What Is Pyramid Solitaire?
Pyramid Solitaire is a unique and visually distinctive card game where cards are arranged in the shape of a pyramid and removed in pairs that add up to 13. It's fast-paced, a little luck-dependent, and surprisingly strategic once you understand the patterns. If you're looking for a solitaire variant that feels different from Klondike or FreeCell, Pyramid is an excellent choice.
The Objective
Remove all cards from the pyramid (and ideally the stock pile too) by pairing cards whose values add up to 13. Kings are removed alone since they already equal 13. The game is won when the entire pyramid — all 28 cards — has been cleared.
Card Values in Pyramid Solitaire
| Card | Value | Paired With |
|---|---|---|
| Ace | 1 | Queen (12) |
| 2 | 2 | Jack (11) |
| 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 4 | 4 | 9 |
| 5 | 5 | 8 |
| 6 | 6 | 7 |
| King | 13 | Alone |
The Layout Explained
The pyramid consists of 7 rows:
- Row 1 (top): 1 card
- Row 2: 2 cards
- Row 3: 3 cards
- ...and so on to Row 7 (bottom): 7 cards
That's 28 cards total in the pyramid. The remaining 24 cards form the stock pile. Cards in the pyramid are "available" only when they are fully uncovered — meaning no cards from a lower row are overlapping them.
How to Play: Step by Step
- Identify available cards — only cards with no cards on top of them can be selected.
- Pair available cards that add up to 13 and remove them both. Kings are removed alone.
- Draw from the stock when you have no valid pairs. The drawn card is placed on a waste pile and is immediately available to pair.
- Use the waste pile — the top card of the waste pile is always available for pairing, even with pyramid cards.
- Continue until the pyramid is cleared (win!) or you run out of moves with cards still in the pyramid (loss).
Winning Strategies for Pyramid Solitaire
1. Remove Kings Early and Often
Kings block lower cards in the pyramid and can only be removed alone — so clearing them as soon as they become available is almost always the right move. A King sitting in the middle of the pyramid prevents multiple cards beneath it from becoming available.
2. Think About What Gets Uncovered
Before removing a pair, consider what cards will become available after they're gone. If removing a pair exposes two more valuable pairing opportunities, that's better than a pair that exposes nothing useful.
3. Be Careful With Your Stock
Many versions of Pyramid Solitaire allow only a limited number of passes through the stock (often 2–3). If you draw cards from the stock carelessly, you may bury a card you need under others in the waste pile. Try to only draw when necessary.
4. Save Flexible Cards
Some cards pair with only one other value (e.g., a 7 only pairs with a 6). Others, like mid-value cards, might feel more flexible. When you have options, try to use the cards that have the least versatility first, preserving your most flexible options for later.
5. Recognize When a Game Is Unwinnable
Pyramid Solitaire has a lower win rate than many other solitaire variants — many deals simply cannot be cleared. If the cards you need to unblock the pyramid are deeply buried in the stock and waste pile, it may be time to start a fresh game rather than grinding through a losing position.
Why Players Love Pyramid Solitaire
Pyramid Solitaire is quick — most games are decided in under five minutes. The visual layout of the pyramid is satisfying to clear, and the simple mathematical pairing rule (add to 13) is easy to remember. It's an ideal game for short breaks and is widely available on all major online solitaire platforms.