid unnecessary moves, and manage empty columns wisely to build your winning sequences.

How to get the highest score in Spider Solitaire?

To score big in Spider Solitaire, clear sequences skillfully by minimizing stockpile use and finishing with as few moves as possible.

Does color matter in Spider Solitaire?

In Spider Solitaire, color helps to visually organize the cards, but it’s only the suits that matter when completing sequences and winning the game.

Is Spider Solitaire harder than Solitaire?

Yes, Spider Solitaire is typically considered far harder than Solitaire, since it demands managing more cards, building full in-suit sequences on the tableau before being able to clear them, and making more complex strategic decisions.