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Pyramid Solitaire game info

  • Family: Adding & Pairing Solitaire Games
  • Decks: One deck (52 cards)
  • Game time: Short
  • Chance of winning: Medium

How to play Pyramid Solitaire

Table of contents

Goal

In our classic version of Pyramid Solitaire you must try to win as many rounds as you can by getting rid of all the cards in the layout in the top half of the screen. Cards are removed by selecting pairs that when added up come to 13.

Setting up Pyramid Solitaire

Pyramid Solitaire is played with a deck of 52 cards (with no jokers). You must deal a pyramid that is seven cards high that descends to be seven cards wide. A total of 28 cards are dealt to this pyramid, all face up. With the remaining 24 cards you can start the game with three cards turned over in separate columns.

Classic vs modern rules

There are two types of pyramid solitaire, Classic and Modern. They both share the majority of rules, but the modern game (the one we have on our website) is easier and considered by many to be much more fun! The idea of the game is to remove all the cards from the pyramid, although some purists may argue that all cards including the cards you can deal for yourself should be removed. We consider that a solitaire folly, but what the hey, play which ever version floats your boat!

Shared rules

  • Cards can only be removed if they are completely exposed with no overlapping cards.
  • Pairs of cards that add up to 13 can only be removed together. For example an Ace and a Queen (a Queen is equal to 12), a two and a Jack (a Jack is equal to 11), a three and a ten, and so on.
  • A King can be removed on its own, as it equals 13.
  • You can deal 3 cards out, under the pyramid each time you are stuck.

At this point the rules of games diverge.

Classic rules

  • Once you deal out the remaining cards until they run out, they can be combined (without shuffling) 3 times and then redealt. If you are looking for a particularly difficult to complete version, then you can see if you can win using only one deal.
  • Can be played by either aiming to remove the pyramid on its own, or trying to remove every single card in the deck.

Modern rules

  • The goal is to remove the pyramid only, but for an extra challenge try to remove all the cards that are dealt in groups of 3 as well.
  • You can only deal out the cards at the bottom once.
  • However to make the game a better test of logic and planning, this version introduces the idea of a temporary card store. You may take one immediately accessible card from either pyramid or the 3 card deal at the bottom, letting it free up a card below. You can then use this card at any point, however the "temporary card store" can only hold one card, so the card in the store must be used before you can place another card in the "temporary card store".

Allowable moves

All numbered cards have their face value. As you might expect Jacks have a value of 11, Queens = 12, Kings = 13 (and can be removed on their own) and Aces = 1. Removable pairs include Queen and Ace, Jack and 2, 10 and 3, and so on.

The Temp Card Store in the bottom left of the game screen can hold one card. Use this area to open up cards further back in the pyramid. Simply select the card you want to move and then select the Temp Card Store to activate it.

The undo button will undo any single move that you are unhappy with.

Scoring

You score more points when you play a whole round well and for matching pairs. Each pair of cards matched together is worth 500 points. When you complete a round there are several score bonuses you can pick up!

You can get an additional time bonus that ticks down while you play, a bonus for removing all the pyramid itself, a bonus for removing all the cards including the deck cards, and finally a bonus for how many rounds you have completed so far.

Strategy (How to win Pyramid Solitaire)

We all want to be winners, so let's see what tips and tricks will let you do that in Pyramid Solitaire!

  • See if the game is worth playing: If for example all the 6s are at the top of the pyramid, with all the sevens below it will be impossible to win the game. In the modern version of the rules with the temporary card store, there are far fewer obvious blocking conditions than when using the classic rules.
  • Remove Kings immediately: Always remove the Kings immediately. There is no reason to keep them in the pyramid or waste piles and removing them will earn you 500 points.
  • Plan ahead: Look at the pyramid before starting to play and identify which cards are blocking other cards. So ideally each move frees up a card below that you can immediately use. The modern variation favours more planning and logic, than the classic variation which is much more based on luck.
  • Play cards in the middle of the pyramid: If you can choose, it can be beneficial to play cards in the middle of the pyramid because they cover two other cards, while cards at the edges of the pyramid only cover one other card.
  • Keep the pyramid balanced: If you have the choice, remove cards from the pyramid so that its both sides remain balanced in terms of height.
  • Avoid pairing two cards in the waste piles: Pairing two cards that are in the waste piles does not really help you progress towards clearing the pyramid, except in some cases.
  • Use your memory: Try to remember which cards have already been played, so you know whether the card you need is still in the stock or not.
  • Use the temporary card storage: Make sure to use the temporary card storage as it will allow you to reach cards that can otherwise not be reached. The temporary card storage acts like a cell in FreeCell, so it can only hold one card at a time. Keep this in mind and use the temporary card storage strategically.
  • Use the undo button: Feel free to use the undo button if you are not happy with your move or if you want to have a look at which cards will be dealt from the stock. Note that using the undo button does not impact your score.

If you don’t target the score bonus for removing all deck cards, then removing cards in the pyramid is almost always preferable. But if you are playing to remove every single card, including the deck cards, it is often necessary to take the effort to split the removal of cards from the lower 3 card deal, while looking at the pyramid to avoid the blocking conditions mentioned previously.

History

There is no factual information about when Pyramid Solitaire was first invented, but it might have been as early as the 18th century. The game gained in popularity by being included in the Microsoft Entertainment Pack in 1990, although under a different name (Tut's Tomb). This name was a reference to the tomb of the famous Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun.

Variants

FAQ

How do you play Pyramid Solitaire?

Remove cards in the pyramid by pairing cards of which the ranks add up to 13. If you get stuck, turn the stock to reveal new cards. The game is won when all cards in the pyramid are removed.

How to win Pyramid Solitaire?

You can increase your chances of winning at Pyramid Solitaire by following some strategy rules. Look at the pyramid before playing and plan your moves ahead. Always remove Kings immediately. If you have the choice, play cards in the middle of the pyramid and keep the pyramid balanced in height. Try to remember which cards have been played. Use the undo button and temporary card storage to your advantage.

What is an Ace worth in pyramid solitaire?

An Ace is worth 1 in pyramid solitaire. To remove an Ace, you need to pair it with a Queen, which is worth 12. A Jack is worth 11 and has to be paired with a Two.

Is every game of Pyramid Solitaire winnable?

No, not every game of Pyramid Solitaire is winnable. The easiest way to prove this is to give an example of an unwinnable deal. Imagine a deal with an Ace on the lowest row of the pyramid and all four Queens in the higher rows, blocked by this Ace. There is no way to remove this Ace, so the deal is not solvable.

Can I switch off hints?

Yes, you can switch off hints. Go to the options menu via the main menu or via the pause menu and uncheck Auto hint.

More info

System requirements

Pyramid Solitaire can be played in all modern browsers, on all device types (desktop, tablet, mobile), and on all operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, ...).

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