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Playing cards setup for pyramid solitaire over red felt

How to Play

Pyramid

Solitaire

Here's an illustrated guide to playing Pyramid Solitaire

What is Pyramid Solitaire?

Pyramid Solitaire is a card game that presents a unique challenge different from traditional solitaire variants. In this game, the cards are arranged in a pyramid-like formation, creating a visually appealing layout. The objective is to pair cards that add up to 13, systematically dismantling the pyramid from the bottom up. With its blend of strategic decision-making and a bit of luck, Pyramid Solitaire requires players to carefully plan their moves. As players navigate through the deck and the pyramid, they aim to clear all the cards, making it a satisfying and mentally stimulating experience.

Pyramid Solitaire Setup

Setting up Pyramid Solitaire is straightforward and quick. Begin by thoroughly shuffling a standard deck of cards. Lay the deck face down as your starting point. Draw the top card from this deck and place it face-up on the table; this card forms the apex of your pyramid.

Continue by placing two additional cards face up, positioning them beneath the apex card, forming the pyramid's second row. Progress by adding successive rows, each with one more card than the last, until you complete the seventh row, which should have seven cards. This layout completes your pyramid structure.

 

The cards left in the deck after building the pyramid become your stockpile, available for use when you need more options for play.

The following illustration is what you should have, albeit with unique card combinations.

Terminology for pyramid solitaire like tableau foundation / discard pile and the stock and waste piles
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Making a pair of cards in the tableau that equal 13

The goal of Pyramid Solitaire is to remove all the cards from the pyramid by pairing them in a way that their total equals 13. Here’s how you can play:

Pyramid Solitaire Gameplay

If you cannot make any more pairs with the available cards in the pyramid, turn over the top card from the stockpile. This card can be paired with an exposed card in the pyramid if their sum equals 13.

pulling from the stock pile en no moves can be made in the tableau

Understanding Card Values

Pairing Cards

Look for pairs of cards within the pyramid that add up to 13. You can only pair cards that are fully exposed, meaning no other cards are lying on top of them. In the example below, you see an 8 and a 5 that are both fully exposed, you can remove them from the pyramid and place them into the foundation/discard pile. Since Kings are worth 13 you can also remove that card to the foundation.

Using the Stockpile

In Pyramid Solitaire, the card values are as follows: Aces count as 1, numbered cards as their face value, Jacks as 11, Queens as 12, and Kings count as 13. Since Kings reach the required 13 on their own, they can be removed from the pyramid individually.

Recycling the Stockpile

In some versions of Pyramid Solitaire, you can go through the stockpile more than once. Check the rules of the version you are playing to see if this is allowed and how many times you can recycle the stockpile.

Keep pairing cards and using the stockpile until either all cards are cleared (which means you win), or no more pairs can be made (which would end the game).

Continuing Play

Pyramid Solitaire has several variants, each adding a unique twist to the basic gameplay. Here are some of the notable variations:

  • Relaxed Pyramid Solitaire: In this variant, players can remove cards that are partially covered by other cards, not just the fully exposed ones. This rule makes the game slightly easier and allows for more potential moves.

  • Pyramid Golf Solitaire: Similar to the classic Pyramid, but in this variant, the player can also pair up cards from the stockpile or discard pile with cards in the pyramid. The goal is to clear the pyramid with the fewest moves.

  • Pyramid's Scarabs: This version introduces special cards, known as scarabs, which can be used to remove any single card from the pyramid, adding a strategic element to the game.

  • Tut's Tomb: This is a more challenging version of Pyramid Solitaire, typically played with two decks of cards. The pyramid is larger, making the game more complex.

  • Cheops Solitaire: A twist on traditional Pyramid Solitaire, where the objective shifts to removing pairs of cards that have consecutive ranks, as opposed to the usual pairing of cards that total 13.

  • Pyramid Spider Solitaire: Combining elements of Pyramid and Spider Solitaire, this variant challenges players to create sequences of cards in a column from King to Ace to remove them from the game, in addition to the standard pairing of cards to equal 13.

  • Triangle: An inverted pyramid with re-deals allowed and a further 7 additional cards in reserve.

  • Apophis Solitaire: modifies the classic Pyramid setup by featuring three waste piles instead of just one. This variation provides players with increased opportunities to pair cards, as they can match cards from any of these waste piles with the exposed cards in the pyramid.

  • Tri-Peaks Pyramid Solitaire: Tri-Peaks involves three pyramids that players must clear. It's a faster-paced game and requires players to plan several moves ahead.

Each variant offers a different level of challenge and strategy, making Pyramid Solitaire a versatile and engaging game for a variety of players.

Pyramid Variants

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Blockers are any cards or card formations that seriously impede your ability to win or make the game unwinnable. For example, a seven surrounded by all four sixes means the game is immediately unwinnable. Kings also act as blockers, so remove these as soon as you expose them. Many versions of online solitaire highlight blockers and filter out any unwinnable games to save you time and hassle.

Tips & Tricks

Identify Blockers

In Pyramid Solitaire, Kings hold a value of 13 on their own, meaning they can be removed without needing to pair with another card. Whenever a King appears, it's advisable to play it right away, regardless of its position. While Kings can be advantageous as standalone cards, they can also obstruct your path to winning if left unattended.

Remove Kings Quickly

In Pyramid Solitaire, the game permits players to cycle through their deck and waste piles up to three times. As the order of cards remains consistent during these cycles, it's possible to memorize the locations of specific cards for strategic pairing later in the game.

Postponing the matching of cards from these piles until later in the gameplay increases your chances of effectively clearing a larger portion of the pyramid first.

Hold Off Matching Cards Between the 2 Piles

In Pyramid Solitaire, when a needed card appears from the deck, first move it to the discard pile. This strategy allows you to not only make the desired play from the discard pile but also uncover a new card from the deck's top. This approach provides you with extra information and potential moves to consider.

In Pyramid Solitaire, postponing certain moves to gain a fuller understanding of the cards in your stock and waste piles can unveil more opportunities. While it's important not to overlook a needed card, allowing yourself time to gather more information before pairing cards can enhance your ability to adjust to the evolving game dynamics.

Prioritize the Discard Pile

Aim for a uniform approach in dismantling the pyramid in Pyramid Solitaire, targeting both sides equally. Focusing on only one side can leave you reliant on luck to draw the precise sequence of cards needed to clear up to seven rows on the remaining side for a win.

Gather Additional Insights

Balance Removals

Pyramid Solitaire is a unique variant and scoring can also be unique depending on the version you are playing. While typically centered around digital versions, even some versions don't score at all and are rather just win or lose. 

 

See each version's scoring system independently.  

Scoring

The odds of winning Pyramid Solitaire vary significantly based on the player's strategy and, to some extent, the luck of the draw. Generally, the win rate for Pyramid Solitaire is considered to be on the lower side, with average players experiencing a success rate of about 5-10%. This is primarily due to the game's reliance on not only strategic card removal but also on getting a favorable arrangement of cards. Skilled players who excel in planning moves ahead and optimizing their card plays can slightly improve these odds. However, due to the nature of the game and its dependence on the initial deal, even the best strategies cannot guarantee a win, making Pyramid Solitaire a challenging and engaging solitaire variant.

Odds of Winning

In Pyramid Solitaire, the game setup comprises 28 cards. The structure is formed with seven rows, starting with a base row of seven cards. Progressing upward in the pyramid, each subsequent row contains one fewer card than the one below it, culminating in a single card at the topmost point of the pyramid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Invented Pyramid Solitaire?

How Many Times Can you Cycle Through the Waste Pile?

In Pyramid Solitaire, you have the option to cycle through the waste pile and the deck up to three times. Once you've been through the waste pile three times, the game is considered lost.

Why Add Up to 13 Points?

In a standard 52-card deck, each suit comprises 13 cards. Assigning specific values to the face cards – Jacks, Queens, and Kings – is essential for the gameplay to function effectively.

How Many Cards Are Used in Pyramid Solitaire?

The history of Pyramid Solitaire is shrouded in mystery, much like the origins of many other solitaire games. It is believed to have been invented in the 18th century, but the exact date and creator are unknown. Some sources attribute its creation to the French nobility, while others suggest it may have been invented by a German mathematician named J.C. Wiegleb.

 

Pyramid Solitaire gained popularity in the 19th century, with variations of the game appearing in various countries. The game became even more well-known in the 20th century, thanks to the inclusion of a version in Microsoft's Windows 3.0 in 1990.

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