Pyramid Solitaire is a one-deck card game where you remove pairs of cards that sum to 13 from a triangular arrangement. Clear the entire pyramid to win.
About Pyramid Solitaire
Pyramid Solitaire is a relaxing one-player card game using a standard 52-card deck. The pyramid is built from 28 cards arranged in 7 rows: 1 card on top, 2 below, 3 below that, and so on to 7 cards on the bottom. The remaining 24 cards form the stock. To remove cards, pair them so their values sum to 13: Ace = 1, Jack = 11, Queen = 12, King = 13 (Kings are removed alone). Only “free” cards (those not blocked by cards in the row below) can be removed. You can also pair the top card from the stock with any free card. The goal is to remove all 28 pyramid cards. Pyramid Solitaire is one of the few solitaire games where most random deals are unwinnable, making each completed game genuinely satisfying.
How to Play Pyramid Solitaire
- Look at the pyramid: only “free” cards (those with no card on top) can be removed.
- Click two free cards whose values sum to 13 (e.g. 4+9, 5+8, A+Q). Both cards are removed.
- Kings (value 13) are removed alone — click any free King to remove it.
- When stuck, click the Stock to flip the top stock card into the waste pile. You can pair the waste card with any free pyramid card.
- Continue until you clear the pyramid. If you cannot make any more removals, the game ends.
Tips and Strategy
- Always remove Kings as soon as they become free — they take up valuable space.
- Plan your pyramid removals before flipping the stock. Once you flip, you cannot un-flip.
- Look for cascading possibilities: removing one card may free another card whose pair is also free.
- Save high-value cards (Queens, Jacks, 10s) until you have committed pairs available. They have the most potential pairings.
- Pay attention to which cards have already been removed. Tracking remaining cards helps you plan.
- Do not flip the stock too eagerly. Each flip uses up your stock count.
- If you spot multiple valid pairs, choose the one that frees the most blocked cards in the pyramid.
History and Origin
Solitaire (also called Patience) games originated in 18th-century Northern Europe. Pyramid Solitaire specifically dates to at least the late 1800s. The format gained massive popularity in the 1990s when Microsoft began bundling Solitaire games with Windows. Pyramid is one of the most-played solitaire variants because of its simple rules and strong visual appeal — the triangular layout is instantly recognizable. Win rates with random deals are around 0.5-2% with single stock pass, making it a true challenge.
Variations and Game Modes
Variants include Tut’s Tomb (different pyramid layout), Triangle (smaller pyramid), Quadrangle (rectangular layout), and Two-Deck Pyramid (52 cards in pyramid, 52 in stock). Some versions allow pairing pyramid cards (not just sum-to-13).
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Pyramid Solitaire work?
Remove pairs of cards from a 28-card pyramid by matching values that sum to 13 (Ace=1, J=11, Q=12, K=13 alone). Only “free” cards (no card on top) can be removed. Use the stock for additional pairing options. Clear the pyramid to win.
Can every Pyramid Solitaire game be won?
No. With single stock pass and standard rules, only about 0.5-2% of random deals are winnable. Most games end with cards left on the pyramid. This makes wins genuinely satisfying.
Are Kings removed automatically?
No. Kings count as 13 alone, but you must click them to remove them. Kings should be cleared as soon as they become free since they cannot pair with any other card.
What does “free” card mean in Pyramid Solitaire?
A card is “free” when no other cards are stacked on top of it. In the pyramid, a card is free when both cards directly below it have been removed (or it is in the bottom row).
How do I use the Stock pile?
Click the Stock to flip its top card into the waste pile. You can pair the waste card with any free pyramid card whose value sums to 13. The waste card is consumed when paired.
Why is Pyramid Solitaire considered hard?
Most pyramid layouts have constraints that prevent winning — often a key low card is buried under other cards that cannot be cleared. The probability of a winnable deal is genuinely low, around 1 in 50 to 1 in 200 depending on rules.
Can I undo a move?
Our version does not include an undo button by default — Pyramid Solitaire traditionally does not allow undos. This makes each move count and rewards careful planning.
How many cards are in the pyramid?
The pyramid contains 28 cards in 7 rows (1+2+3+4+5+6+7 = 28). The remaining 24 cards form the stock pile.