How to Play Pyramid Solitaire

What is pyramid solitaire? Pyramid solitaire is an enjoyable and relaxing game with the objective of clearing the pyramid by removing cards in pairs that add up to 13. Below you will learn how pyramid solitaire works, and pyramid solitaire rules and setup.

Pyramid Solitaire Rules

| Players: 1 | Type: Solitaire | Supplies: 1 Deck |

Objective

The objective of pyramid solitaire is to remove all the cards from the pyramid in pairs that have an equal value of 13.

Setup

Lay out a pyramid with seven rows. The top row has one card, the second row is staggered below with two cards, and so on adding an additional row and an additional card per row until the seventh row has seven cards. Place the remaining deck face up to form the stock.

Pyramid Solitaire Card Values

King: 13
Queen: 12
Jack: 11
2-10: Face Value
Ace: 1

Game Play

Any uncovered card in the pyramid, the top card of the stock pile and the top card of the waste pile are available for play. To remove a card from the pyramid, it must be paired with another available card, and the two cards must have a combined value of 13. Kings are removed by themselves since they are worth 13. Cards removed in pairs, and kings removed by themselves, are removed from the game. When cards in the pyramid have no other cards on top of them, they are uncovered and available for play.

At any time, take the top card of the stock pile and use it to form or add to the waste pile, face up. There are two redeals. To redeal, when the stock is depleted, you may use the waste pile to form a new stock.

Game play continues until there are no more moves.

Valid Pairs

King (discarded alone)
Queen-Ace
Jack-2
10-3
9-4
8-5
7-6

To Win

To win pyramid solitaire, all cards must be removed from the pyramid. If the player depletes the stock twice, and runs out of moves before the pyramid is depleted, pyramid solitaire is lost.

Variants

There are typically two ways this game is played. The above rules are one common variation of pyramid solitaire. Another common variation of pyramid solitaire is to discard all cards from the deck in order to win. Meaning all cards in the pyramid, stock, and waste must be discarded from the game to win, with all other rules being the same.

Base Pyramid Solitaire is an easier variation of pyramid solitaire where you have access to a reserve.