Summary
- Release Year: 1998
- Genres: Card & Board Game
- Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Publishers: Microsoft
Microsoft Spider Solitaire: A Timeless Classic
Microsoft Spider Solitaire is a solitaire card game that has been included in Microsoft Windows since Windows 98. It is a version of the classic Spider solitaire game, and it quickly became one of the most popular games on Windows PCs. Spider Solitaire is a challenging and addictive game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Gameplay
The goal of Spider Solitaire is to remove all of the cards from the tableau by building sequences of cards in suit from king to ace. The game starts with 54 cards dealt into 10 tableau piles. The top card of each tableau pile is face up, while the rest of the cards are face down.
Players can move cards between the tableau piles by clicking and dragging them. Cards can only be moved to a pile if they are one rank lower and in the same suit as the top card of the pile. For example, a 7 of hearts can be moved to a pile with a 8 of hearts on top.
If a player can build a complete sequence of cards in suit from king to ace, the sequence will be removed from the tableau. The player can then fill the empty space with any card from the tableau or the stock pile.
The stock pile is a pile of cards that is located at the top left of the screen. Players can click on the stock pile to draw a new card. The stock pile can be drawn three times during the game.
Winning the Game
The game is won when all of the cards have been removed from the tableau. If the player cannot make any more moves, the game is lost.
Variations
There are several variations of Spider Solitaire, including:
- One-suit Spider Solitaire: This variation is played with only one suit of cards.
- Two-suit Spider Solitaire: This variation is played with two suits of cards.
- Four-suit Spider Solitaire: This variation is played with four suits of cards.
- Eight-suit Spider Solitaire: This variation is played with eight suits of cards.
History
Spider Solitaire was first created in the early 1990s by a Microsoft employee named Wes Cherry. Cherry was inspired by the classic Spider solitaire game, but he wanted to create a version that was more challenging and engaging.
Spider Solitaire was first included in Windows 98 as part of the Microsoft Plus! package. It was later included in Windows ME, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. In Windows 8, Spider Solitaire was moved to the Windows Store as part of the Microsoft Solitaire Collection.
Popularity
Spider Solitaire is one of the most popular games on Windows PCs. As of 2005, it was the most played game on Windows PCs, surpassing the shorter and less challenging Klondike-based Windows Solitaire.
Spider Solitaire is popular for a number of reasons. It is a challenging and addictive game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is also a relatively simple game to learn, but it can be difficult to master.
Tips for Winning
Here are a few tips for winning Spider Solitaire:
- Start with the aces. Aces are the most important cards in the game, so try to uncover them as early as possible.
- Build sequences in suit. Once you have an ace, try to build a sequence of cards in suit from king to ace. This will help you remove cards from the tableau more quickly.
- Don’t be afraid to use the stock pile. The stock pile can be a valuable resource, so don’t be afraid to use it. However, try to only draw cards from the stock pile when you need them.
- Be patient. Spider Solitaire can be a challenging game, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t win right away. Just keep practicing and you’ll eventually get the hang of it.
Conclusion
Microsoft Spider Solitaire is a timeless classic that has been enjoyed by millions of people around the world. It is a challenging and addictive game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. If you’re looking for a fun and challenging solitaire game, Spider Solitaire is definitely worth checking out.
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
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