Frequently asked questions about Crescent
Can every Crescent deal be won?
No, and the app does not tell you whether a deal can be won: it has no hints and no solver. Deal CR1-N-AAAAAAB can be won, and the Examples page replays it in 128 moves. This site gives no figure for the share of winnable deals, for lack of a reliable measure.
Can you fill an empty pile?
No. A pile that has been emptied stays empty until the end of the game: no card can be placed on it, and the app rejects the move. That is why you should not empty a pile without a reason.
Can you place an Ace on a King?
Yes, on the tableau, if both cards are of the same suit: the sequence of ranks wraps around, so the King and the Ace are adjacent. The King of spades can therefore also be placed on the Ace of spades. On the foundations, however, this wrap-around does not exist.
What does the Redeal button do?
In every pile of two or more cards, the bottom card moves to the top; the order of the other cards does not change. The app grants 3 per game, and after a redeal, earlier moves can no longer be undone.
Can you take a card back from a foundation?
Not to the tableau: the app forbids it. A card can, however, move from one foundation to the other of the same suit, from the ascending one to the descending one or the reverse, if it follows the top card. The base card, the Ace or King placed at the start, never moves.
What is the game code for?
Every deal has a code, for example CR1-N-AAAAAAB. Pasted or typed into the New game window, it gives back exactly the same layout: to replay a deal or share it with someone. The codes on this site come from the app.
Can you undo a move?
Yes, up to the last 100 moves, and the move counter goes back down. A redeal clears the history: moves played before it can no longer be undone.
When is the game lost?
When no move is possible and no redeals remain, the app announces a dead end. You can then undo the last move or start a new game. The game is won when all eight foundations each have thirteen cards.