The history of Microsoft Spider Solitaire dates back to 1989 when it was invented by Toby Ord, a British software developer. The game was originally called “Spider,” and it became very popular among the Microsoft Windows user community. However, it wasn’t until Microsoft included it in Windows 98 in 1998 that the game became widely known around the world.
The rules of the game are relatively simple. You have ten tableau piles, and each pile starts with one card facing up and no cards facing down. The remaining cards are placed in the stockpile, and you can reveal them one at a time. Your goal is to move all the cards to the foundation piles in order (Ace to King) by suit. You can move cards between tableau piles, but you must stack them in descending order and alternating colors. For example, a red seven could be placed on top of a black eight.
One of the critical strategies in Microsoft Spider Solitaire is to expose as many cards as possible. The more cards you have access to, the more likely you are to complete a sequence that will allow you to move cards to the foundation piles. You’ll want to move cards from the tableau piles that free up more cards or sequences.
Another strategy is to focus on creating spaces. You can move any column of cards into an empty space, which can be helpful in creating new sequences. However, creating spaces doesn’t necessarily mean just moving any card out of a tableau pile. You should consider which card will create the most significant impact.
The game can be challenging as you progress, but the more you play, the better you will get. It’s essential to think several moves ahead and not to rush any decisions. You can only undo your last move, so taking your time to make decisions is critical.
If you’re new to the game or need a refresher, here’s how to play Microsoft Spider Solitaire step by step:
1. The game starts with 54 cards, and they are dealt out in ten tableau piles.
2. The tableau piles all have one card face-up to start with and no cards face down.
3. The remaining 50 cards make up the stock. You can reveal cards in the stockpile one at a time, and any cards not used to create sequences go to waste.
4. You can move any sequence of cards that are in descending order and alternating colors. For example, you could move a red seven onto a black eight.
5. Whenever you empty a tableau pile, you can move any king you have to fill that space.
6. Your objective is to create sequences on the foundation piles. You need to move all cards to the foundation piles in order, Ace to King.
7. There are two standard variations of Microsoft Spider Solitaire: one suit and four suits. One suit is more straightforward, while four suits is more challenging.
In conclusion, Microsoft Spider Solitaire is an entertaining and addictive game that has stood the test of time. Its challenging gameplay and variety of strategies make it a great game for players of all levels. If you haven’t played it yet, give it a try, and you’ll probably find yourself hooked in no time.