How to play Pyramid Solitaire
Pyramid is a quick solitaire game about adding up to 13. Twenty-eight cards are dealt face up in a pyramid of seven rows, each row overlapping the one above. The other 24 cards form the stock.
The goal is to clear the whole pyramid.
| Card | Value | Pairs with |
|---|---|---|
| Ace | 1 | Queen |
| 2 to 10 | Face value | 2 and Jack, 3 and 10, 4 and 9, 5 and 8, 6 and 7 |
| Jack, Queen | 11, 12 | 2, Ace |
| King | 13 | Removed on its own |
- Remove two cards that add up to 13. Both must be free: a card is free when no card in the row below covers it.
- A King adds up to 13 alone, so a free King is removed with one tap.
- Tap the stock to turn its top card onto the waste pile. The top waste card can pair with any free pyramid card.
- You can go through the stock three times.
Tap a card to pair it with a matching free card; if there are two, tap again to switch. You can also drag one card onto its partner.
Pyramid strategy tips
- Work from the bottom up. Every pair in the low rows frees cards above. Prefer pairs that remove two pyramid cards over pairs with the waste.
- Choose between twin partners. If a 6 can pair with two different 7s, take the one that frees more cards.
- Remember what is in the stock. On later passes you know when a needed card will come up, so hold back pairs that would waste it.
- Count the pairs left. If all four Queens are still in the pyramid, each Ace you use elsewhere leaves a Queen without a partner.
Frequently asked questions
Which cards add up to 13?
Ace and Queen (1 + 12), 2 and Jack (2 + 11), 3 and 10, 4 and 9, 5 and 8, 6 and 7. A King counts 13 on its own and is removed with a single tap.
How many times can I go through the stock?
Three times in all: you can turn the waste over twice. After the third pass the stock is gone.
Can I pair a card with the card covering it?
No. Both cards must be fully uncovered. A card is free only when both cards in the row below it have been removed.
Do I have to use up the stock to win?
No. The game is won as soon as the pyramid is cleared, even if cards are left in the stock or waste.
Is Pyramid Solitaire hard?
Yes, it is one of the harder patience games. Many deals cannot be cleared however well you play, so a win is worth celebrating. Planning ahead and using undo helps a lot.
Is this Pyramid Solitaire free?
Yes. It is free, runs in your browser on phones, tablets and computers, and needs no download or account. Your game and your stats are saved in your own browser.