How to play Crescent Solitaire
2 decks. Average. 3 redeals.
Crescent Solitaire
Crescent Solitaire uses 104 cards (2 decks).
You have 16 tableau piles with 6 cards per pile and 8 foundations. An Ace and a King of each suit are removed from the deck to form the Foundation piles.
The object of the game
Build the aces up in suit to kings, and the kings down in suit to aces.
The rules
Only the top card of each pile is available for play.
You may build tableau piles up or down in suit. Only one card at a time can be moved from pile to pile. Empty tableau cannot be filled.
When you have made all the moves initially available, click on the empty stock pile to restack the cards. During restacking the bottom card of each pile is moved to the top of the pile.
You have three redeals.
Crescent Solitaire Strategy Tips
- Prioritize Foundation Moves: Move top cards from tableau piles to the foundation piles (Ace up to King or King down to Ace) to build in-suit sequences and free up tableau space.
- Uncover Next Foundation Cards Early: Prioritize moves that bring the next cards for foundation sequences (e.g., 2s for Ace-up or Qs for King-down foundations) to the top of tableau piles early to continue building on the starting Aces and Kings.
- Plan Restacking Strategically: Use the three allowed restacks (clicking the empty stock pile to move bottom cards to the top of each tableau pile) to bring key cards, like 2s or Qs, to the top for foundation moves or to unblock in-suit sequences.
- Build Strategic Tableau Sequences: Arrange top cards in the 16 tableau piles to form in-suit sequences (ascending, e.g., 4♥, 5♥, 6♥, or descending, e.g., 6♥, 5♥, 4♥), prioritizing moves that keep cards for all suits accessible for both Ace-up and King-down foundations.
- Avoid Trapping Needed Cards: Avoid building tableau sequences that cover cards needed for foundations (e.g., placing a 4♥ on a 5♥ when the 5♥ is needed for an Ace-up foundation), and be cautious when switching sequence direction to keep cards for all suits playable.
- Move Cards Between Foundations: In mid-to-late game, transfer cards between foundation piles of the same suit (e.g., from Ace-up to King-down) to unblock tableau moves or continue foundation sequences when moves are limited.
- Use Undo Wisely: If available, use the undo feature to test moves and correct mistakes, but avoid over-reliance to maintain strategic focus.
- Think Ahead: Plan moves and restacks to maintain access to cards needed for all eight foundations, avoiding moves that limit options as restacks dwindle.
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