HOW TO PLAY
Pyramid Solitaire Rules
Remove exposed Kings or pairs of exposed cards whose ranks total 13. Clear the pyramid to win.
How Pyramid is laid out
Twenty-eight cards are dealt face up in a pyramid of seven rows, from one card at the top to seven at the bottom. The remaining 24 cards form the stock. A card is exposed when neither of the two cards that overlap it from the row below is still in play, so only the bottom row is available at the start.
Card values and pairs
Number cards count at face value, Aces count as 1, Jacks 11, Queens 12 and Kings 13. Pairs that make 13 are:
- Ace + Queen
- 2 + Jack
- 3 + 10
- 4 + 9
- 5 + 8
- 6 + 7
- a King on its own
Pyramid tips
- Before removing a pair, check which cards it uncovers. Prefer pairs that open up two new cards.
- Work on both sides of the pyramid rather than clearing one edge, so no single card ends up blocking everything above it.
- Watch for pairs that need the same card. If two 6s are waiting for one 7, decide which removal helps most.
- Clear Kings as soon as they are exposed. They never need a partner.
Learn the game
Read our Solitaire rules, tips and strategy guide.