How to Play Pyramid Solitaire – Rules & Strategy
Clear the pyramid by pairing cards that total 13. Learn rules, scoring, and pro tactics for high‑score runs.
Table of Contents
What Is Pyramid Solitaire?
Pyramid Solitaire replaces the suit‑sorting of Klondike with a quickfire math puzzle. Twenty‑eight cards form a pyramid—each card partly covers two beneath it. Remove exposed cards in pairs that total 13 (King = 13 leaves solo) until the structure crumbles. Stock and waste piles give you extra pairing options, but once your arithmetic runs dry, the round ends.
Because every card is face‑up, each deal is a transparent puzzle rather than a guess‑and‑flip gamble. The trick is deciding when to spend a useful card and which pair exposes the richest veins of hidden value.
Objective
Clear all 28 pyramid cards—plus any leftover stock—by forming 13‑point pairs before options disappear.
Victorious rounds award not only card points but also a hefty time bonus, so speed and foresight walk hand‑in‑hand.
Complete Rules for Pyramid Solitaire
Setup
- Deal cards in overlapping rows:
Pairing Rules
- Kings (value 13) leave instantly—no partner needed.
- All other exposed cards pair so that rank₁ + rank₂ = 13:
- Ace (1) ↔ Queen (12)
- 2 ↔ Jack (11)
- 3 ↔ 10 … 6 ↔ 7
Pairs may be:
- Pyramid ↔ Pyramid: two exposed cards within the layout.
- Pyramid ↔ Waste: one from pyramid, one current waste top.
Stock & Waste Mechanics
- When no pyramid move exists—or when tactically smart—click the stock to draw the next waste card (one‑pass deal, no redeals).
- The new waste top may pair with an exposed pyramid card.
- After stock empties, you limp on with remaining pyramid↔pyramid matches only.
Game End
- Win: All 28 pyramid cards cleared.
- Loss: No valid pair remains while cards persist in the pyramid.
Scoring System
1. Card Points
- Number cards (Ace–10): earn their face value (Ace = 1).
- Face cards (Jack, Queen, King): 10 pts each.
Clearing all 52 cards (pyramid + stock) yields 340 card points.
2. Time Bonus
- Awarded only for a complete clear.
- Finish ≤ 30 s: +325 pts.
- 30 s – 5 min: bonus declines linearly toward zero.
- > 5 min or incomplete board: 0 pts.
3. Perfect Score
- 665 pts = 340 card + 325 max time.
- Typical strong rounds land 250–450 depending on speed and leftover stock.
Strategy Guide
1. Clear from the Base Up
Removing low‑row cards frees two above, often generating chain reactions. A premature top‑row pair can strand deeper ranks.
2. Snap Up Kings Immediately
They block nothing and cost no partner—bank the free 10 pts and widen options.
3. Expose High‑Leverage Cards
Some ranks (e.g., 10s and 3s) pair with only one value. If their partner is buried, prioritise exposing it early.
4. Delay “Dual‑Value” Cards
Cards like 6s and 7s pair with multiple others. Keep them parked until you know which role maximises pyramid exposure.
5. Scan Before You Draw
Every stock flip changes the waste value, sometimes killing a critical future pair. Breadth‑first thinking—survey all current pyramid pairs—prevents hasty draws.
6. Think in Pair Chains
Visualise sequences such as:Q ↔ Ace → exposes J → pairs with 2 → opens 10 …
Mapping three‑step cascades is the key to high win rates.
7. Reserve Aces and Twos
Since they pair only with Q / J, burning them too soon risks orphaning their twins. Evaluate whether the alternate card (Q or J) is accessible first.
8. Stock‑Management Trick
If the waste top is dead but its partner sits exposed, flip one stock to fish for a match instead of burning multiple draws.
Advanced Play & Probabilities
| Metric | Average Player | Skilled Player |
|---|---|---|
| Win rate | 15 – 20 % | 40 – 50 % |
| Avg clear time (win) | ~3 min | 90 – 120 s |
| 500 pts+ rounds | < 3 % of wins | ~12 % of wins |
Dealing Odds
- Chance that pyramid has ≤ 4 Kings covered: ~66 %
- Chance top stock card pairs with any base card: ~31 %
“Double‑Lift” Concept
Sometimes two covered cards (e.g., 10 over 3) form a natural pair. Planning earlier moves to free them together creates a double‑lift, clearing two pyramid layers in one swoop.
Common Mistakes (and How to Dodge Them)
Ignoring the Waste Pair
Fix: Before every stock draw, scan if waste + exposed card = 13. It’s easy points and often reveals another match.Breaking a Chain for Quick Points
Fix: Ask, “Does this pair expose more or fewer new cards than the alternative?”Premature Stock Burn
Fix: Limit flips—each is one fewer rescue card later. Seasoned players average 6–8 draws per win.Forgetting Wrap Value of Kings
Fix: Kings are free real estate—clear them first thing; they open saplings of opportunity.
History & Trivia
- Pyramid debuted in 1930s American rule collections as Tut’s Tomb.
- Early computer ports (IBM DOS, 1985) popularised the single‑stock rule.
- Mathematics teachers use Pyramid as a fun drill for complements of 13.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pair two stock cards?
No. You may only pair pyramid↔pyramid or pyramid↔waste.
Is redeal ever allowed?
Not in the classic rule set or our web version—every stock flip counts.
What’s a “soft‑lock”?
A deal where moves exist but any pair you choose blocks the last Ace/Q combo. Recognising the inevitability can save time—restart and chase a new seed.
How do I push past a 20 % win rate?
Spend two weeks tracking your draws: if you’re flipping stock >10 times per loss, the issue is impatience. Work on deeper pyramid planning.
Ready to crack the pyramid?
▶ Play Pyramid Solitaire now—and see if you can engineer a 665‑point perfect round!