Pyramid Solitaire: Rules and How to Win

Pyramid Solitaire uses a single deck and a triangular layout. Cards are arranged in a pyramid of rows; you remove pairs that add up to 13. The goal is to clear the entire pyramid (and sometimes the stock as well, depending on the version). Here are the rules and how to improve your chances.

Layout

Deal 28 cards in a pyramid: one card on top, then two (overlapping the first), then three, four, five, six, and seven. Each card is partially covered by the two below it. Only fully uncovered cards can be played. The remaining 24 cards form the stock; you turn them one at a time (or three at a time in some variants) and use the top card with a pyramid card to make 13.

Pairs That Total 13

Face cards count as: King = 13 (removed alone), Queen = 12, Jack = 11. Number cards count as their face value. You remove pairs that add up to 13: for example, 6 and 7, 5 and 8, Queen and Ace. A King is removed by itself. Removed cards are discarded. You win when the pyramid is cleared; in some versions you must also clear the stock or go through it a limited number of times.

How to Win More Often

Uncover the lower rows first when you can—clearing the base of the pyramid frees more cards. Do not remove a pair if it blocks access to cards you need; sometimes it is better to wait and use the stock card with a different pyramid card. Kings are easy to remove (they go alone) but removing them early can leave other cards trapped. Think about which removal opens the most options for the next move. Pyramid has a lot of luck, but careful choices still improve your win rate.