Crescent Solitaire - Free Online Card Game

Crescent Solitaire is an unusual twist on the typical card solitaire game. Draw pile cards are separated into stacks in a "crescent" shape around the foundation piles.

This game is part of the free online brain games collection.

To begin, click the Small, Medium, or Large link under the picture of the game. This opens the game in a pop-up window.

If you like this game, you might also enjoy the other free solitaire card games such as Basic Klondike Solitaire.

Instructions - Crescent Solitaire

Note: The instructions below were written for the old Adobe Flash version of the game.

That's not the only difference. In this game, build up 4 foundation piles, and ALSO build down 4 foundation piles.

HOW TO PLAY. After the game loads, click the Play button to begin. The cards are dealt automatically.

The in-game instructions provide a good overall explanation of how to play.

For your convenience, I've reproduced them here:

"The object of the game is to move all of the cards from the outer piles onto the central foundation areas. There are 2 foundation areas for each suit.

"You must build sequentially in either ascending or descending order.

"The topmost card on each outer pile can be moved onto another pile IF they are of the same suit and in ascending or descending order. For example, a 7 of Clubs may be placed onto either a 6 of Clubs or an 8 of Clubs.

"Play continues until no further moves are possible. Then the piles can be shuffled.

"You have a maximum of 3 shuffles per game. If you get stuck, you can use the Hint button."

The draw cards are placed in a crescent shape around the left, top, and right of the playing surface. There are 16 draw piles in all.

Unlike other solitaire games like pyramid solitaire, the 8 foundation piles in Crescent Solitaire are dealt horizontally in the center of the arc, two rows of four piles each. Sort cards from the draw piles into the foundation piles.

Move cards from pile to pile by dragging each card with the mouse.

In the top row of foundation piles, build down by suit. These piles start with Kings. So, for example, place the Queen of Spades on top of the King of Spades.

In the bottom row of foundation piles, build up by suit. These piles start with Aces. So, for example, place the 2 of Hearts on top of the Ace of Hearts.

Extra Features

This solitaire game has a few extra features that are useful:

• Score. You'll earn 5 points for each successful card placement. Even if you don't manage to finish each game, see how high a score you can earn.

  Your score displays in the Score box in the lower left of the Crescent Solitaire screen.

• Moves. The Moves feature lets you know how many possible moves are available on the board at a given moment. This displays next to the Score box and changes continuously as you play the game.

• Hint. If you get stuck, click the HINT button in the lower right. You get 5 hints per game.

  When you click the Hint button, a playable card is outlined in red in one of the draw piles.

• Shuffle. If you run out of moves, click the Shuffle button in the lower right. You get 3 shuffles per game.

  When you click the Shuffle button, the cards in all the draw piles are shuffled. This reveals different cards available for play on the foundation piles.

Games like card solitaire train important brains skills including logical thinking and visual perception. Play card games often to help keep your brain sharp.

Published: 12/29/2015
Last Updated: 06/11/2020