Pyramid Solitaire: Rules, Card Values and Strategy

Pyramid Solitaire is a quick, satisfying card game where you clear a triangle of cards by pairing cards that add up to 13. Rounds are short, which makes it a great fit for a break. Like most solitaire games, a little planning goes a long way.

Card values

• Ace = 1
• 2 to 10 = their number
• Jack = 11
• Queen = 12
• King = 13

The setup

• 28 cards are dealt face up in a pyramid of seven rows: one card at the top, seven at the bottom. Each card is partly covered by the two cards below it.
• The remaining 24 cards form the stock.
• Next to the stock is a waste pile, where cards drawn from the stock go.

The rules

• A card is available only when no cards in the row below are covering it. At the start, only the bottom row is available.
• Remove two available cards whose values add up to 13:
• Ace + Queen
• 2 + Jack
• 3 + 10
• 4 + 9
• 5 + 8
• 6 + 7
• A King (13) is removed on its own.
• You can pair a pyramid card with the top card of the waste pile, or pair the top waste card with the top stock card in some versions.
• Draw from the stock to the waste one card at a time when you need new options.
• How many times you can go through the stock depends on the version: some allow one pass, others allow several.

You win by clearing the whole pyramid. (Some versions also require clearing the stock and waste.)

Strategy tips

1. Look before you pair

When a card can pair with two different cards, pick the pairing that uncovers more of the pyramid. Removing a card that sits on top of two others is usually more valuable than removing one from the waste pile.

2. Work evenly across the pyramid

If you only clear one side, the other side's cards stay locked under each other. Clearing from both sides keeps more cards available and gives you more pairing options.

3. Remember what is in the stock

If you have a limited number of passes through the stock, pay attention to its order. When you know a 9 is coming up soon, you might save the 4 in the pyramid for it instead of pairing that 4 with something else now.

4. Watch for blocked pairs

The hardest situations come from two cards that need each other but are stacked in the same line: for example, a 5 covering an 8 that it would need to pair with. Neither can be removed with the other, so you need other 8s and 5s for them. Spot these early and plan to keep matching cards available.

5. Kings are free moves

Remove Kings as soon as they become available. They never need a partner, and removing them may uncover new cards.

6. Don't burn the stock too fast

Drawing from the stock is necessary, but if your version limits passes, draw slowly. Before each draw, make sure there are no pairs available in the pyramid and waste pile.

How often can you win?

Pyramid is a game with a lot of luck. Many deals cannot be cleared no matter how you play, especially with a single pass through the stock. Versions that allow multiple passes are much more forgiving.

Quick routine

1. Remove any available Kings.
2. Look for pairs in the pyramid that uncover the most cards.
3. Check pairs with the top waste card.
4. Draw from the stock only when no pair is available.

Pyramid is a short game, so a loss only costs a minute. Use each round to practice planning, and you will notice more wins over time.