What AARP Crescent Solitaire is and where to find it

AARP Crescent Solitaire is a free card game available on the AARP website and mobile app. It is a single-player solitaire variant where you build sequences of cards in a crescent-shaped layout, moving cards to foundation piles as they become available. The game is designed to be played at your own pace with no time pressure or competition against other players.

You can play Crescent Solitaire directly in your web browser by visiting the AARP Games section, or you can read the AARP Games app on your phone or tablet. The game requires no account creation, payment, or personal information to start playing. It loads quickly and works on most devices with an internet connection.

Key Takeaways

  • Crescent Solitaire uses a single deck of 52 cards arranged in a crescent shape, with two foundation piles where you build sequences.
  • You move cards to the foundation piles in ascending order, starting with an Ace and ending with a King, alternating between red and black suits.
  • Cards in the crescent layout can be moved to the foundation if they match the next card needed, or rearranged within the layout itself.
  • The goal is to move all 52 cards to the two foundation piles before you run out of legal moves.
  • You can undo moves, restart the game, or get hints if you get stuck, with no penalty for using these features.

The card layout and how the game starts

When you open Crescent Solitaire, the screen shows a crescent-shaped arrangement of cards fanned out in rows. Below the crescent are two empty foundation piles where you will build your sequences. At the start of the game, most cards are face-down (showing their backs), and a few cards are face-up so you can see what you are working with.

The two foundation piles begin empty. One pile will hold a sequence of red cards (hearts and diamonds), and the other will hold a sequence of black cards (clubs and spades). You build each pile by alternating colors: red card, then black card, then red card, and so on, always moving up in rank from Ace to King.

Moving cards to the foundation piles

To win, you need to move all 52 cards from the crescent layout to the two foundation piles. Cards move to the foundation only when they are the next card needed in sequence. For example, if one foundation pile shows a red 5, the next card you can place there must be a black 6. After that comes a red 7, then a black 8, and so on.

You can only move a card to the foundation if it is face-up and visible in the crescent layout. When you move a card, any face-down card beneath it flips over, giving you new options. This is how you gradually reveal cards that were hidden at the start. If a card in the crescent is not the next card needed in either foundation pile, you cannot move it to the foundation yet—you must wait until the sequence catches up to it.

Rearranging cards within the crescent layout

While you are waiting for the right moment to move a card to the foundation, you can rearrange cards within the crescent itself. You can move a face-up card onto another face-up card if the card you are moving is one rank lower and the opposite color. For example, you can place a black 7 onto a red 8, or a red 3 onto a black 4.

When you move a card within the crescent, you can move the entire sequence beneath it as a group. This means if you have a black 7 on top of a red 8, and you want to move that black 7 somewhere else, the red 8 comes along with it. Rearranging cards this way helps you uncover face-down cards and set up better moves toward the foundation piles.

What to do when you get stuck

If you reach a point where no more moves are possible—no cards in the crescent match the next card needed in either foundation pile, and no rearrangements within the crescent will help—the game ends. You do not have to play to the end; you can restart at any time and begin a fresh game with a new shuffle of the deck.

Before you restart, try using the hint feature. Click the hint button and the game will highlight a card you can move, either to the foundation or within the crescent. Hints are free and unlimited, so use them whenever you are unsure of your next move. You can also undo your last move or your last several moves if you want to try a different path. These features exist to help you learn the game and enjoy it at your own pace.

Strategy tips for better outcomes

One useful approach is to focus on uncovering face-down cards early in the game. Moving cards around within the crescent to flip hidden cards often opens up new possibilities. Do not rush to move a card to the foundation just because you can; sometimes it is better to rearrange first and see what cards become available.

Pay attention to which cards are still face-down in the crescent. If a card you need for the foundation is buried under several others, work on exposing it by moving the cards on top of it. Also watch for sequences within the crescent that you can build in descending order (like 9-8-7-6) to create space and reveal more cards below.

Playing on different devices

Crescent Solitaire works the same way whether you play on a computer, tablet, or phone. On a computer, you click cards to select them and click again to move them. On a phone or tablet, you tap cards to select and move them. The layout adjusts to fit your screen size, so the crescent and foundation piles remain visible and straightforward to tap.

Your progress in a single game is saved while you are playing, but games do not carry over between sessions. Each time you close the game and come back, you start fresh. There is no score tracking or leaderboard; the only goal is to move all the cards to the foundation before you run out of moves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Crescent Solitaire offline?

The web version requires an internet connection to load and play. However, if you read the AARP Games app on your phone or tablet, you may be able to play offline depending on your device and app version. Check your app settings or the AARP website for details on offline play.

Is there a time limit for each move?

No. Crescent Solitaire has no timer or time pressure. You can take as long as you want to think about your next move, and the game will not rush you or end because time ran out.

Can I play against other people?

Crescent Solitaire is a single-player game only. You play against the deck, not against other players. There is no online multiplayer or competitive mode.

What happens if I close the game in the middle of a round?

If you close the game, your current game is lost and you cannot resume it. The next time you open Crescent Solitaire, you will start a brand new game with a fresh shuffle of the deck.

Are there different difficulty levels?

Crescent Solitaire has one standard version with no difficulty settings. Every game uses the same rules and the same deck of 52 cards, though the shuffle is different each time you play.