There are several poker variations of Spider. The one described the best, and, indeed, among the best of all patience’s, because it frequently calls for deep analysis. According to Redbook Magazine it was the favorite patience of the late President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Forty cards are dealt to the table in four overlapping rows of ten cards each: the first, second and third rows face downwards, the fourth row face upwards, as in the illustration below.

Foundation cards are not played to the centre. The game is to build within the layout descending suit sequences on the eight Kings to the Aces. A completed sequences is discarded, so that the poker game is won when the table is declared of all cards.

The cards at the bottom of the columns may be packed in descending sequences irrespective of suit and colour, and when a card is moved from one column to another the face-downwards cards immediately above it is turned face upwards and becomes available for play.

In the diagram any of the three sixes may be packed on the ♠7 and the ♦ 9 may be packed on their of the tens. Two cards will thus be exposed.

When all the cards have been moved from a column, the space may be filled by any exposed card or sequence.

After all possible moves have been made, and spaces filled, ten cards are dealt from the stock, face upwards, one to the bottom of each column, overlapping the cards in position.

Play is continued in this way until the stock is exhausted. The last deal from the stock will, of course, be of only four cards.

Games for Five or More Players