Solitare Has Many Names
Solitare is known by many names and variations such as Patience, Chinaman, Fascination, Klondike, Frustration and Canfield. Part of the popularity of Solitare comes from the fact that you don’t need anyone else to play, like the name says, it is a game for one; solitare.
A more challenging version of Solitare is its spin off; Spider Solitare. Klondike Solitare (better known as Solitare) and Spider Solitare are part of the free world of solitare games that comes when you install Microsoft Windows.
The Goal in Solitare Games
In Solitare, the object of the game is to move all the cards to their four suites. There are seven piles, the first pile has one, and the second has two and so on with each pile incrementing by one. The top card on each pile is open or ‘face-up” so you can see the suite and the number, the rest are hidden beneath the open card. The remainder of the deck, also known as the “talon” is closed, piled off to the side waiting for the game to be played.
The four suite or the foundation piles begins with the Aces and ends with the kings of the same suite. The suite colors are alternated during the game. Three cards are drawn from the talon, but only the card on top can be played if possible. Solitare is a good game for passing time for young and old, seasoned or novice.
Spider Solitare Games
Spider Solitare is a more challenging variation of the solitare game. The Spider Solitare game can range in its level of difficulty depending on the number of suites being played, easy being one suite and difficult or expert using all four suites. Unlike Solitare, Spider Solitare is played using two decks or 104 cards. The object of the game is to build the cards in descending order in the same suite from King to Ace within the piles.
When all 104 cards have been played to the foundation as eight separate groups of king to ace, then the Spider Solitare game is won. Spider Solitare is one game that you would be wise to play free online or on your computer rather than with real cards; less decks, less shuffling and a lot more fun.
The Rules of Spider Solitare
The rules of Spider Solitare are a little more complicated than Solitare, unlike Solitare, the building of each foundation is carried out on the game space. Once it is built it moves off the game space. Only the top card of each column may be moved provided that it creates a descending sequence (regardless of the suite).
You may also move a group or a packed descending sequence of cards to another column, but only if they are of the same suite. Whenever possible it is best to pack cards of the same suite, otherwise the game blocks quickly and you will find yourself without any moves.
When a column is empty then it can be filled with any card or a packed descending suite of cards. When no more moves can be made on the Spider Solitare game space, then click on the stock cards to deal another card to each of the columns. Before you can deal from the stock make sure that there are no empty spaces.
Both Solitare and Spider Solitare can be played free online. The free world of solitare games affords the player better graphics and sometimes a little bit more eye candy than the standard MS version. Solitare is a fun and exasperating game that makes the winning well worth it.
