Can You Move Only Part of a Same-Suit Spider Run?
Yes. You may move any contiguous lower tail that descends by one rank in one suit, provided its leading card fits a card one rank higher or an empty column.
Yes. You may move any contiguous lower tail that descends by one rank in one suit, provided its leading card fits a card one rank higher or an empty column. Spider uses one rule for placing on a destination and a stricter rule for moving a group. Keeping those two tests separate resolves most apparent contradictions.
Worked position
- Destination: J♥
- Move: 10♠–9♠
- Source: Q♠–J♠–10♠–9♠
- Legal: yes
From Q♠–J♠–10♠–9♠, the bottom tail 10♠–9♠ may move onto J♥ because the selected cards are contiguous, same-suit and led by a Ten one rank below the destination. For a Spider group, every selected card must be contiguous, descending by one and in the same suit. A suit break below or inside the selection divides the stack into separate movable units.
You cannot lift Q♠–J♠ while leaving 10♠–9♠ behind, because a movable group must be a bottom tail. Verify legality in three layers: the source card or tail must be available, the moving cards must be ordered correctly, and the leading card must satisfy the destination rule.
A second position
- Cards: Q♠–J♠ while leaving 10♠–9♠
- Legal: no
A single card is simply a group of one. Access, not visibility, is the key resource. A card matters when it becomes selectable and already has a legal destination; merely seeing it under another card does not improve the position.
Destination suit affects future mobility, but not the legality of this placement. The first move should be evaluated by its best concrete continuation. Prefer a line that opens another legal action, rather than one that only makes the board look tidier.
When to change the plan
If the selected cards fail the same-suit, contiguity or destination-rank test, shorten the move to a legal tail or choose another destination. After moving Q♠ / J♠ / 10♠ / 9♠, count the suit breaks that remain.
Common mistake
Do not confuse a legal single-card placement with a legal group move. The cards around Q♠ / J♠ / 10♠ / 9♠ must pass both tests separately.
Practical check
- Is every selected card contiguous and in the same suit?
- Does the leading card fit a destination exactly one rank higher?
- If the destination is empty, have you kept the group rule separate from the rank rule?
- What suit break will remain after the move?
The rule applies in Spider 1 Suit, Spider 2 Suits and Spider 4 Suits. Suit count changes difficulty, not this move test. Re-evaluate the dependency around Q♠ / J♠ / 10♠ / 9♠ after every removal, return or newly exposed card.
Sources used
This guide distinguishes PlaySoli's current game rules from historical variants and marks disputed claims instead of presenting them as settled facts.