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Pyramid Solitaire

Pyramid Solitaire, like its cousin Klondike Solitaire offers a challenging yet rewarding single-player experience. It focuses on fast-paced matches, tasking you with the objective to dismantle the triangular ‘pyramid’ layout of cards. Here, we’ll break down the rules, explore essential strategies, and provide tips to help you consistently clear the pyramid and achieve higher scores

What is Pyramid Solitaire? The Basic Concept

Just like Klondike Solitaire, Pyramid Solitaire is played with a standard 52-card deck. As per Klondike, Pyramid Solitaire also shares features a Stockpile, from which the player draws cards from, and a Waste Pile for face-up cards waiting to be used. It gets its pyramid name from the way the cards are set up: 28 cards are dealt face-up in an overlapping pyramid shape, forming 7 rows. The remaining cards form the Stockpile and Waste Pile.

The objective is simple: remove all 52 cards from the pyramid and the reserve piles by pairing cards that add up to 13.

You win Pyramid Solitaire if you successfully remove all 28 cards from the pyramid structure. Any remaining cards in the Stockpile or Waste Pile don’t prevent a win, but you’ll get higher scores if you manage to clear them. You lose if some cards remain in the pyramid but you’re unable to make any matches and the Stock Pile has been exhausted.

The Cards and Their Values: The “13” Rule

Before playing Pyramid Solitaire , you need to first understand the card values, which we’ve listed below:

  • Ace (A): 1 point
  • 2 through 10: Face value (e.g., 7 is 7 points)
  • Jack (J): 11 points
  • Queen (Q): 12 points
  • King (K): 13 points (Can be removed on its own!)

How to Play Pyramid Solitaire: Step-by-Step Rules

Now, let’s dive into the set up.

1. Setup the Pyramid: Building Your Challenge

  1. Firstly, shuffle a standard 52-card deck.
  2. Deal cards face-up in a pyramid shape:
    • Row 1: 1 card
    • Row 2: 2 cards, overlapping the card(s) above
    • Row 3: 3 cards
    • …and so on, until
    • Row 7: 7 cards
    • Crucial Rule: Each card in a lower row must partially cover the two cards above it (e.g., the two cards in row 2 partially cover the single card in row 1). A card cannot be removed if it is covered by any part of another card.
  3. The remaining 24 cards must then be placed facedown to form the Stockpile (or Draw Pile).
  4. Leave space next to the Stockpile for the Waste Pile (or Discard Pile), which will start empty.

2. Making Matches: The Sum of 13

You can remove pairs of cards that add up to 13. The cards must be “free” (i.e., not covered by any other card in the pyramid) or from the Waste Pile/Stockpile. Here are the possible combinations:

  • King (K) - note these can be removed without needing a pair as they are worth 13 - a good first move if you spot one
  • Queen (Q) + Ace (A)
  • Jack (J) + 2
  • 10 + 3
  • 9 + 4
  • 8 + 5
  • 7 + 6

3. Where Can You Match Cards From?

You can make matches using cards from:

  • The Pyramid: Only free cards (those not covered by any part of another card in a lower row) can be used.
  • The Waste Pile: The topmost card of the Waste Pile is always available for matching.
  • The Stockpile: You can draw cards one at a time from the Stockpile to the Waste Pile. The card you just drew is immediately available for matching with a free pyramid card or the top of the Waste Pile. If you find yourself out of matches from the pyramid cards and Waste Pile, then draw the top card from the Stockpile.

4. Rules for Reuse of the Stockpile: Revolutions

  • Single Pass: While some variants offer multiple passes, the more common and challenging version gives you just one pass through the Stockpile. So, once it’s empty, you cannot reuse the Waste Pile

You win Pyramid Solitaire if you successfully remove all 28 cards from the pyramid structure. Any remaining cards in the Stockpile or Waste Pile don’t prevent a win, though clearing them usually leads to higher scores.

Best Pyramid Solitaire Strategies for Success

Just like with Klondike Solitaire, strategic thinking over impulsiveness will be your friend here.

1. Scan the playing area before making each move

Your primary objective is to clear the pyramid. While it’s tempting to make easy matches from the Waste Pile, quick-scan your options across the whole tableau before making the decision

2. Aim for the Lowest Cards in the Pyramid First: Unblocking Pathways

To access higher-up cards, you must remove the cards beneath them. Focus on clearing cards from the bottom rows (row 7, then 6, etc.) as this will free up the cards higher in the pyramid.

3. Kings are Gold: Remove Them Immediately

A King is a free 13 points, so if you see one, remove them immediately for a quick win.

4. Don’t Waste Pairs if They Don’t Help Uncover Cards

Try to avoid just pairing cards for the sake of it. As per our first tip, you need to play the objective and prioritize clearing the pyramid over the waste pile. This means a better play could be to hold on to these cards as they could come in handy unlocking more pyramid cards later in the game.

5. Utilize the Waste Pile Strategically: Your Buffer

Don’t let the name fool you. The Waste Pile is a valuable resource. Remember, the top card always available so lean into this when looking for potential matches as a first port of call. This will take pressure off your Stockpile, which will come in handy late game when options are limited.

6. Preserve Low-Value Cards (Aces, 2s, 3s) in the Waste Pile (Sometimes)

Common blockers in the pyramid tend to be Jacks, Queens, and 10s, which means that lower value cards can become extremely valuable unblocking tools. If you have an option to pair a high card from the Waste Pile with a pyramid card or the chance to pair a low-value card with a pyramid card, always opt for the former and preserve low lesser cards as best as you can.

If you’re a Solitaire fan, why not try out Spider FRVR another tough, fast-paced single-player FRVR card game.