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Download on Google Play- Deal 28 cards in 7 overlapping rows forming a pyramid.
- Remaining 24 cards form the stock pile.
- Remove two exposed pyramid cards that sum to 13 (e.g., Q+A, J+2, 10+3).
- Remove Kings alone since they equal 13.
- Draw from the stock when no pyramid pairs are available.
- Top waste card is always available for pairing.
- Win by clearing the entire pyramid.
- Win rate is only about 5-10% despite simple rules.
Rules
Pyramid Solitaire is a unique patience game where cards are arranged in a pyramid shape and removed in pairs that sum to 13. The goal is to demolish the entire pyramid through strategic pairing.
Objective
Remove all cards from the pyramid by pairing exposed cards that add up to 13.
Setup
- Players: 1 player.
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
- Pyramid: Deal 28 cards in 7 overlapping rows forming a pyramid (1 card on top, 7 on bottom).
- Stock: Remaining 24 cards form the draw pile.
Card Values
- King: 13 (removed alone, no pair needed).
- Queen: 12, Jack: 11, 10-Ace: Face value (Ace = 1).
- Valid Pairs: Q+A, J+2, 10+3, 9+4, 8+5, 7+6.
Gameplay
- Pairing: Remove any two exposed pyramid cards that sum to 13. A card is exposed when no cards overlap it from below.
- Kings: Remove Kings individually since they equal 13 alone.
- Stock: Draw cards from the stock one at a time. Pair stock cards with exposed pyramid cards or discard to the waste.
- Waste Pile: The top waste card is always available for pairing.
Tips and Strategies
- Remove Kings immediately — they do not need a partner and free up space.
- Focus on the cards blocking the most other cards deeper in the pyramid.
- Plan ahead by scanning what pairs are possible before committing.
Tips & Strategy
Always scan the entire pyramid for pairs before drawing from the stock. Available pairs in the pyramid are more valuable than stock draws.
Clearing the bottom row first opens the most options. However, sometimes sacrificing a bottom pair to access a critical card higher up is the winning move.
Trivia & Fun Facts
The estimated win rate for Pyramid Solitaire is about 5-10%, making it one of the harder solitaire games despite its simple rules.
In Pyramid Solitaire, which card rank can be removed without a partner?
History & Culture
Pyramid Solitaire gained popularity as a computer game in the 1990s and has remained a favorite digital solitaire variant since.
Pyramid Solitaire is one of the most popular alternative solitaire games worldwide, particularly in digital form on phones and tablets.
Variations & House Rules
Relaxed Pyramid allows pairing with any visible card, not just fully exposed ones. Giza deals three waste piles instead of one.
Allow 2-3 passes through the stock for an easier game. Use a 6-row pyramid (21 cards) for a quicker variant.
