About Pyramid Solitaire
Pyramid Solitaire is a single-player card game where players clear a pyramid of cards by carefully planning moves to match pairs that add up to 13.
The pyramid has seven rows, with lower cards covering some of the cards above them. At the bottom, I also have a stock pile for drawing cards, a waste pile for turned-over cards, and a foundation pile for removed cards. I must clear the pyramid and work through the available cards without running out of useful moves.
How to play
The main rule in Pyramid Solitaire is to combine two available cards whose values total thirteen. For example, an eight pairs with a five, while a queen pairs with an ace. Number cards use their printed values; a jack counts as eleven, a queen as twelve, and a king as thirteen.
Combine two available cards whose values total thirteen
I can match exposed cards within the pyramid or pair an exposed pyramid card with the top card of the waste pile. If I cannot find a useful combination, I draw from the stock pile to reveal another card. The new card goes to the waste pile, where only its top card is available for matching.
This reminds me a little of Block Blast, Blocksss, and 1010+ Block Puzzle because I need to recognize useful patterns and consider how each move affects my next options. The difference is that Pyramid Solitaire depends on card values and which cards are exposed.
Rules in Pyramid Solitaire
A few rules can make a big difference in how I approach each round:
- Remove kings on their own. Since a king is worth thirteen, it does not need another card to complete a pair.
- Play only exposed cards. If another card still covers part of a card in the pyramid, I must uncover it before using it.
- Keep track of the stock pile. In this version, I can cycle through the stock pile up to three times, so I avoid wasting those passes.
- Remember that removed cards are gone. Once a match goes to the foundation, I cannot use either card again.
FAQs
What cards can I pair together in Pyramid Solitaire?
Any two available cards that add up to thirteen can be matched. For example, a seven pairs with a six, and a ten pairs with a three.
Can I remove a king without a pair?
Yes. A king is worth thirteen, so I can remove it by itself whenever it is available.
How many times can I go through the stock pile?
In the version described here, I can cycle through the stockpile up to three times. Other versions may use different rules.
