What Is Pyramid Solitaire?
Pyramid Solitaire is a pairing-style solitaire card game in which you remove cards from a pyramid-shaped tableau by matching them into pairs that sum to 13. It has been a popular solitaire variant for decades and was introduced to a wide audience as part of Microsoft’s Solitaire Collection.
Unlike most solitaire games that involve building sequences, Pyramid Solitaire is purely about arithmetic pairing — find two exposed cards whose values add up to 13, and they’re both removed. Kings, valued at 13, are removed on their own. The combination of simple rules and challenging probability makes Pyramid Solitaire a compelling puzzle.
How to Set Up Pyramid Solitaire
The game uses a single standard 52-card deck arranged as follows:
- Build the pyramid. Deal 28 cards face-up in 7 rows, forming a triangle. Row 1 (the apex) has 1 card, row 2 has 2, row 3 has 3, and so on down to row 7, which has 7 cards. Each card partially overlaps two cards in the row below it.
- Create the stock. The remaining 24 cards form a face-down stock pile placed beside the pyramid.
- Start the waste pile. Leave space for a waste pile next to the stock. Cards drawn from the stock that are not immediately paired go here.
When the setup is complete, only the 7 cards in the bottom row of the pyramid are fully uncovered and available for play.
Card Values
Every card has a fixed numerical value used for pairing:
| Card | Value |
|---|---|
| Ace | 1 |
| 2–10 | Face value |
| Jack | 11 |
| Queen | 12 |
| King | 13 |
Rules of Pyramid Solitaire
Objective
Remove all 28 cards from the pyramid by pairing them into combinations that total 13.
Making Pairs
- Two uncovered pyramid cards whose values add up to 13 can be removed together.
- A pyramid card and the top card of the waste pile can be paired if they total 13.
- A pyramid card and a card drawn from the stock can be paired if they total 13.
- Kings (value 13) are removed by themselves — no partner needed.
A card is considered uncovered when no cards from the row below overlap it. As you remove cards, new cards in higher rows become uncovered and available.
The Stock and Waste Pile
- Draw one card at a time from the stock. If it pairs with an uncovered pyramid card, you may immediately remove both. Otherwise, place it on the waste pile.
- The top card of the waste pile is always available for pairing.
- Re-deals: In the standard (relaxed) version, once the stock is exhausted you may pick up the waste pile, turn it over, and go through it again. The number of re-deals allowed varies by rule set — typically one or two re-deals are permitted. In the strict version, there is no re-deal at all.
Common Pairs That Sum to 13
Memorising these pairs speeds up play considerably:
| Pair | Sum |
|---|---|
| Ace + Queen | 1 + 12 = 13 |
| 2 + Jack | 2 + 11 = 13 |
| 3 + 10 | 3 + 10 = 13 |
| 4 + 9 | 4 + 9 = 13 |
| 5 + 8 | 5 + 8 = 13 |
| 6 + 7 | 6 + 7 = 13 |
| King (alone) | 13 |
There are six two-card pairs plus the solo King — seven removal types in total.
Strategy Tips
1. Remove Kings Immediately
Kings don’t need a partner, so there’s never a reason to leave an uncovered King sitting in the pyramid. Remove them as soon as they’re exposed to open up more of the tableau.
2. Prioritise Cards That Uncover More of the Pyramid
When you have a choice between two valid pairs, prefer the one that uncovers cards higher up in the pyramid. Uncovering more cards creates more pairing opportunities for future turns.
3. Look for Matching Pairs Before Drawing
Before you draw from the stock, scan the entire pyramid and the top of the waste pile for available pairs. Drawing prematurely buries useful waste-pile cards and wastes re-deal opportunities.
4. Track Cards That Have Gone to the Waste Pile
Keep a rough mental note of which cards are in the waste pile, especially high-value cards like Queens and Jacks that pair with low cards (Aces and Twos). Knowing what’s coming on a re-deal helps you plan which pyramid cards to target.
5. Avoid Uncovering Cards You Can’t Pair
If uncovering a new row reveals cards whose partners have already been buried deep in the waste pile, you may want to delay that removal. Look ahead and make sure uncovered cards will actually be playable.
6. Clear Evenly Across the Pyramid
Removing cards from one side only leaves the other side of the pyramid locked up. Aim to reduce the pyramid symmetrically so you maintain the widest range of options.
7. Save Re-Deals for When They Matter
If your rule set allows re-deals, don’t burn through the stock carelessly on the first pass. Use the initial pass to make as many pyramid-to-pyramid and pyramid-to-waste pairs as possible, reserving the re-deal for targeted extractions.
Strict vs. Relaxed Rules
| Rule Variant | Stock Re-Deals | Approximate Win Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Strict (no re-deal) | 0 | ~2–5% |
| Standard (1 re-deal) | 1 | ~15–20% |
| Relaxed (2 re-deals) | 2 | ~30–40% |
The version you play has a dramatic impact on win rate. Strict Pyramid is extremely difficult and largely luck-dependent. Relaxed versions give the player significantly more control and more forgiving odds.
Win Rates
Pyramid Solitaire is one of the harder mainstream solitaire games. Even with optimal play:
- Strict rules: Only about 2–5% of deals are winnable.
- One re-deal: Around 15–20% of deals can be cleared.
- Two re-deals: Roughly 30–40% win rate.
The low win rate doesn’t mean the game is unfair — it means that deal selection and card distribution carry significant weight. Part of the game’s appeal is the challenge of beating the odds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pair two cards from the stock/waste pile without involving the pyramid?
In standard rules, no. At least one card in every pair must come from the pyramid (except for Kings, which are removed solo from wherever they appear). Some casual variants relax this restriction.
What if I can’t make any more pairs and still have cards in the pyramid?
If the stock is empty, you’ve used all your re-deals, and no valid pairs remain, the game is lost.
Does suit or colour matter in Pyramid Solitaire?
No. Only card rank (value) matters. Suit and colour are irrelevant.
Can I move cards within the pyramid?
No. Cards in the pyramid stay in their dealt positions. The only action is to remove a pair that sums to 13 or remove a lone King.
How long does a game of Pyramid Solitaire take?
Most games take 5 to 10 minutes. Wins can be quicker, while tough deals where you carefully manage re-deals may last a bit longer.
Is Pyramid Solitaire mostly luck or skill?
It leans more toward luck than games like FreeCell, especially under strict rules. However, choosing which pairs to make and when to draw involves real decision-making, so skill still matters — particularly with relaxed re-deal rules.
Pyramid Solitaire offers a distinctive arithmetic twist on the solitaire formula. Memorise your pairs, prioritise uncovering the upper rows, and manage the waste pile wisely — those fundamentals will give you the best chance of clearing the pyramid.