Pyramid Solitaire Rules

Pyramid Solitaire is a classic [solitaire card game](/) perfect for solo play. Solitaire enthusiasts often enjoy trying [Klondike](/solitaire-klondike) and [Spider Solitaire](/spider-solitaire) for variety. The [World of Solitaire](https://worldofsolitaire.com/) offers hundreds of patience game variations to explore.

  • Category: Solitaire
  • Players: 1

Objective

Your goal is simple to explain but endlessly addictive. You try to dismantle the entire pyramid of 28 cards by removing pairs that add up to 13. A King is worth 13 on its own, so it vanishes the moment you touch it, which always feels oddly satisfying. Every other card needs a partner, and finding those pairs turns the whole layout into a tiny puzzle of timing, intuition, and a bit of luck. Clear the full pyramid and you’ve earned a clean, undeniable win.

Material

One classic 52-card deck with fixed values, unchanged, locked in:

2♠ 3♠ 4♠ 5♠ 6♠ 7♠ 8♠ 9♠ 10♠ J♠ Q♠ K♠ A♠

Card Values

| Card | Value | Pairing | |------|--------|----------| | King (K) | 13 | Removed alone | | Queen (Q) | 12 | Pairs with Ace | | Jack (J) | 11 | Pairs with 2 | | 10 | 10 | Pairs with 3 | | 9 | 9 | Pairs with 4 | | 8 | 8 | Pairs with 5 | | 7 | 7 | Pairs with 6 | | 6 | 6 | Pairs with 7 | | 5 | 5 | Pairs with 8 | | 4 | 4 | Pairs with 9 | | 3 | 3 | Pairs with 10 | | 2 | 2 | Pairs with Jack | | Ace (A) | 1 | Pairs with Queen |

Everything stays exactly as shown: suits, colors, symbols.

Setup

Pyramid Structure

Build a 7-row pyramid with 28 cards:

  • Row 1 → 1 card
  • Row 2 → 2 cards
  • Row 3 → 3 cards
  • Row 4 → 4 cards
  • Row 5 → 5 cards
  • Row 6 → 6 cards
  • Row 7 → 7 cards

Each card overlaps two below it. If someone sits on top of a card → it’s blocked.

Example playable base row:

9♠ 10♥ J♦ Q♣ K♠ A♥ 2♦

Stock Pile

The remaining 24 cards sit face-down as the stock.

Waste Pile

Empty spot beside the stock — this becomes your waste pile.

How to Play

Removing Cards

You’re hunting 13-pairs:

  • Pick two uncovered cards → if they total 13, remove them.
  • Every removal frees the cards underneath.
  • Kings (K♠ K♥ K♦ K♣)? They’re 13 by themselves → remove instantly.

Pairing Examples

  • Q♠ + A♦ → 12 + 1 = 13
  • 9♣ + 4♥ → 9 + 4 = 13
  • 7♦ + 6♠ → 7 + 6 = 13

Quick, clean, satisfying.

Uncovered Cards

A card becomes playable only when:

  • Nothing is overlapping it
  • Both cards above it are gone

Clear two blockers → the upper card unlocks.

Using the Stock Pile

When pyramid moves run dry:

  1. Flip top stock card to waste
  2. Try pairing the waste card
  3. Only top waste card is playable
  4. If no match, flip again
  5. Use stock carefully — once it’s gone, it’s gone

Scoring

Win Condition

Clear all 28 pyramid cards → victory. Doesn’t matter how many stock cards remain.

Loss

You lose if:

  • Stock is empty
  • No valid pairs remain
  • Pyramid still has cards

Yeah, a single leftover card hurts.

Scoring Variants

  • Full clear → +1000 points
  • Each removed card → +5
  • Pyramid card left → –5
  • Stock card left → +2

Strategy Tips

Priority Targets

  • Kings first. Free points, no thinking required.
  • Top cards second. Clearing the peak unlocks everything beneath.
  • Middle blockers third. One smart pair can free whole sections.

Stock Management

  • Don’t spam draws
  • Scan pyramid before every flip
  • Save draws for when they actually matter

Pairing Strategy

  • Build cascades — one removal leading to another
  • Avoid killing useful combos too early
  • Think about tomorrow’s pairs, not just today’s move

Common Mistakes

  • Removing pairs without a plan
  • Burning through stock too fast
  • Ignoring pyramid structure and blocking yourself

Ending the Game

Victory

Pyramid = empty → YOU WIN. No stock check needed.

Loss

Game ends when no moves + no stock.

Near-Win Scenarios

  • One card left? Pray for the match from stock.
  • Last card is a King? Insta-remove → you win.

Variants

Giza

You get three full passes through the stock, giving you more room to breathe and plan. Perfect when you want a friendlier, more forgiving version.

Tut’s Tomb

A bigger pyramid built from two decks, which means more cards, more tension, and a tougher climb. Great for players who enjoy a real challenge.

Triangle

A compact four row layout that plays quick and sharp. Ideal for short breaks or teaching the game to newcomers.

Pyramid Golf

A full point based mode spread across multiple rounds. Here you don’t just clear cards, you craft the smartest score over time.

Relaxed Pyramid

The casual take. Remove any two exposed cards without worrying about reaching 13. Perfect for unwinding.

Pyramid Patience

Stock is dealt in groups of three, making it far trickier to line up the pairs you want. A thoughtful, slower burn for players who enjoy squeezing the most out of every move.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play Pyramid Solitaire?

You build a pyramid of twenty eight cards, then remove pairs of exposed cards that add up to 13. Kings count as 13 on their own, while Queens and Jacks count as 12 and 11. The goal feels simple on paper, but the real charm comes from spotting the right pairs at the right moment. Only cards that aren’t covered by others can be played.

What percentage of Pyramid Solitaire games are winnable?

Pyramid isn’t like FreeCell where almost every deal can be cracked. Many layouts simply can’t be solved no matter how clever you are. Most players estimate that somewhere between half and four fifths of deals are actually winnable depending on the rules you use. Extra redeals and thoughtful planning make a big difference.

Can you redeal in Pyramid Solitaire?

That depends on the version you’re playing. Some allow a couple of passes through the stock, others only let you look once. More redeals make things easier, but they also stretch the game out. If you enjoy a more relaxed puzzle, choose a version that lets you cycle through the stock several times.

What makes a card exposed?

A card becomes exposed when nothing is resting on it. The cards at the bottom of the pyramid start exposed, and every time you clear two cards, the ones sitting right above them suddenly open up. Watching the pyramid slowly unlock row by row is part of the fun.

What happens if I run out of moves?

If you reach a point where no exposed cards add up to 13 and your stock is empty, the game is simply over. Sometimes you’ll see the doom coming several moves ahead, and sometimes it hits you out of nowhere. That’s part of the charm of Pyramid.

Does the order of removing cards matter?

Yes, very much. Removing one tempting pair too early can block access to cards you’ll desperately need later. A good habit is to pause for a second and think about how each move affects the structure above. A little foresight often turns a doomed pyramid into a clear one.

Is Pyramid Solitaire based purely on luck?

Not entirely. You can’t control the initial layout, so luck definitely plays a part, but thoughtful planning matters more than most people expect. Choosing which pair to remove first, saving key cards, and timing stock flips all contribute to your success.