Pyramid Solitaire

Pyramid Solitaire is a card puzzle about pairing ranks to 13 and dismantling a seven-row pyramid, blending arithmetic with light planning.

Quick turns, clear goals, and a striking triangular tableau create a clean, satisfying rhythm.

Starting layout

Use one standard 52-card deck. Deal 28 cards face up into a pyramid of seven rows: one on the top row, then two, three, and so on down to seven on the bottom row. Each card overlaps two beneath it, so covered cards stay inactive. Place the remaining cards face down as the stock; flip from stock to a waste pile when needed.

Core rules

Play only uncovered pyramid cards or the top card of the waste.
Remove pairs totaling 13. Suits never matter.
Values: King = 13 (remove alone), Queen = 12, Jack = 11, number cards match rank.
No legal pair available? Draw the next stock card to refresh the base choice.
Remove all 28 pyramid cards to clear the tableau.

Winning condition

Victory arrives once every pyramid card leaves the board. Stock and waste may still contain cards; success simply requires a fully dismantled pyramid. Some deals cannot be solved due to distribution, so aim to maximize odds through smart pairing.

Gameplay flow

Scan for exposed pairs that total 13, prioritizing removals that unlock multiple covered cards.
When options dry up, flip from the stock to reveal a new candidate for pairing.
Cycle between pairing and drawing until the tableau opens wide enough for chain removals.
Track future possibilities before committing to a pair that closes off several routes.

Strategic priorities

Coverage first: Prefer pairs that free the largest number of blocked cards.
King timing: Remove visible Kings promptly, unless delaying unlocks a bigger cascade.
Option preservation: When two pairs exist, choose the one that leaves more follow-ups.
Stock discipline: Draw with intent; a single well-timed flip often restarts a stalled board.
Chain planning: Map two or three moves ahead to avoid dead ends.

Common mistakes

Grabbing the first visible pair without checking coverage impact.
Ignoring a buried lane that blocks half the pyramid.
Burning through stock early, then lacking outs later.
Leaving multiple Kings for late cleanup, clogging key lanes.

Variants

Classic Pyramid: One pass through the stock, no redeal.
Relaxed Pyramid: One or more redeals for higher completion rates.
Vegas Pyramid: Buy-in and payout scoring for bankroll management fans.
Pyramid Golf: Hybrid flow that echoes Golf Solitaire sequencing.
Double Pyramid: Two pyramids side by side for longer sessions.

Comparisons

Versus Klondike: Arithmetic pairs to 13 replace suit foundations and column stacking.
Versus Tripeaks: Both clear sculpted layouts; Tripeaks focuses on adjacent ranks, not sums.
Versus Spider: Faster rounds and fewer repair mechanics; Spider favors deep tableau engineering.

FAQ

How many cards form the pyramid?
Twenty-eight total, arranged across seven rows with overlapping coverage.

Do suits affect pairing?
No. Only the sum to 13 matters.

Can every deal be solved?
No. Some shuffles block necessary pairs; careful selection still lifts overall success.

Does classic play allow redeals?
Classic formats avoid redeals; relaxed variants often permit one or more.

Typical game length?
Around 3–10 minutes, depending on decisions and the stock flow.

Conclusion

Pyramid Solitaire blends quick arithmetic with clean visual logic. Focus on coverage, pace stock flips thoughtfully, and build pair chains that open the largest sections of the tableau. Consistent attention to these fundamentals raises completion rates and keeps each deal crisp and rewarding.