How to Play Pyramid Solitaire: Rules, Strategy & Winning Tips
Pyramid Solitaire is a fast, addictive card game where you clear a pyramid by pairing cards that add up to 13. Here are the rules, the setup, and the strategy that wins.
Pyramid Solitaire is one of the most charming and approachable solitaire variants ever dealt. Instead of building neat foundation piles, your job is to tear down a pyramid of cards by pairing them up so each pair adds to 13. It is quick to learn, satisfying to play, and surprisingly strategic once you start planning ahead. This guide covers the complete rules, setup, and the tactics that turn near-misses into clean wins.
The Goal of Pyramid Solitaire
The objective is simple: remove every card from the pyramid. You do that by selecting pairs of exposed cards whose values total 13. Aces are worth 1, Jacks 11, Queens 12, and Kings 13 — which means a King is removed all on its own.
How to Set Up Pyramid Solitaire
How to Play
- Pair any two exposed cards that add up to 13 (for example 9 + 4, Queen + Ace, or 7 + 6) to remove them both.
- Remove any exposed King by itself — it is already worth 13.
- Turn cards from the stock to the waste pile when you are stuck; the top waste card can be paired with any exposed pyramid card.
- Keep clearing until the pyramid is empty. If you run out of moves and the stock, the game is blocked.
Pyramid Solitaire Strategy: 6 Tips to Win More
- Free the pyramid first. Prioritise pairs that unlock the most covered cards over pairs that only use the stock — opening the structure gives you more future options.
- Look two moves ahead. Before removing a pair, check whether one of those cards is the only partner for a card you will need to expose later.
- Don't rush the Kings. Kings clear alone any time, so leave them until removing them actually unblocks a lower card.
- Mind your stock count. With limited redeals, spend stock cards deliberately — a card you skip now may not come back around.
- Keep balance across columns. Clearing one side of the pyramid too fast can strand cards on the other side with no valid partner.
- Use Undo and Hints to learn. When you practise online, replaying a blocked board teaches you which early pair caused the dead end.
Play Pyramid Solitaire Free in Your Browser
The fastest way to master these tactics is to play. You can play Pyramid Solitaire free online right here — no download, no sign-up — or warm up with Classic Klondike and TriPeaks Solitaire. When you are ready for daily challenges and a whole kingdom to rebuild, Solitaire Castle Royal brings it all to your phone.