Pyramid solitaire is a pairing game, not a build-down tableau game. Twenty-eight cards form a pyramid; you remove pairs of available cards that add up to thirteen, or lone kings.
The stock and waste give extra options when the pyramid stalls, but you cannot move cards between pyramid positions — only remove them when free.
How to play Pyramid Solitaire
- Available cards: not covered by any card below them in the pyramid, plus the top waste card.
- Pairs that sum to 13 are removed (ace + queen, two + jack, etc.). Kings count as 13 and clear alone.
- Click the stock to flip the next waste card when no pyramid pair exists.
- You win when every pyramid card is cleared. You lose when the stock is exhausted and no pairs remain.
Strategy tips
- Kings are free points — take them immediately so they stop blocking cards underneath.
- Before pairing, ask whether either card is the only way to free a buried card you will need later.
- Queens and aces are scarce; do not spend your only ace on a queen if another pair is available.
- Work from the bottom row of the pyramid upward when you have choices — lower cards unlock more above them.
- If two pairs are possible, prefer the pair that exposes a new card on a tall stack over a pair at the edge.
Common questions
Does every pyramid deal have a solution?
No. Some shuffles are unwinnable regardless of play order. Pyramid is shorter than Klondike — replaying a new deal is normal.
