What Relaxed Spider changes
Standard Spider does not allow a stock deal while any column is empty. Relaxed Spider allows the deal, but the new row still places a card on every column, including an empty one. A cleared column can be used before the deal; it will be filled by the deal.
Every other rule is identical to standard Spider: ten tableau columns, two decks, build downward in rank, same-suit sequences move as units, complete K–A same-suit runs are removed automatically to foundations, win all eight suits to finish.
Why the change matters strategically
In standard Spider, you must fill every empty column before dealing from stock. This can force a placement that undoes useful reorganization.
Relaxed Spider lets you draw without first choosing a card to park in the empty column. The stock card fills that space instead. Use the column for rearrangement before drawing, then assess the newly dealt card like any other column top.
Full rules
The 104 cards are dealt into ten tableau columns. Four columns begin with six cards and six columns begin with five; only the top card of each column starts face-up. The remaining 50 cards form the stock.
Tableau columns build downward in rank (any suit). Only same-suit sequences move as units. When a complete King-through-Ace run in the same suit is assembled anywhere in the tableau, it is automatically removed to a foundation. When you deal from stock, one card goes to each column, including empty ones. Win all eight foundations.
How it compares to the Spider family
Relaxed Spider has the full two-deck, ten-column scope of Spider. Its specific relief is the permission to draw a stock row before filling empty columns yourself.
Compared to Spiderette or Will O’ the Wisp (which reduce the deck to one), Relaxed Spider has more cards and columns. In Relaxed Spider, an empty column is still filled when stock is dealt, so plan to use it before drawing.
Read the Relaxed Spider section of the Spider family guide →
How Relaxed Spider compares
- Spider Solitaire — standard two-deck version; empty columns receive cards on every stock deal
- Spiderette — one deck, seven columns, Klondike-style opening deal
- Will O’ the Wisp — one deck, equal-depth seven columns
- Simple Simon — one deck, all cards face-up at start, no stock
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Relaxed Spider is part of The Web · Spider & Scorpion and is a variant of Spider.
More Spider & Scorpion games
- Spider — Build same-suit sequences to clear the board.
- Beetle — Two-deck Spider cousin with ten columns.
- Mrs. Mop — Two-deck open Spider, all face-up.
- Simple Simon — Open-information Spider with no stock.
- Spiderette — One-deck Spider with 7-column layout.
- Will O’ the Wisp — Spiderette-style with a 3×7 opening deal.
Also try
- Emperor (Forty Thieves & two-deck builders) — Two-deck Forty Thieves relative with waste play.
- Intrigue (Court games) — Eight Queen columns; eight Five-piles built down to the King and eight Six-piles built up to the Jack, regardless of suit.
- Milligan Cell (Miss Milligan & row dealers) — Four free cells add temporary storage to Miss Milligan’s eight columns.
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