Spider Solitaire is a single-player Solitaire card game with several variations, many of which have grown immensely popular since its inclusion in the operating system package for Microsoft Windows. The game gets its name owing to its relation to spiders possessing eight legs and the eight foundation piles that need filling out for the game to conclude.
If we have to categorize the difficulty levels of playing Spider Solitaire, the following analysis makes sense: Spider Solitaire 1 suit – Beginner; 2 suits – Moderate; and 4 suits – Expert. So, the 1-Suit Spider Solitaire version is ideal for newbies and amateur players. It also offers great fun and relaxation.
We play the 1-suit version with two standard decks of fifty-two cards – with all the cards from a single suit, say Spades or Hearts. As such, this makes winning the game relatively easier. They can go for the 2-suit version to seek a more significant challenge. However, this article will look at Spider Solitaire 1 suit in detail.
Spider Solitaire 1-Suit: The Setup
All solitaire games (be it one suit, two suits, or four suits) require two shuffled decks with no jokers at the beginning. The cards are laid out horizontally in ten piles or columns, with six cards each in the initial four piles and five cards each in the last six piles. The final card in every pile faces up. Placed one at a time in each pile, the placement happens in the style of the first card being dealt to the first pile, the second card to the second, etc. The eleventh card goes again to the first pile until all the cards are dealt.
After drawing the face-up cards in the 1 suit spider solitaire, the remaining cards constitute the stock pile and are used to draw more cards into the game. These are the face-down cards in the stock pile. The line of ten piles is called Tableau. The eight piles, usually above the Tableau, are known as the Foundations, where you need to move your piles of cards once they are in sequence.
How do you Play Spider Solitaire 1-Suit?
Now that you know the spider one suit setup let’s understand how to play the game.
Number of Players
1 player plays this game, as it’s a spider one-suit game.
Number of Cards
The game is played with two standard 52-card decks but only using cards of one suit (usually Spades).
Objective Of The Game
The objective in 1-suit Spider Solitaire is to arrange all cards in descending order from King to Ace in the tableau. Once a complete sequence is formed, it’s removed from the board, and the goal is to clear all cards.
Gameplay
To start a new game, you use only one suit, which is spades in most cases. You do not need to account for the colors when moving cards around. The most crucial aspect to remember while playing Spider Solitaire 1 suit is that you can only put a card atop another one point higher in value. For instance, you can only put the 2 of Spades over the 3 of Spades and move the top cards.
The goal in Spider Solitaire (any suit) is to move all cards from the tableaus to the foundations from king to ace. Once you complete a sequence, it will automatically move to the foundation pile, and you can start working on the following sequence and progress until you clear the entire tableau.
The game also enables the movement of multiple cards at once when they are in ascending order with a difference of one point. For instance, if the 6, 5, and 4 of Spades are over each other, then you can move all three simultaneously to an open 8. The previously unexposed card turns itself up whenever you move a face-down card. Also, it is essential to know that you can out any random card in any empty columns and go back one step by pressing the undo button.
Winning The Game
To win 1-suit Spider Solitaire, you must create eight complete sequences of cards in descending order from King to Ace, all in the same suit. Once a full sequence is made, it is removed from the board. You win when all 104 cards are cleared.
Rules
Spider Solitaire 1 suit follows the same rules as the other versions of Spider Solitaire (such as two suits and four suits), except that all cards belong to a single suit. In essence, we can sum up the game’s rules as follows:
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To simulate the game using two standard decks (having multiple suits), assume that all cards are in the same suit.
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This means you can move any cluster of descending cards onto another sequentially appropriate card. For example, you can move a five of diamonds, a four of spades, and a three of hearts onto any open six.
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You can remove any group of cards in perfect descending order (from King to Ace) from play.
How to Win Spider Solitaire 1-Suit?
While Spider One suit is one of the most straightforward versions of the game, you can still not win if you execute moves randomly with no strategy in mind. For those who wish to make their games more winnable, the following tips can help.
Plan Your Moves Strategically
Playing the most obvious of moves isn’t an ideal strategy. Before you make a move, look at the state of the game and see what else could be available. Whenever possible, pick a combination of moves that, when you execute, results in something helpful, such as turning over an unexposed card or emptying a column.
Dealing with Unmovable Cards
The Ace possesses the distinction of being the only card over which you can’t place another rank. This makes them largely annoying. They can frequently cause trouble since if one is at a column’s bottom end, you cannot move any cards to it.
Managing Column Blockages
Be aware of the Kings. This is the only rank that you cannot move onto another rank. This leads to blockage of access to several other cards. When possible, prioritize moving the King to an empty column.
Don’t Give Up Too Soon
Do not give up on your game too quickly. If a game gets to a point where the winning chances seem bleak, persevering with a bit of patience and innovation can sometimes reverse the result.
Also Read: All About Spider Solitaire 4-Suit
FAQs
Is it possible to win a Spider-One Suit?
Absolutely!
The win percentage ranges from 55% to 60%. So, on average, around two out of three games are within the winnable bracket.
What is a good score in Spider One suit?
There isn’t any universal score-keeping methodology in Spider Solitaire. Instead, the game can have its own distinct scoring system each time you play. For instance, if you play the Windows version, you begin with five hundred points. Every move leads to a point deduction, and you receive a hundred points every time you complete a foundation. A decent score seems to be in the range of 1250, meaning it takes around fifty moves to win the game.
Can the game of 1 suit spider solitaire be played with two players?
No, 1-suit Spider Solitaire is designed for a single player. It’s a solo game where the objective is to organize all cards into complete descending sequences. However, for example, two players can take turns or compete to finish different games faster, but it remains a single-player format.
Is there a trick to spider solitaire?
The key to winning Spider Solitaire is thinking ahead. Try to uncover hidden cards early by freeing up columns. Always prioritize moves that reveal more cards or clear a column. Don’t rush to make obvious moves and instead, consider their long-term effect on the game.
How do I improve my spider solitaire score?
To improve your score in 1 suit spider solitaire games, focus on clearing columns and exposing hidden cards. Avoid moving King unless there’s an empty column. Use undo moves (if available) wisely to rethink strategies. The fewer moves you make and the faster you clear all cards, the higher your score will be
Is standard spider solitaire and 1-suit spider solitaire the same?
Spider one suit is the same as standard Spider Solitaire, except it is played using only one suit instead of (two or) four, typically Spades.
