Why can I not move my run of cards?

Almost certainly because the run is not all one suit. Stacking ignores suit, but moving several cards at once requires them to be the same suit in descending order. Only the top card of a mixed run can move.

Which suit count should I start with?

One suit. It teaches the shape of the game — turning cards over, guarding empty columns, building runs — without the suit constraint fighting you. Two suits is the natural next step; four is a genuinely hard game.

Why will the stock not deal?

Every column must hold at least one card before you can deal. If a column is empty, move something into it first.

Is every Spider deal winnable?

No. Typical win rates are 80–90% for one suit, 55–65% for two and just 5–15% for four. Running out of moves with cards still on the table is a normal loss, not a bug.

Do the two decks matter?

Yes — every card appears twice, so there are two of each King and two of each Ace. That is what makes eight runs possible, and it means a card you need is never truly gone.

How long does a game take?

Around 20 minutes, and often longer at four suits — Spider is the slowest of the mainstream solitaires.

How to Play Spider Solitaire — Rules Explained

How to Play Spider SolitaireLearn Spider Solitaire properly: the two-deck layout, why stacking and moving follow different rules, how the five deals work, and how runs clear.