How to play Pyramid Solitaire
Pyramid is solitaire as a pure puzzle: 28 cards stacked into a pyramid, and one simple rule - remove pairs of exposed cards that add up to 13. Aces count 1, Jacks 11, Queens 12, and Kings are 13 all by themselves, so they come off with a single click. Clear every card from the pyramid and you win.
Just want the rules? Read the complete Pyramid rulebook.
- The magic pairs - K alone · Q + A · J + 2 · 10 + 3 · 9 + 4 · 8 + 5 · 7 + 6. Learn these and the game becomes a hunt, not arithmetic.
- Exposed cards - only cards with nothing on top of them can be played. The bottom row starts free; every removal opens up the row above.
- The covering move - if just one card still covers another and the two add up to 13, you may play the covering card onto the card beneath it. A 4 covering a lone 9? Pair them.
- The stock - click the face-down pile to turn cards onto the waste one at a time. The top waste card pairs with any exposed pyramid card.
- Recycling - when the stock runs out, click the empty slot to flip the waste back over. You can reset the stock as many times as you like.
Strategy tips for a game most people lose
- Scan the whole pyramid before your first move. Count each rank. If all four of one rank sit buried above all four of its partner rank, the deal may be unwinnable - knowing early saves time.
- Work the pyramid, not the waste. A pair that removes two pyramid cards always beats one that removes a pyramid card and a waste card. Only the pyramid needs clearing.
- Dig where the pyramid is tallest. Removals in the middle open two cards; removals at the edges open one. Prioritize the center columns.
- Don't burn Kings too fast. A King in the waste costs nothing to leave there - removing it is only urgent when it blocks the pyramid.
- Track what the stock owes you. If you need a 4 for that last 9, count how many 4s you have seen. Recycling is unlimited, but cycling forever after a card that is already gone will not bring it back - know when a deal is dead.
- Use undo without shame. Pairing the wrong copy of a card is the classic Pyramid blunder - backing up one move is often the difference between stuck and solved.
Frequently asked questions
What are the rules of Pyramid Solitaire?
Twenty-eight cards are dealt into a seven-row pyramid. Remove exposed cards in pairs that add up to 13 - an Ace counts 1, Jack 11, Queen 12 - and Kings come off on their own since they are worth 13 already. Clear the whole pyramid to win.
Which cards add up to 13 in Pyramid Solitaire?
King alone (13), Queen + Ace, Jack + 2, 10 + 3, 9 + 4, 8 + 5, and 7 + 6. Memorizing these six pairs is the first step to playing quickly.
When is a pyramid card available to play?
A card is available when no cards overlap it from the row below. At the start only the seven bottom cards are playable; removing two neighbors frees the card above them. One special case: if only one card still covers another, and the two add up to 13, you may pair the covering card with the card beneath it - for example, play a 4 onto the 9 it is covering once the other coverer is gone.
How does the stock work in Pyramid Solitaire?
The 24 cards left after the deal form a stock. Click it to turn one card onto the waste; the top waste card can be paired with any open pyramid card. When the stock runs out, click the empty slot to flip the waste back over - in this version you may reset the stock as many times as you want.
Are all Pyramid Solitaire games winnable?
No - Pyramid is one of the toughest solitaire variants, with only a small share of deals solvable under strict rules. Unlimited stock recycling raises your chances a lot, but expect to lose more than you win. That is exactly what makes a cleared pyramid feel so good.
Can I play Pyramid Solitaire offline or on my phone?
The game runs entirely in your browser and works on phones, tablets and desktops. Your game in progress is saved automatically, so you can close the tab and pick up where you left off.
More free card games
After more classic fare? Play Klondike Solitaire, take on two decks in Spider Solitaire, or try the almost-always-winnable FreeCell.