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{{Short description|Solitaire game in Microsoft Windows}}
{{Infobox VG
{{Infobox software
| width =
| title = Spider Solitaire
| name = Spider Solitaire
| image = [[Image:Spider Solitaire Vista.png|250px]]
| logo = SpiderSolitaire Icon (Vista).png
| caption = Spider Solitaire in [[Windows Vista]]
| logo_size = 64px
| screenshot = Spider Solitaire 7.png
| picture format =
| screenshot_size = 300
| developer = [http://www.oberongames.com/ Oberon Games] (Windows Vista version)</br> [[Microsoft]] (older versions)
⚫
| caption = Spider Solitaire in Windows 7
⚫
| publisher = [[Microsoft]]
| released = {{Start date and age|1998|06|25}}
| distributor =
| designer =
| developer = [[Microsoft]]
| license = [[Proprietary software]]
| replaced_by = [[Microsoft Solitaire Collection]]
⚫
| operating system = [[Microsoft Windows]]
| series =
| engine =
| genre = [[Computer game]]
| version = 6.0.6001
| released = [[February 4]], [[2008]]
⚫
| genre = [[Spider (solitaire)|Spider]]
| modes = [[Single-player]]
| ratings = [[ESRB]]: E
| platforms = [[Microsoft Windows]]
| media =
| requirements =
| input = [[Mouse]]
}}
}}
[[File:Spider Solitaire 10.png|thumb|[[Microsoft Solitaire Collection]] on [[Windows 10]], in Spider mode]]
'''''Spider Solitaire''''' is a Spider Solitaire. [[card game]] that is included in recent versions of [[Microsoft Windows]]. It is a version of [[Spider (solitaire)|Spider]]. It was first included in [[Microsoft Plus!]] for [[Windows 98]] and has since been included in [[Windows Me]], [[Windows XP]] and subsequently [[Windows Vista]].
'''Spider Solitaire''', also known as '''Microsoft Spider Solitaire'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/295584 |title=Spider Solitaire May Not Display Properly When You Drag Cards |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=Support |date=September 28, 2004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070116142441/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/295584|archive-date=January 16, 2007}}</ref> ('''Spider''' in the About box in some versions), is a [[Patience (game)|solitaire (NA)/patience (EU)]] [[card game]] that is included in [[Microsoft Windows]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://windows.about.com/od/multimediaentertainment/ig/Games-Included-with-MS-Vista/Spider-Solitaire.htm |title=Spider Solitaire - Microsoft Windows Vista Games|page=9 |website=About.com |first=Mark |last=Beggesen |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090311002846/http://windows.about.com/od/multimediaentertainment/ig/Games-Included-with-MS-Vista/Spider-Solitaire.htm |archive-date=March 11, 2009}}</ref> It is a version of [[Spider (solitaire)|Spider]]. {{As of|2005}}, it was the most played game on Windows PCs, surpassing the shorter and less challenging [[Klondike (solitaire)|Klondike]]-based [[Solitaire (Windows)|Windows Solitaire]].<ref name="casual">{{cite book|last=Trefry|first=Gregory|title=Casual game design: designing play for the gamer in all of us|year=2010|publisher=Morgan Kaufmann/Elsevier|location=Amsterdam|isbn=9780123749536|pages=107–108|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gtv62NnHrOcC&pg=PA107}}</ref>


The game was first included as part of [[Windows 98]]'s [[Microsoft Plus!]] package<ref>{{cite web |first=Paul |last=Thurrott |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows/plus-windows-98-review |title=Plus! for Windows 98 Review |work=Supersite for Windows |publisher=[[Penton]] |date=June 25, 1998 |access-date=July 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726003521/http://winsupersite.com/windows/plus-windows-98-review |archive-date=July 26, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> on its release on June 25, 1998 and has been since featured on most subsequent versions of Windows. Spider Solitaire was not included in [[Windows 2000]],<ref>{{cite book|title=Upgrading to Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional: A Migration Guide for Windows 98 and Windows NT Users|first=Jerry Lee Jr.|last=Ford|publisher=iUniverse.com, Inc.|location=Lincoln, NE|year=2000|isbn=0595148042|access-date=January 8, 2013|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fYwGEZPXvFkC|page=90}}</ref> but was added to [[Windows Me]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306862 |title=List of Games That Are Included with Windows |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=Support |date=September 28, 2004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070116011158/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306862|archive-date=January 16, 2007}}</ref> and later on [[Windows XP]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307768 |title=How To Add or Remove Games in Windows XP |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=Support |date=July 15, 2004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050211062005/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307768|archive-date=February 11, 2005}}</ref> the game gained popularity subsequent to its inclusion in the latter.<ref name="casual" /> [[Windows Vista]] again saw a new version,<ref>{{cite web|last=Yu |first=James |url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/a-look-at-windows-vista-installed-games-6154558/ |title=A Look at Windows Vista Installed Games |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |work=[[GameSpot]] |date=July 24, 2006 }}</ref> which was mainly unchanged in [[Windows 7]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Paul |last=Thurrott |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-7/windows-7-review-part-10-bundled-applications |title=Windows 7 Review, Part 10: Bundled Applications |publisher=[[Penton]] |work=Supersite for Windows |date=October 6, 2010 |access-date=2013-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726032432/http://winsupersite.com/windows-7/windows-7-review-part-10-bundled-applications |archive-date=July 26, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Finally, [[Windows 8]] has another updated version available in the [[Windows Store]] as part of [[Microsoft Solitaire Collection]] but not bundled with the operating system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/microsoft-solitaire-collection/1a36fd17-5161-4651-ae2d-13384e427ea8 |title=Microsoft Solitaire Collection |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=App Store |access-date=2013-07-14}}</ref> [[Windows 10]] has the Microsoft Solitaire Collection app updated and bundled with the OS.
⚫
==Features==
This version allows the user to choose one of three difficulty settings. Easy mode is played with eight sets (Ace through King) of Spades; Medium mode uses four sets each of Hearts and Spades; and Hard mode is played with two standard decks.


==Gameplay==
''Spider Solitaire'' allows moves to be retracted, except when dealing a new row or completing a run (ace-to-king sequence, which is then removed.) Any number of moves can be retracted, back to the last non-retractable move. Therefore, a possible strategy is to expose as many face-down cards as possible, retracting afterward, before choosing a move.
{{Main|Spider (solitaire)}}


The game is played with two decks of cards for a total of 104 cards. Fifty-four of the cards are laid out horizontally in ten columns with only the top card showing. The remaining fifty cards are laid out in the lower right hand corner in five piles of ten with no cards showing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/spider-solitaire-how-to-play |title=Spider Solitaire: how to play |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=[[Windows]] |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091123092804/http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/spider-solitaire-how-to-play|archive-date=November 23, 2009}}</ref>
The version of ''Spider Solitaire'' included in [[Windows Vista]] allows any move, including row deals to be retracted.


In the horizontal columns a card may be moved to any other card in the column as long as it is in descending numerical sequence. For example, a six of hearts may be moved to a seven of any suit. However, a sequence of cards can only be moved if they are all of the same suit in numerical descending order. For example, a six and seven of hearts may be moved to an eight of any suit, but a six of hearts and seven of clubs cannot be moved together. Moving the top card in a column allows the topmost hidden card to be turned over. This card then enters into the play. Other cards can be placed on it, and it can be moved to other cards in a sequence or to an empty column.
==Scoring==
A player's score for a game is calculated by subtracting the number of moves from 500, then adding 100 times the number of completed runs removed. Thus, a game requiring 100 moves to complete would result in a score of (500 - 100) + (8 * 100) = 1200. A perfect game will result in a score of 1254. This is calculated by:


The object of the game is to uncover all the hidden cards and by moving cards from one column to another to place cards in sequential order from King to Ace using the fewest moves. Each final sequence must be all of the same suit. Once a complete sequence is achieved the cards are removed from the table and 100 points are added to the score. Once a player has made all the moves possible with the current card layout, the player draws a new row of cards from one of the piles of ten in the lower right-hand corner by clicking on the cards. Each of the ten cards in this draw lands face up on each of the ten horizontal columns and the player then proceeds to place these in such a way to create a sequence of cards all in one suit.
*Taking the total number of cards (104) and subtracting the eight Kings. The Kings do not need to be placed anywhere specific.
*The remaining 96 required moves can now have 50 subtracted from them, since there are a total of 50 cards brought up from the five stacks of 10. This is because all the cards brought up from these stacks could be placed in the right location. This is extremely unlikely.
*The remaining 46 moves can be subtracted from the sum of 500 (the starting score), and 800 (the total score obtained from all eight runs). 500 + 800 - 46 = 1254.


⚫
==Features==
<!--Comment: The 46 is not correct. When the game is started 44 cards are hidden. So at least 44 moves are needed to open all. But opening the last in each column leaves one card that must be moved or moved upon. Thus the minimum must be (at least) 54, giving a maximum score of (at most) 1246-->
There are three levels of difficulty in Spider Solitaire: Beginner (one [[Suit (playing cards)|suit]]), Intermediate (two suits), and Advanced (four suits).<ref name="help">Spider Solitaire Help</ref>


Spider Solitaire has an "[[Undo command|undo]]" feature that allows moves to be retracted. Any number of moves can be retracted, back to the last non-retractable move, but each "undo" subtracts one from the score.
Examples of wasted moves:


To aid the player, the key H ([[Windows Vista]] or later only) or M will highlight possible moves, whereas in the Windows XP version this is done by clicking on the score panel. The player can also undo previous moves and try again. Windows keeps track of scores for the player's reference; these may be viewed by going to Game and then Statistics. In Windows 7, these scores appear in the Games Explorer by clicking the game and selecting the Statistics tab in the Preview Pane. There are two measures of performance in Spider Solitaire: number of games won and highest score. In a certain sense these two measures are negatively correlated: maximizing games won may yield lower scores per game and vice versa.
*Moving a card (or stack) to an empty pile, for example, by moving a King.
*Moving a card that is already in sequence.
*Moving a card (or stack) onto a card of non-matching suit.
*Creating an empty pile before the next deal, forcing a wasted move later on.


The final score in a Spider Solitaire game is calculated as follows. The initial score is 500 and every move subtracts one from the score. Using the “undo” feature also subtracts one point from the score. Every time the player is able to place an entire sequence of cards of the same suit in order (kings, queens, jacks, 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 ace), 100 points are added to the score. There is a total of eight such sequences in the game yielding a maximum achievable number of 800. Therefore, in a winning game the total score is 800 plus 500 minus the number of moves and "undo"s.<ref name="help" />
Games requiring fewer than 96 moves to complete have been achieved. This can occur during the five deals when a card lands by luck in proper sequence (e.g. a 2<span style="color:red; background-color:white;">♥</span> lands on a 3<span style="color:red; background-color:white;">♥</span>), saving the player a move.


==In popular culture==
It should be noted that doing one's best to win games is much more challenging than playing for record high scores. The game's complexity comes from branching paths: different possible moves. A good strategy is to explore all branches as deeply as possible without making a non-retractable move. In doing so, the number of branches in some situations can get out of hand rapidly. However, wasted moves constitute the vast majority of possible moves, and only ''non''-wasted moves need to be considered by a player going for a perfect game. This narrows the options down immensely, as the number of possible non-wasted moves is quite often one or zero. Thus playing for a perfect (or near-perfect) game requires much less decision-making than playing for a win. However, keep in mind that retracting a move also counts as a move for scoring purposes, therefore even if you play a perfect game, you won't have a perfect score unless you play without retracting any moves.
Spider Solitaire was referenced on the February 27, 2021 episode of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''. In the cold opening sketch, "So You Think You Can Get the Vaccine", 85-year-old contestant, Seymour Forman, (played by [[Mikey Day]]) was asked if he was computer literate enough to make an appointment online for a [[COVID-19 vaccine]]. After replying "on what?," Mr. Forman was then asked if he had a computer at home. He replied, "for Spider Solitaire."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/28/arts/television/saturday-night-live-nick-jonas.html|title = On 'S.N.L.,' Dr. Fauci Hosts 'So You Think You Can Get the Vaccine'|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 28 February 2021|last1 = Itzkoff|first1 = Dave}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/28/media/snl-saturday-night-live-dr-fauci/index.html|title = 'SNL' has Dr. Fauci hand out coronavirus vaccines on a game show|website = [[CNN]]| date=28 February 2021 }}</ref><ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/B5rXK8HCL1Y Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20210228065418/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5rXK8HCL1Y Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5rXK8HCL1Y| title = Vaccine Game Show Cold Open - SNL | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of games included with Windows]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}


It's also worth noting that the version included in Windows Vista has a number of bugs. It 'informs' the user if a state in the game is reached in which no more moves are possible - sometimes incorrectly so. Also, if you chose to re-open Spider Solitaire after having 'ended' a lost game, it re-opens the game that you ended, leaving you no choice but to re-lose it, and skew your statistics (with additional lost games).
{{Windows Components}}
{{Windows Components}}

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[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:1998 video games]]
[[Category:Microsoft games]]
[[Category:Microsoft games]]
[[Category:Card game video games]]
[[Category:Patience video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
⚫
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Windows-only games]]
[[he:ספיידר סוליטר (חלונות)]]

Latest revision as of 11:49, 22 December 2024

Spider Solitaire
Developer(s)Microsoft
Initial releaseJune 25, 1998; 26 years ago (1998-06-25)
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows
SuccessorMicrosoft Solitaire Collection
TypeComputer game
Websitewindowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/0785850c-efb8-4ccc-8a45-688913eec1231033.mspx Edit this on Wikidata
Microsoft Solitaire Collection on Windows 10, in Spider mode

Spider Solitaire, also known as Microsoft Spider Solitaire[1] (Spider in the About box in some versions), is a solitaire (NA)/patience (EU) card game that is included in Microsoft Windows.[2] It is a version of Spider. As of 2005, it was the most played game on Windows PCs, surpassing the shorter and less challenging Klondike-based Windows Solitaire.[3]

The game was first included as part of Windows 98's Microsoft Plus! package[4] on its release on June 25, 1998 and has been since featured on most subsequent versions of Windows. Spider Solitaire was not included in Windows 2000,[5] but was added to Windows Me[6] and later on Windows XP;[7] the game gained popularity subsequent to its inclusion in the latter.[3] Windows Vista again saw a new version,[8] which was mainly unchanged in Windows 7.[9] Finally, Windows 8 has another updated version available in the Windows Store as part of Microsoft Solitaire Collection but not bundled with the operating system.[10] Windows 10 has the Microsoft Solitaire Collection app updated and bundled with the OS.

Gameplay

[edit]
Main article: Spider (solitaire)

The game is played with two decks of cards for a total of 104 cards. Fifty-four of the cards are laid out horizontally in ten columns with only the top card showing. The remaining fifty cards are laid out in the lower right hand corner in five piles of ten with no cards showing.[11]

In the horizontal columns a card may be moved to any other card in the column as long as it is in descending numerical sequence. For example, a six of hearts may be moved to a seven of any suit. However, a sequence of cards can only be moved if they are all of the same suit in numerical descending order. For example, a six and seven of hearts may be moved to an eight of any suit, but a six of hearts and seven of clubs cannot be moved together. Moving the top card in a column allows the topmost hidden card to be turned over. This card then enters into the play. Other cards can be placed on it, and it can be moved to other cards in a sequence or to an empty column.

The object of the game is to uncover all the hidden cards and by moving cards from one column to another to place cards in sequential order from King to Ace using the fewest moves. Each final sequence must be all of the same suit. Once a complete sequence is achieved the cards are removed from the table and 100 points are added to the score. Once a player has made all the moves possible with the current card layout, the player draws a new row of cards from one of the piles of ten in the lower right-hand corner by clicking on the cards. Each of the ten cards in this draw lands face up on each of the ten horizontal columns and the player then proceeds to place these in such a way to create a sequence of cards all in one suit.

Features

[edit]

There are three levels of difficulty in Spider Solitaire: Beginner (one suit), Intermediate (two suits), and Advanced (four suits).[12]

Spider Solitaire has an "undo" feature that allows moves to be retracted. Any number of moves can be retracted, back to the last non-retractable move, but each "undo" subtracts one from the score.

To aid the player, the key H (Windows Vista or later only) or M will highlight possible moves, whereas in the Windows XP version this is done by clicking on the score panel. The player can also undo previous moves and try again. Windows keeps track of scores for the player's reference; these may be viewed by going to Game and then Statistics. In Windows 7, these scores appear in the Games Explorer by clicking the game and selecting the Statistics tab in the Preview Pane. There are two measures of performance in Spider Solitaire: number of games won and highest score. In a certain sense these two measures are negatively correlated: maximizing games won may yield lower scores per game and vice versa.

The final score in a Spider Solitaire game is calculated as follows. The initial score is 500 and every move subtracts one from the score. Using the “undo” feature also subtracts one point from the score. Every time the player is able to place an entire sequence of cards of the same suit in order (kings, queens, jacks, 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 ace), 100 points are added to the score. There is a total of eight such sequences in the game yielding a maximum achievable number of 800. Therefore, in a winning game the total score is 800 plus 500 minus the number of moves and "undo"s.[12]

[edit]

Spider Solitaire was referenced on the February 27, 2021 episode of Saturday Night Live. In the cold opening sketch, "So You Think You Can Get the Vaccine", 85-year-old contestant, Seymour Forman, (played by Mikey Day) was asked if he was computer literate enough to make an appointment online for a COVID-19 vaccine. After replying "on what?," Mr. Forman was then asked if he had a computer at home. He replied, "for Spider Solitaire."[13][14][15]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Spider Solitaire May Not Display Properly When You Drag Cards". Support. Microsoft. September 28, 2004. Archived from the original on January 16, 2007.
  2. ^ Beggesen, Mark. "Spider Solitaire - Microsoft Windows Vista Games". About.com. p. 9. Archived from the original on March 11, 2009.
  3. ^ a b Trefry, Gregory (2010). Casual game design: designing play for the gamer in all of us. Amsterdam: Morgan Kaufmann/Elsevier. pp. 107–108. ISBN 9780123749536.
  4. ^ Thurrott, Paul (June 25, 1998). "Plus! for Windows 98 Review". Supersite for Windows. Penton. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  5. ^ Ford, Jerry Lee Jr. (2000). Upgrading to Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional: A Migration Guide for Windows 98 and Windows NT Users. Lincoln, NE: iUniverse.com, Inc. p. 90. ISBN 0595148042. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  6. ^ "List of Games That Are Included with Windows". Support. Microsoft. September 28, 2004. Archived from the original on January 16, 2007.
  7. ^ "How To Add or Remove Games in Windows XP". Support. Microsoft. July 15, 2004. Archived from the original on February 11, 2005.
  8. ^ Yu, James (July 24, 2006). "A Look at Windows Vista Installed Games". GameSpot. CBS Interactive.
  9. ^ Thurrott, Paul (October 6, 2010). "Windows 7 Review, Part 10: Bundled Applications". Supersite for Windows. Penton. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
  10. ^ "Microsoft Solitaire Collection". App Store. Microsoft. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
  11. ^ "Spider Solitaire: how to play". Windows. Microsoft. Archived from the original on November 23, 2009.
  12. ^ a b Spider Solitaire Help
  13. ^ Itzkoff, Dave (28 February 2021). "On 'S.N.L.,' Dr. Fauci Hosts 'So You Think You Can Get the Vaccine'". The New York Times.
  14. ^ "'SNL' has Dr. Fauci hand out coronavirus vaccines on a game show". CNN. 28 February 2021.
  15. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Vaccine Game Show Cold Open - SNL". YouTube.
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