Pyramid Solitaire

Pyramid Solitaire Rules & Strategy

Objective

The goal of Pyramid Solitaire is to clear all cards from the pyramid by pairing cards whose values sum to exactly 13.

Setup

Pyramid Solitaire uses a standard 52-card deck. Cards are arranged in a pyramid shape with 28 cards: 7 rows where each row has one more card than the previous row. Only uncovered cards (not blocked by other cards) can be played.

Card Values

• Ace: 1 point
• 2-10: Face value
• Jack: 11 points
• Queen: 12 points
• King: 13 points (removes immediately)

How to Play

• Pairing: Select two uncovered cards that sum to 13
• Kings: Kings can be removed by themselves (13 points)
• Waste Pile: Remaining cards form a waste pile for pairing
• Winning: Clear the entire pyramid to win

Winning Strategy

• Kings First: Always remove Kings immediately
• Plan Pairs: Think about which pairs will open up the most cards
• Waste Management: Use waste pile cards strategically
• Multiple Paths: Look for alternative pairing options
• Uncover Cards: Prioritize moves that reveal blocked cards

History

Pyramid Solitaire has ancient Egyptian themes and is one of the most popular solitaire variants. The pyramid shape represents the great pyramids of Egypt, and the number 13 was considered significant in ancient Egyptian mythology.