How to Play Pyramid Solitaire

Pyramid Solitaire is a card-pairing game where you remove exposed cards from a pyramid by matching pairs that sum to 13. It is a fun, quick game that combines luck with strategic decision-making. Also known as "Tut's Tomb," Pyramid offers a refreshingly different gameplay style compared to traditional building-type solitaire games.

Game Setup

1. 1Shuffle a standard 52-card deck.
2. 2Deal 28 cards face-up in a pyramid shape: 1 card in the first row, 2 in the second, up to 7 in the seventh row.
3. 3Each card in rows 1-6 is partially covered by two cards in the row below.
4. 4Place the remaining 24 cards face-down as the stock pile.
5. 5Leave space for a waste pile next to the stock.

Complete Rules

1. 1Remove pairs of exposed cards that add up to 13. Card values: Ace = 1, 2-10 = face value, Jack = 11, Queen = 12, King = 13.
2. 2Kings (value 13) are removed alone — just click or tap them.
3. 3Valid pairs: Queen (12) + Ace (1), Jack (11) + 2, 10 + 3, 9 + 4, 8 + 5, 7 + 6.
4. 4A pyramid card is "exposed" (playable) when neither of the two cards covering it in the row below remain.
5. 5Draw cards from the stock to the waste pile. The top waste card can be paired with any exposed pyramid card.
6. 6When the stock runs out, flip the waste pile over to recycle it (unlimited recycling).
7. 7Win by removing all 28 pyramid cards.
8. 8Cards in the bottom row (row 7) are always exposed from the start.
9. 9Two waste/stock cards cannot be paired with each other — at least one card must be from the pyramid.
10. 10The game is lost when no more valid pairings exist and the stock is exhausted.
11. 11Removing a card from the pyramid may expose one or two new cards in the row above.
12. 12You can pair the top waste card with an exposed pyramid card, or pair two exposed pyramid cards together.

Strategy Tips

• Always remove Kings immediately — they can only block other cards.
• Look for pairs using cards deep in the pyramid. Uncovering higher rows opens up more options.
• Pay attention to which cards are in the stock vs. the pyramid. If a card's only pairing partner is buried deep, plan accordingly.
• Sometimes it is better not to pair a waste card if it will be useful later for a different pairing.
• Focus on uncovering the top of the pyramid. If you cannot reach the apex card, you cannot win.
• Use stock recycling strategically. Each pass through the stock gives you another chance to find useful pairings.
• Look for chain reactions: removing one pair may expose cards that form another pair, then another.
• Count cards. If three of the four 7s are in the pyramid and one 6 is in the stock, that 6 is precious — do not waste it on the first available 7.
• When stuck, draw from the stock rather than making a pyramid pair that does not uncover useful cards.
• Prioritize removing cards that uncover two blocked cards above them rather than just one.

Advanced Strategy

• Map out the entire pyramid before making your first move. Identify which cards block the apex and plan a path to clear them.
• Track which pairing partners remain. If you need a 6 to remove a 7, and all four 6s are accounted for, that 7 must be paired differently or the game may be unwinnable.
• Use the waste pile as temporary storage. Sometimes drawing several stock cards before pairing lets you access better pairings later.
• In competitive play (daily challenges), speed matters less than clearing the full pyramid. Take your time to find the optimal removal order.
• Recognize unwinnable states early. If a critical card is permanently buried with no remaining partners available, the game cannot be won — start over.

Frequently Asked Questions

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