Pyramid Solitaire
Pyramid Solitaire is a matching game rather than a tableau-building game. Twenty-eight cards form seven overlapping rows, and the remaining twenty-four cards form the stock. Clear the pyramid by removing exposed cards in pairs that total 13.
How to Play Pyramid Solitaire
- Only uncovered cards can be selected. A card is uncovered when no cards overlap its lower edge.
- Pair cards whose ranks total 13: Queen + Ace, Jack + 2, 10 + 3, 9 + 4, 8 + 5, or 7 + 6.
- A King is worth 13 and clears by itself.
- The top waste card can pair with any exposed pyramid card.
- Click the stock to reveal another waste card. After the stock runs out, you may recycle the waste twice.
- Remove all twenty-eight pyramid cards to win; unused stock cards do not have to be cleared.
Select the first exposed card and then its matching partner. The Hint button highlights a legal pair—or a King—without removing it automatically.
Strategy That Helps
Prefer pairs that uncover two cards instead of one. Before using a waste card, check whether it can remove a pyramid card that blocks several cards above it. Track valuable complements in the waste, especially Aces for Queens and low cards for high cards.
Pyramid Solitaire FAQ
Why can I not select a visible card?
Visible does not always mean exposed. If either of the two cards in the row below still overlaps it, that card remains blocked.
What cards make 13?
Q+A, J+2, 10+3, 9+4, 8+5, and 7+6. A King removes itself without a partner.
How many times can I go through the stock?
This version starts with one pass and allows two redeals, for three passes through the stock in total.
Do I need to remove every stock card?
No. You win as soon as all twenty-eight cards in the pyramid have been removed.