Is Solitaire Clash a Scam?

If you’re thinking of playing Solitaire Clash, you need to know: Is Solitaire Clash a scam? 

Below, we explain whether Solitaire Clash is a scam and discuss some steps you can take to improve your safety when playing this game. 

What Is Solitaire Clash?

Solitaire Clash is a mobile card game that takes the traditional solo game of Solitaire into a competitive, multiplayer experience. It was developed by AviaGames. 

Rather than playing alone, in Solitaire Clash, you compete against real people in real-time tournaments. The goal is to complete the Solitaire layout faster than your rival. The faster and more accurately you finish clearing the cards, the more likely you are to win. 

There are various tournaments to choose from, some of which are free and some of which require a small entry fee. 

For paid tournaments, winners earn portions of the collected entry fees as cash prizes. The prize amounts depend on factors like the number of participants and the size of the entry fee.

Is Solitaire Clash a Scam?

Depends on what you mean by “scam” and why you’re looking to play Solitaire Clash, i.e., for fun or to make money. 

According to third-party reviews, Solitaire Clash is a legitimate game. 

At the time of writing, the game has a 4.5 out of 5.0-star rating (from 5,598 reviews) on Google Play and a 4.7 out of 5.0-star rating (out of 25,568 reviews) on the App Store. 

However, some Solitaire Clash players report frequent ads and slow progression on online forums. They also mention that genuine winnings are rare and often offset by the time and effort required.

A large percentage of Solitaire Clash players also suspect that their opponents are not real players but bots or pre-programmed characters due to their suspiciously high scores. 

In 2024, a class action lawsuit in California was filed against Solitaire Clash developer Avia Games, alleging that Avia Games presents its app as a skill-based contest with live opponents while, in reality, it actually uses bots. 

Some also believe the payout system is rigged. Complaints include disproportionate “house takes” from tournament entry fees, difficulty cashing out winnings, and the reality that earnings rarely match the promised amounts. 

Others claim that win rates stall near certain thresholds or that withdrawing funds involves high fees or delays.

This also appears to be the case for some other AviaGames apps. 

According to some sources, the Solitaire Clash app might be considered a gambling app because users have to deposit money to enter certain tournaments, and they can lose money. 

Security 

In its privacy policy (which is the same as that of AviaGames, a company that develops the game), Solitaire Clash says it takes “steps to ensure that your information is treated securely.” However, it does not describe what these steps are. 

According to Solitaire Clash’s Google Play page, data isn’t encrypted when you use the app (i.e., your data isn’t transferred over a secure connection) and can’t be deleted. 

Privacy

Solitaire Clash’s privacy policy outlines the data the game collects (e.g., name, payment information, biometric information, etc.) and what it uses it for (e.g., to provide its services, administrative purposes, marketing, etc.). 

The company can disclose your information to service providers, business partners, affiliates, other users/website visitors (if you share your profile publicly), advertising partners, Application Program Interfaces (“APIs”) and Software Development Kits (“SDKs”), law enforcement, and in the event of a merger/sale/other asset transfers. 

According to Solitaire Clash’s App Store page, the app can collect information like your location, contacts, identifiers, diagnostics, contact information, user content, usage data, and other data. 

So, Should You Play Solitaire Clash?

That depends.

Solitaire Clash’s free tournaments might be a good option for casual entertainment, but they might be a frustrating experience for those looking to make money by playing games. 

If you do end up playing Solitaire Clash, set modest expectations and avoid spending real money upfront. 

How to Play Solitaire Clash Safely 

Here are some tips for a safer experience while playing Solitaire Clash. 

• Use a separate email. Create a separate email address (or use a masked email) for gaming accounts to keep your primary email private.
• Create a strong password. Use a complex password that you haven’t used elsewhere. 
• Limit personal information sharing. Avoid sharing unnecessary personal details on in-game profiles or forums linked to the game.
• Review app permissions. When installing Solitaire Clash, check what permissions it asks for. If it requires access to data or features unrelated to gameplay, consider not downloading the app. 
• Use a secure payment method. Consider using prepaid cards to deposit money for tournaments.
• Set a spending limit. Before you make any deposits to the game, decide on a budget and stick to it. Frequent small deposits can quickly add up over time.
• Monitor your transactions. Regularly check your payment account or card statements for unexpected charges related to the game.
• Read the privacy policy. Understand how Solitaire Clash will use and store your data. 
• Stay informed. Follow reliable sources or communities that discuss Solitaire Clash for updates on scams or issues.