Pyramid Solitaire

How to Play Pyramid Solitaire

Pyramid Solitaire is dealt into a 28-card pyramid — a single card at the apex, then rows of two, three, four, and so on down to a base of seven, with each card overlapping the two below it. The remaining 24 cards form the stock, which you turn one at a time onto a waste pile.

The goal is to clear the whole pyramid by removing cards in pairs that add up to 13. Ranks count at face value, with Ace as 1, Jack as 11, and Queen as 12. That makes the matches Ace + Queen, 2 + Jack, 3 + 10, 4 + 9, 5 + 8, and 6 + 7. A King is worth 13 all by itself, so it clears with a single tap and never needs a partner.

You may only remove a card when it is exposed — that is, when no other card overlaps its bottom edge. Removing a pair frees the cards it was covering, which can unlock a cascade of new matches. A waste card can pair with any exposed pyramid card, so use the stock to find partners the pyramid can't supply on its own. Strip away the last row and the game is won.

Strategy Tips for Pyramid Solitaire

• Look for chains, not single pairs. The best move is the one that exposes two or three new cards, opening up the whole board.
• Track where the Kings are. A buried King blocks everything above the cards it covers, so dig toward Kings that are holding up progress.
• Don't spend a card you'll need. If a 6 is the only partner for a still-buried 7, hold it and find another route.
• Clear the base evenly. Work across the widest row so you don't strand a lonely card with its match locked behind it.
• Use the stock with intent. Flip stock cards to bridge gaps, but remember you cycle it a limited number of times — don't burn it aimlessly.
• Restart bad boards. Pyramid has a low win rate; recognizing a dead deal early and starting fresh is a skill of its own.

In the mood for more matched-removal fun? Climb the peaks in TriPeaks Solitaire, or switch gears and build foundations in classic Klondike Solitaire — all free to play here.