How to Play Pyramid Solitaire: The Complete Guide

Pyramid Solitaire stands apart from every other Solitaire variant. Instead of building sequences or foundations, you’re solving a mathematical puzzle: pair exposed cards that add up to 13 to dismantle a pyramid of cards. It’s quick, addictive, and exercises a completely different kind of strategic thinking.

With the lowest win rate of any popular Solitaire variant (just 2-5%), Pyramid is genuinely challenging — but the fast rounds keep you coming back for “just one more game.”

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Setup

A standard 52-card deck is used:

  • 28 cards dealt face-up in a pyramid shape:
    • Row 1 (top): 1 card
    • Row 2: 2 cards
    • Row 3: 3 cards
    • Row 4: 4 cards
    • Row 5: 5 cards
    • Row 6: 6 cards
    • Row 7 (bottom): 7 cards
  • Each row overlaps the row above (cards in lower rows partially cover upper cards)
  • 24 remaining cards form the stock pile

Card Values

This is the key to Pyramid Solitaire — every card has a specific value:

Card Value Pairs With Partner’s Value
Ace 1 Queen 12
2 2 Jack 11
3 3 10 10
4 4 9 9
5 5 8 8
6 6 7 7
7 7 6 6
8 8 5 5
9 9 4 4
10 10 3 3
Jack 11 2 2
Queen 12 Ace 1
King 13 (removed alone) —

Quick memory aid: The six pairs are A+Q, 2+J, 3+10, 4+9, 5+8, 6+7. Kings fly solo.

How to Play: Step by Step

Step 1: Understand “Exposed” Cards

A pyramid card is exposed (available for play) when no cards from the row below overlap it. In the starting position, only the 7 cards in the bottom row are exposed.

Step 2: Pair Cards That Add to 13

Select two exposed cards whose values add up to 13. Both cards are removed from the pyramid. This may expose new cards in the rows above.

Step 3: Remove Kings Immediately

Kings equal 13 by themselves. Whenever an exposed King appears, remove it — there’s never a reason to leave it.

Step 4: Draw from the Stock

Click the stock pile to deal one card face-up to the waste pile. The top waste card can be paired with any exposed pyramid card.

Step 5: Cycle the Stock

When the stock runs out, the waste pile can be flipped to form a new stock (depending on variant rules). Some versions allow unlimited recycling; others limit passes.

Step 6: Win the Game

Clear all 28 pyramid cards to win. The game is lost if the stock is exhausted and no more pairs are available.

Winning Strategies

Strategy 1: Scan the Entire Pyramid First

Before making any moves, look at all available pairs. The order in which you remove pairs dramatically affects whether the game is winnable. Don’t just grab the first pair you see.

Strategy 2: Remove Kings Immediately

Kings are always free removals. There’s never a strategic reason to leave a King sitting in the pyramid.

Strategy 3: Work from the Bottom Up

Removing cards from the bottom rows exposes more cards in the upper rows. Focus on clearing the base of the pyramid to open up the most new cards.

Strategy 4: Think About Blocking

Before removing a pair, check whether those cards are covering something important above them. Sometimes it’s better to wait and use a different pair to expose a more valuable card.

Strategy 5: Track Remaining Cards

Mental (or written) card counting is powerful in Pyramid. If you know that all four 6s have been played but you still need a 7 from the pyramid, you know that pair match is impossible and need to plan around it.

Strategy 6: Use the Stock Wisely

Don’t rush through the stock pile. When you draw a card that can pair with an exposed pyramid card, do so. But also consider whether waiting might give you a better opportunity.

Why Is Pyramid So Hard?

The low win rate (2-5%) comes from structural constraints:

  1. Blocking dependencies: Cards in upper rows can’t be reached until both lower cards covering them are removed.
  2. Limited pairing options: Each card can only pair with cards of one specific rank.
  3. Irreversible choices: Once a pair is removed, those cards are gone. A wrong pairing order can make the game impossible.
  4. Stock pile timing: You may need specific cards from the stock at specific times, but you can’t control the draw order.

Despite the difficulty, the quick round times (most games last 2-5 minutes) make Pyramid addictive. You know within a few moves whether a deal has potential.

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