$50,000 Total Prize Pool
$20,000
1st Place
$10,000
2nd Place
$5,000
3rd Place
Additional prizes for top 20 finalists
The Spider Solitaire World Championship returns for its 5th annual edition with the largest prize pool in competitive solitaire history. After last year's record-breaking participation of over 100,000 players from 67 countries, the 2025 championship promises to be the most competitive yet.
Organized by the International Solitaire Federation (ISF) in partnership with major gaming platforms, this year's tournament introduces new formats, stricter anti-cheating measures, and live-streamed finals for the first time.
Registration Opens In:
10
Days
14
Hours
32
Minutes
15
Seconds
February 1, 2025 at 12:00 PM EST
Tournament Structure
Open Qualifiers
Feb 15 - March 15Open to all players worldwide. Complete 50 ranked games of 4-suit Spider Solitaire.
- • Entry fee: $10 (free for previous year's top 100)
- • Top 10,000 players advance based on win rate
- • Minimum 40% win rate required
- • Anti-cheat monitoring active
Regional Semifinals
March 20 - April 10Players compete in their geographic regions for finals spots.
- • 5 regions: Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, Middle East
- • Best of 25 games format
- • Top 20 from each region advance
- • Live proctoring for top performers
World Finals
April 25-27 - Las VegasTop 100 players compete in person for the championship.
- • All expenses paid for finalists
- • Swiss tournament format
- • Top 8 advance to single elimination
- • Finals broadcast live on Twitch and YouTube
Official Rules & Format
Game Rules
- • 4-suit Spider Solitaire only
- • Standard 104-card deck
- • No undo allowed
- • 15-minute time limit per game
- • Official ISF client required
Scoring System
- • Win: 3 points
- • Loss: 0 points
- • Speed bonus: +1 point if won under 5 minutes
- • Perfect game: +2 points (no dead ends)
- • Tiebreaker: Total time for wins
New Anti-Cheating Technology
Following controversies in previous years, the ISF has implemented state-of-the-art anti-cheating measures:
Detection Systems
- • AI-powered move analysis
- • Screen recording requirements
- • Mouse movement tracking
- • Statistical anomaly detection
Penalties
- • Immediate disqualification
- • Lifetime ban from ISF events
- • Forfeiture of any prizes
- • Public disclosure of violations
Note: All finalists must agree to in-person verification and potential polygraph testing.
Hall of Champions
| Year | Champion | Country | Win Rate | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Liu Wei | 🇨🇳 China | 73.2% | $15,000 |
| 2023 | Sarah Johnson | 🇺🇸 USA | 71.8% | $12,000 |
| 2022 | Mikhail Volkov | 🇷🇺 Russia | 74.5% | $10,000 |
| 2021 | Yuki Tanaka | 🇯🇵 Japan | 69.3% | $8,000 |
* 2020 championship was cancelled due to COVID-19
How to Prepare for the Championship
1. Master the Fundamentals
Before entering, ensure you have a solid foundation:
- • Complete our Spider Solitaire Mastery Guide
- • Achieve at least 45% win rate in 4-suit Spider
- • Practice without undo for at least 100 games
- • Study common patterns and sequences
2. Training Regimen
Top players recommend this daily practice routine:
- Morning (30 min): 3 speed games focusing on quick decisions
- Afternoon (45 min): 2 complex games focusing on strategy
- Evening (30 min): Review and analyze lost games
3. Mental Preparation
Championship-level play requires mental stamina:
- • Practice meditation or mindfulness techniques
- • Develop pre-game rituals for consistency
- • Learn to manage tilt and frustration
- • Simulate tournament pressure with timed sessions
Official Partners & Sponsors
Microsoft
Platform Partner
Skillz
Technology Partner
Twitch
Broadcast Partner
Red Bull
Energy Partner
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate in the championship?
Anyone aged 18 or older from eligible countries can participate. You must have a verified ISF account and pay the $10 entry fee. Previous year's top 100 finishers receive free entry.
Can I use assistive software or solvers?
Absolutely not. Any use of solvers, assistive software, or external help will result in immediate disqualification and a lifetime ban. The official client includes anti-cheat detection.
What happens if I qualify for the finals but can't travel?
If you cannot attend the finals in Las Vegas, your spot will be given to the next qualified player. However, you'll still receive any prize money for reaching the finals (minimum $500).
How are the games seeded to ensure fairness?
All players in the same round receive identical shuffles. The seed generation uses cryptographic randomness and is audited by independent third parties. Seeds are revealed after each round completes.
Ready to Compete?
Join thousands of players vying for the title of World Spider Solitaire Champion
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