Spiderette

A smaller, faster version of Spider that uses a single deck and a Klondike-style staircase deal. Spiderette plays like Spider but on a more compact table, making games quicker while retaining the same strategic depth.

The Deal#

28 cards are dealt into seven tableau piles in a staircase pattern: one card in the first pile, two in the second, and so on up to seven in the last pile. Only the top card of each pile is face-up. The remaining 24 cards form the stock.

The Layout#

• Tableau: Seven piles of cards where you build descending sequences.
• Stock: The remaining 24 cards, dealt to the tableaus when you need more options.
• Foundation: Four piles where completed King-to-Ace same-suit sequences are discarded.

Rules#

1. Building Sequences: Stack cards in descending order regardless of suit. For example, any 6 can be placed on any 7. However, only same-suit sequences can be moved as a group.
2. Moving Cards: The top card of any pile is always available. Face-up cards in sequence by the same suit can be moved together. You can also move partial sequences.
3. Revealing Cards: When all face-up cards are removed from a pile, the top face-down card is turned face-up.
4. Empty Columns: Any available card or build may be moved to an empty column.
5. Dealing from Stock: You may deal at any time, provided no tableau piles are empty. Seven cards are dealt face-up from the stock, one to each tableau. The final deal may have fewer than seven cards.
6. Completing Sequences: When you build a complete sequence from King to Ace in the same suit, it is automatically removed from play.

Difficulty Levels#

• Standard: Only same-suit sequences can be moved as a group. The classic Spiderette challenge.
• Relaxed: Any descending sequence can be moved as a group, regardless of suit. A more forgiving variant that lets you focus on learning the mechanics.

Strategy Tips#

• Build in suit whenever possible. Mixed-suit builds block group movement and limit your options.
• Uncover face-down cards as a priority. The staircase deal hides many cards, and revealing them opens new possibilities.
• Empty piles are extremely valuable. Use them as temporary storage for reorganizing cards.
• Build on higher-ranked cards before lower ones to keep your options open.
• Save stock deals for when you truly have no useful moves. Each deal adds seven cards, making the table more crowded.