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 is to remove all cards from the pyramid in pairs that have a combined value of 13.

Setup

Deal seven rows in the shape of a pyramid, with each row having one more card than the previous row and slightly overlapping the row above it. Deal one card to the top row, two cards to the second row, and so on 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

When a card in the pyramid has no other cards on top of it, it is considered uncovered. All uncovered cards in the pyramid, the top card of the stock, 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. Aces are worth 1, jacks are worth 11, and queens are worth 12. Kings are removed by themselves since they are worth 13. Cards removed in pairs, and kings removed by themselves, are removed from the game. For example, since the 8 of hearts and the 5 of spades have a combined value of 13, these two cards can be discarded from the game as a pair. This would uncover the king of clubs, which may then be discarded from the game on its own.

When there are no more available cards to be discarded, use the top card of the stock to form or add to the waste pile. When the stock is depleted, you may redeal. To redeal, use the waste pile as a new stock. You may redeal twice per game. After the stock is depleted a third time and there are no more moves, the game is over.

Valid Pairs

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

To Win

Pyramid is won if all cards are removed from the pyramid. If there are no more moves after the stock is depleted three times and there are still cards in the pyramid, the game is lost.

Variants

There are many ways Pyramid is played. The above rules are one common variation of Pyramid. Another common variation of Pyramid is to discard all cards from the pyramid, stock, and waste pile in pairs 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.