The short version
Klondike is the solitaire most people picture when they hear the word — the one that shipped with Windows. Spider is the other heavyweight: a two-deck game that trades Klondike's quick rounds for a longer, more absorbing build. They share DNA (stacking cards in descending order) but they play very differently.
Rules at a glance
Klondike uses one deck across seven columns, with a stock you turn either one card (Draw 1) or three at a time (Draw 3). You build four foundations from Ace to King by suit, stacking columns down in alternating colours. Spider uses two decks across ten columns and no separate foundations — you build King-to-Ace runs in a single suit directly in the columns, and each completed run lifts off. When you're stuck, the stock deals a fresh card onto every column at once.
Length and feel
Klondike is a sprint: one deck, quick to set up, quick to resolve, easy to play a few rounds back to back. Spider is a marathon: twice the cards, more columns to track, and a slower march toward those eight suit-runs. If you've got five minutes, Klondike fits; if you want to sink into something, Spider rewards the time.
Difficulty and winnability
Neither game screens its deals, so both include hands that simply can't be won. Klondike Draw 1 is the gentler end (around 80% of deals are theoretically winnable); Draw 3 is tougher. Spider scales with its suit count: one suit is forgiving, two is a real challenge, and four is genuinely hard. For the honest, game-by-game picture, see are solitaire games winnable?
Which should you play?
Reach for Klondike when you want the familiar classic in bite-size rounds, and Spider when you want a longer, suit-focused puzzle to get lost in. Level up with the how to win Klondike and Spider strategy guides — or, if you'd rather a game where almost every deal is winnable, try Spider vs FreeCell next.
Frequently asked questions
Is Spider harder than Klondike?
It depends on the suit count. One-suit Spider is roughly as approachable as Klondike Draw 1. Two-suit Spider is a real step up, and four-suit Spider is much harder than standard Klondike. Spider games also take longer because you are managing two decks across ten columns.
Which is faster to play?
Klondike. A Klondike game is one deck and usually wraps up in a few minutes. Spider uses two decks and tends to run longer, with more back-and-forth before runs come together — it is more of a sit-down game.
Which is better for beginners?
Klondike is the natural starting point — almost everyone already knows it, and Draw 1 is forgiving. If you want to try Spider, begin with one suit, then move to two and four as the build-and-clear rhythm clicks.