Pyramid Solitaire

Pyramid Solitaire is the matching-pairs solitaire game where 28 cards are arranged in a triangular pyramid; you remove pairs of cards that sum to 13 (Ace=1, Jack=11, Queen=12, King=13 by itself). Trace the game’s origins to 19th-century European patience games; bundled with various Windows Solitaire collections; remains a popular mobile and browser variant. Easier than Klondike, with a unique scoring twist.

How to play

• Setup: 28 cards in a pyramid: 1 card at top, 2 at second row, 3 at third row, etc. up to 7 cards at the bottom row.
• Cards are only playable if no other cards rest on top of them (each card except those on the bottom row is partially covered by 2 cards).
• The remaining 24 cards form a stock pile.
• Goal: remove pairs of FREE cards that sum to 13:
  • Ace + Queen (1+12)
  • 2 + Jack (2+11)
  • 3 + 10
  • 4 + 9
  • 5 + 8
  • 6 + 7
  • King (13) removes by itself
• You can also draw from stock and try to match with FREE pyramid cards.
• Clear all 28 pyramid cards to win.

Beginner strategy

• Remove Kings immediately. Kings self-remove. Clear them first.
• Look for pyramid-pyramid pairs. Two free pyramid cards summing to 13 = remove both with one move.
• Save flexible cards. A 7 can pair with 6. A 6 can pair with 7. Save 6s and 7s for when needed.
• Don’t draw from stock greedily. Each stock draw locks in a new card; if no pyramid card pairs, the stock pile grows.
• Track buried pair partners. If a King is buried under 2 other cards, the path to remove it requires clearing those first.

Intermediate strategy

• Build a “removal plan” from the bottom. Pyramid cards expose new free cards. Plan which pair to remove next to expose deeper cards.
• Pair partners track. Each card type (A through K-1) has 4 copies. If you’ve matched 2 of the 4 Sevens, only 2 are left.
• Stock-to-pyramid matching. Often the best matches are stock + pyramid pairs (especially for low-value cards).
• Don’t bury Aces and Queens. Aces need Queens; Queens need Aces. If both are buried, the pair can’t form.
• Recognize unwinnable layouts. If the King at the top of the pyramid is buried, no progress is possible until cards below clear.

Advanced strategy

• Win rate math. Pyramid Solitaire has a ~35-50% win rate with good play — significantly lower than FreeCell’s 99%+.
• The “stock recycle” rule. Some versions allow you to cycle through the stock multiple times; others limit you to one pass.
• Memorize key sum-pair card placements. If 6s and 7s are buried near the top of the pyramid, you may need to clear lots of other pairs first.
• Speed solving. Top Pyramid Solitaire players clear winnable layouts in 30-60 seconds.

Pyramid Solitaire history

• 1800s — Pyramid: appears in patience books in 19th-century Europe.
• 1893 — Cadogan’s Patience Games book: describes Pyramid alongside Klondike.
• 1990s — Pyramid in Windows Solitaire collections.
• 2010s — mobile dominance: Pyramid Solitaire variants dominate mobile solitaire apps.
• Present: consistently popular sub-variant of solitaire family.

Why Pyramid is different

• Matching, not building. Unlike Klondike where you build sequences, Pyramid is purely pair-matching.
• Arithmetic-based. Add to 13 — simple math twist.
• Visible layout. Most cards visible from the start. Less hidden information.
• Lower win rate. ~35-50% vs Klondike’s ~33% and FreeCell’s 99%.
• Quick games. Typically 3-10 minutes per attempt.

Common mistakes

• Not removing Kings first. Kings self-remove and reveal what’s beneath.
• Burying pair partners. Don’t remove all Queens, leaving Aces with no pair.
• Drawing stock without plan. Each draw locks in a card.
• Ignoring pyramid topology. Cards near the top need cards below cleared first.

Variants

• Pyramid (this version). Standard 28-card triangle.
• Triangle / TriPeaks. Three connected peaks — different mechanic.
• Pyramid 13. Various size pyramids with sum-to-13 rule.
• Round-the-Clock. Pair-matching variant with different sum target.
• Pyramid Recycled. Multiple stock passes allowed.

FAQ

• Q: What sum makes 13? A: A+Q, 2+J, 3+10, 4+9, 5+8, 6+7. King alone = 13.
• Q: Are there always solvable hands? A: No — many Pyramid layouts are unwinnable from the start (buried partners).
• Q: Can I cycle through the stock? A: Depends on the version. Some allow multiple passes; this game’s stock cycles indefinitely.
• Q: Win rate? A: 35-50% with good play. Much lower than FreeCell.

For other solitaire variants, try Klondike Solitaire, FreeCell, Spider Solitaire, or Solitaire.