Spider ▻ Solitaire +

Spider Extraordinaire I became a Spider enthusiast some years ago; it’s the one and only computer game I like. It’s fantastic at keeping my mind sharp, making me develop strategies, delighting my mental creativity the way chess does. When my laptop died and I finally bought an iPad, I had to get an app for it. I checked several versions, having played several versions on several computers and become aware of the important differences among them, such as the awful inability on some to un-do past a deal or past sending a set home. This version allows both of those capacities. Fortunately, it also allows me to turn those awful noises like canned applause and little beeps off. And I also appreciate an inexpensive upgrade to get rid of the ads. Amazingly, it has a three-suit level: four sets of spades, two of hearts and two of diamonds, giving me a level in between my regular two-suit and my rarely attempted four-suit challenge. This is a fantastic plus. The only thing I miss is the re-do button. I used to un-do by clicking the back arrow back until I had an empty stack, maybe all the way back to the previous deal, and then re-do with the forward button until I saw a good alternative to a moves I had made. Sometimes on a particularly interesting game, I would un-do all the way to the beginning and then re-do forward until I saw an option that I had not seen the first time. I really miss being able to do that on this version, but that’s its only fault. Thank you, designer of this; just please give us a forward arrow in the next upgrade.

I have become addicted to winning the expert (4 suite) games! It is even more challenging to realize that (in all probability) every game is able to be solved. (So far, I've solved over 40 in a row - I just keep at it until I solve it.) I used to wish that each game had a number assigned to it, so I could review it, and still think it would be cool so that your friends could work on the same game, but using the back button doesn't sign you out, so you can work on the same game until you solve it. AND YOU CAN!!!!! I just solved one that I gave up on but would return to periodically. It’s been almost two years! I’d return and work it a few times. Left it alone for almost a year, but I just solved it! Now, more than ever, I’d like to be able to review the moves... I am writing this a few months later, having had my phone stolen. I lost the consecutive proof of my winnings, but I have just solved the first expert game that not one card in the opening row was solvable! I have managed to solve each of over a hundred games now. This has made it challenging enough that i continue to go back, but am still able to set it down and work at it in my spare time. Before this, I would get lost for hours! I sometimes still do, but having to figure out different ways to try to play the same game in order to win it before going on to the next one, gives me motivation to set it down more easily. A real winner, and easily worth the minor cost for the "pro" version, so as not to end up with annoying adds!

It is not only a game, it is a Challenge, a lesson for daily living when faced with problems. I love the hard puzzles, and I know with some effort all are solvable. I like the bold level because they are more relaxing than the expert mode, and Some are doable in a few minutes when you have the luck of moving the cards into the "right" pile. To date I have played 2800 in a row, some have needed hours but all in fun since the app's graphics and ease of play is the best out there.