Pyramid deals twenty-eight cards into a graceful seven-row triangle and gives you one elegant rule: remove pairs that sum to thirteen. A queen needs an ace, a ten needs a three, and the king — worth thirteen alone — needs nobody.
It’s solitaire as gentle mental arithmetic, and one of the most relaxing games in the whole collection.
How to Play Pyramid Solitaire by Yourself
- Deal 28 cards face up into a pyramid of seven rows.
- Remove any two uncovered cards whose ranks add up to 13.
- Kings count as 13 and are removed on their own with a single tap.
- Draw from the stock when no pairs are available; the top waste card can pair with board cards.
- Keep clearing until the entire pyramid is gone.
Rules of Pyramid Solitaire
- Card values: Ace = 1, number cards = face value, Jack = 11, Queen = 12, King = 13.
- Valid pairs sum to exactly 13: A+Q, 2+J, 3+10, 4+9, 5+8, 6+7 — plus lone Kings.
- A card is playable only when no card overlaps it.
- The top card of the waste pile may be used as half of a pair.
- The stock may be passed through a limited number of times.
- The game is won when all 28 pyramid cards are removed.
Winning Strategies for Pyramid Solitaire
- Memorize the pairs that make 13 until they’re reflex: A-Q, 2-J, 3-10, 4-9, 5-8, 6-7.
- Clear symmetrically — a lopsided pyramid strands cards under a heavy wing.
- Before pairing two board cards, check if a waste-pile pairing frees a more buried card.
- Count copies: if three 9s are already gone, protect access to the last 4.
- Remove Kings immediately; there is never a reason to wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Pyramid Solitaire alone?
Yes, Pyramid is a classic one-player card game. This version is free, runs in your browser, and works beautifully on phones.
What pairs add up to thirteen?
Ace + Queen, 2 + Jack, 3 + 10, 4 + 9, 5 + 8, and 6 + 7. Kings equal thirteen by themselves and are removed alone.
Is every Pyramid deal winnable?
No — some deals bury both halves of a needed pair under each other. Skilled play wins roughly half of random deals, which keeps it interesting.
What happens when the stock runs out?
Depending on the variant, the waste is recycled a limited number of times. When no moves and no recycles remain, the round ends.
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