Any tips for dealing with the Widow?

[Schmitzkater]

I'm currently trying to get through the game as ??? and probably the boss I have the most trouble with is the Widow (aside from the more annoying than deadly Gurdy Jr.)
You often encounter her even in the earliest stages of the game, like the cellar, when you're still fairly weak and don't have that much damage output.

Any effective strategies against her? I started trying to stand as close as possible to her, since then she can't seem to jump directly on you (she does longer jumps) but then you can't really avoid all the other little spiders.

[Elleander]

Try moving back, but going under her as she jumps at you(move in her direction as she jumps)
Also, if you happen to be lucky enough to get any speed boosts, you should have no problem at all. Try to focus any time you have not killing the boss on removing 1)Boils 2) Small Spiders 3) Large Spiders(They split into two small ones, so it's best to keep them alive if you can).
In terms of pure luck, Bloody Lust will help out a ton.
Hope that helps.

[Stormo]

A good strategy I always use is to have her stomp on her own spawns. It's especially handy if you get the variation that spawns boils or those stationary spiderweb balls (forget what they are called). For the rest, just stay out of her way and you should be okay.

My personal hate-bosses are Peep and Gurdy. Seriously, ♥♥♥♥ those two.

[SplatterKat]

Get drunk and press all the buttons untill, by sheer luck, you complete the game.
Works for me.

[Discrider]

Yeah, ♥♥♥♥ Peep. As for Widow, just like all bloody spiders, shes incredibly capable of covering large distances towards you if given half a chance. So Never retreat backwards, and always retreat orthagonally because she won't change direction until she drops. Make her stomp her own spiders, and kill any boils she spawns that aren't at the corners of the room.
The Peep/Widow hybrid (The brown scarred widow which shoots bullets in a spray) is really annoying.

[BreeCheese]

I seem to do fine simply "kiting" her around the edge of the map. And make sure you never stop moving. I also agree with the strategies above, excepting Ninty.

[Matt Marche]

Bad suggestions for non-champion widow.

For regular widoe, stand next to it. When it jumps, it will go right over you and you can just fire without moving with no worry of getting hit by anything but spiders.

[Matt Marche]

Late, but here's a video of said strategy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv9MVnDwSgc