What Is Pyramid Solitaire?
Pyramid Solitaire (also known as Solitaire 13) is a card-pairing game where you remove cards from a pyramid-shaped layout by matching pairs that add up to 13. It dates back to the early 1900s and has been popularized through various digital versions.
The game is simple to learn but deceptively challenging — strict Pyramid Solitaire has one of the lowest win rates of any popular solitaire variant.
How to Play Pyramid Solitaire
Setup
- Pyramid: 28 cards arranged in 7 overlapping rows forming a pyramid. Row 1 (top) has 1 card; row 7 (bottom) has 7 cards. All cards are face-up.
- Stock: The remaining 24 cards, drawn one at a time.
- Waste: A face-up pile for used stock cards.
Card Values
| Card | Value |
|---|---|
| Ace | 1 |
| 2–10 | Face value |
| Jack | 11 |
| Queen | 12 |
| King | 13 (removed alone) |
Rules
- Remove pairs of exposed cards that add up to exactly 13.
- Kings are removed alone since their value is 13.
- A card is exposed when no cards overlap it from the row below.
- Draw from the stock to find matching cards if no moves exist in the pyramid.
- You can pair a pyramid card with another pyramid card, or a pyramid card with the top stock/waste card.
- You win when the entire pyramid is removed.
Common Pairs
- Ace (1) + Queen (12)
- 2 + Jack (11)
- 3 + 10
- 4 + 9
- 5 + 8
- 6 + 7
- King (13) — removed alone
Pyramid Solitaire Strategy
Tip 1: Remove Kings Immediately
Kings can always be removed for free since they equal 13 on their own. Remove them as soon as they are exposed.
Tip 2: Focus on the Top of the Pyramid
Cards near the top of the pyramid block the most columns below. Prioritize removing cards from the upper rows.
Tip 3: Keep the Pyramid Balanced
Avoid removing all cards from one side of the pyramid while leaving the other side stacked. A balanced approach gives you more pairing options.
Tip 4: Manage the Stock Carefully
You only cycle through the stock a limited number of times. Keep track of which cards have appeared and plan accordingly.
Tip 5: Count Cards
Keep a mental count of remaining cards of each value. If you notice that all cards of a particular value have been used, you know their pair is stranded.
Pyramid Solitaire Win Rate
Pyramid Solitaire has a notoriously low win rate under strict rules — only about 2% of games are winnable if you can only cycle through the stock once. With relaxed rules (multiple passes through the stock), the win rate increases to approximately 50%.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Pyramid Solitaire so hard to win?
The strict version limits you to one pass through the stock pile, and the overlapping pyramid structure means many cards are inaccessible until late in the game.
What is the difference between strict and relaxed Pyramid Solitaire?
In strict rules, you pass through the stock once. In relaxed rules, you can cycle through the stock multiple times, greatly increasing your chances of winning.
Can you match two cards from the stock/waste?
In most versions, no — at least one card in each pair must come from the pyramid.