Solitaire vs FreeCell vs Spider: which should you play?
They all look like a table full of cards, but these three patience games feel very different. One rewards luck and patience, one is almost pure logic, and one is a long, satisfying sort. Here’s how they compare, so you can pick the right one for your mood.
At a glance
- Klondike Solitaire: the classic. Some cards start hidden, so luck plays a part. Medium difficulty.
- FreeCell: every card is face up from the start. Almost every deal can be won, so it’s all about planning.
- Spider: two decks and long runs to build. Easy with one suit, very hard with four.
Klondike Solitaire: the classic
Klondike is the game most people mean by “Solitaire”. You deal seven columns with only the top card of each face up, and build down in alternating colours while moving cards up to four foundations, Ace to King, by suit. When you run out of moves, you turn cards from the stock.
Because many cards start hidden, you’re always making decisions without the full picture, and some deals can’t be won however well you play. That mix of luck and judgement is what makes it so moreish. Draw 1 wins far more often; Draw 3 is the traditional, harder game.
Pick Klondike if: you want the familiar classic, with a little luck and a lot of “one more game”. Read the Solitaire guide for the habits that win more games.
FreeCell: the thinker’s solitaire
In FreeCell, all 52 cards are dealt face up into eight columns. You have four free cells, each holding one card, to help you dig out the cards you need. There’s no stock and no hidden cards, so there’s no luck once the cards are dealt.
That’s what makes FreeCell special: almost every deal can be won. If you lose, it’s because of a decision you made, and you can usually see where it went wrong. Experienced players win nearly every game.
Pick FreeCell if: you like puzzles and want every loss to be a lesson, not bad luck. Our FreeCell guide covers how to use the free cells well.
Spider: the long sort
Spider uses two decks, 104 cards, dealt into ten columns. You can stack any card on one rank higher, whatever the suit, but you can only move a run together if it’s all one suit. Complete a run from King down to Ace in one suit and it leaves the table. Clear all eight runs to win.
The number of suits changes everything. One suit is relaxing and usually winnable. Two suits needs real planning. Four suits is one of the hardest solitaire games there is.
Pick Spider if: you want a longer game, or a challenge you can turn up as you improve. See the Spider guide.
Which is easiest?
For winning often, Spider with one suit or FreeCell, once you know the basics. For learning the rules, Klondike, because it’s the one most people already half-know. Four-suit Spider and Draw 3 Klondike are the hardest of the bunch.
Three more to try
- TriPeaks: clear three peaks of cards by playing one higher or lower than the last. Fast and breezy.
- Pyramid: remove pairs of cards that add up to 13. A quick game of spotting sums.
- Golf: clear seven columns by going one up or one down. Lowest score wins, like real golf.
Play them now
Solitaire
Classic Klondike. Build each suit from Ace to King, with draw 1 or draw 3 and unlimited undo.
FreeCell
Every card is dealt face up. Use the four free cells to sort all 52 cards. Classic numbered deals.
Spider Solitaire
Two decks, ten columns. Build runs from King to Ace in one suit to clear them. Play with 1, 2 or 4 suits.
TriPeaks
Clear three peaks of cards by playing ones that are one higher or lower than the waste card. Build long chains.
Pyramid
Clear the pyramid by removing pairs of cards that add up to 13. Kings go on their own.
Golf
Play cards one higher or lower than the waste card to clear seven columns. Like golf, lower scores are better.
Questions
What is the difference between Solitaire and FreeCell?
In Klondike Solitaire many cards start face down and you draw from a stock, so luck matters. In FreeCell every card is face up from the start and you have four free cells to move cards through, so it’s almost all skill.
Is FreeCell easier than Solitaire?
FreeCell is won far more often, because almost every deal can be solved. But each game asks for more planning. Klondike is easier to learn but more of its deals are unwinnable.
Is Spider Solitaire harder than Klondike?
It depends on the number of suits. One-suit Spider is easier than Klondike; four-suit Spider is much harder.
Can every game of Solitaire be won?
No. Some Klondike deals can’t be won however well you play. Almost every FreeCell deal can be won.
Which solitaire game is best for beginners?
Klondike with Draw 1 is the best place to start. Once you’re comfortable, try one-suit Spider and FreeCell.