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.
About Pyramid Solitaire
Pyramid Solitaire is a unique matching game that trades the familiar stacking and sequencing of other solitaire variants for a number-pairing mechanic centered around the number 13. Twenty-eight cards are dealt in a seven-row pyramid, with each row overlapping the one above it, creating an elegant triangular layout that gives the game its name.
The rules are refreshingly simple: remove pairs of exposed cards that add up to 13. Aces are worth 1, number cards their face value, Jacks 11, Queens 12, and Kings — worth 13 — are removed on their own. A card is "exposed" only when both cards below it have been removed, so planning your removals carefully from the bottom of the pyramid upward is essential. The remaining 24 cards form a stock pile you can draw from when no pyramid matches are available.
Do not let the simple rules fool you — Pyramid Solitaire is one of the hardest solitaire variants to win. Studies show only about 2-5% of random deals are winnable, making every successful clear of the pyramid a genuine achievement. The combination of simple mechanics and brutal difficulty has made Pyramid a favorite among solitaire enthusiasts looking for a fast but challenging game.
1Game Setup
- 1Shuffle a standard 52-card deck.
- 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.
- 3Each card in rows 1-6 is partially covered by two cards in the row below.
- 4Place the remaining 24 cards face-down as the stock pile.
- 5Leave space for a waste pile next to the stock.
2Rules
- 1Remove pairs of exposed cards that add up to 13. Card values: Ace = 1, 2-10 = face value, Jack = 11, Queen = 12, King = 13.
- 2Kings (value 13) are removed alone — just click or tap them.
- 3Valid pairs: Queen (12) + Ace (1), Jack (11) + 2, 10 + 3, 9 + 4, 8 + 5, 7 + 6.
- 4A pyramid card is "exposed" (playable) when neither of the two cards covering it in the row below remain.
- 5Draw cards from the stock to the waste pile. The top waste card can be paired with any exposed pyramid card.
- 6When the stock runs out, flip the waste pile over to recycle it (unlimited recycling).
- 7Win by removing all 28 pyramid cards.
- 8Cards in the bottom row (row 7) are always exposed from the start.
- 9Two waste/stock cards cannot be paired with each other — at least one card must be from the pyramid.
- 10The game is lost when no more valid pairings exist and the stock is exhausted.
- 11Removing a card from the pyramid may expose one or two new cards in the row above.
- 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.
?Frequently Asked Questions
What cards add up to 13 in Pyramid Solitaire?
King (13) alone, Queen (12) + Ace (1), Jack (11) + 2, 10 + 3, 9 + 4, 8 + 5, 7 + 6.
What is the win rate for Pyramid Solitaire?
Pyramid Solitaire has a relatively low win rate — roughly 1 in 50 deals are winnable (about 2%). The game depends heavily on the initial card layout.
When is a card exposed in Pyramid Solitaire?
A card is exposed (playable) when both cards that overlap it in the row below have been removed. Cards in the bottom row (row 7) are always exposed.
What are the card values in Pyramid Solitaire?
Ace = 1, 2 through 10 = face value, Jack = 11, Queen = 12, King = 13. Pairs must add up to exactly 13.
Can I pair two stock/waste cards together?
No. At least one card in each pair must come from the pyramid. You cannot pair two waste pile cards together.
How many times can I cycle through the stock?
In our version, there is no limit on stock recycling. When the stock is empty, the waste pile is flipped to form a new stock.
What is the best strategy for Pyramid Solitaire?
Remove Kings immediately, focus on uncovering the apex card, count remaining pairing partners, and look for chain reactions where removing one pair exposes cards for the next pair.
Is Pyramid Solitaire the same as TriPeaks?
No. Pyramid uses 28 cards in a triangular pyramid and removes pairs summing to 13. TriPeaks uses 28 cards in three overlapping peaks and plays cards one rank up or down.