DECEMBER 2024

Play Pyramid Solitaire Online and Enjoy the Calm Game in 2024

Play Pyramid Solitaire Online  and challenge yourself and your mind.

Playing Pyramid Solitaire Online

Written by: Elizabeth Miller | Last updated: 02 September 2024 | Fact check by : Robert Moore

TRUSTED EXPERT TRUSTED EXPERT
Elizabeth's mastery of Solitaire, cultivated through three decades of play and rigorous study, has positioned her as an innovative and highly respected expert, trusted by enthusiasts and novices alike. About Elizabeth Miller

Pyramid Solitaire is an easy Solitaire variant where you will try to match pairs of cards that add up to 13. The values of the cards are pretty obvious, and the rules are very easy to understand. Even if you haven’t played any other variant of Solitaire, you can play this one. Just read this guide till the end, and you will be able to get your first win soon.

From its earliest origin as "Tut's Tomb" to its contemporary design today, the game promises to offer you an exciting and challenging experience. Once you get the hang of it, you will be able to remove cards pretty quickly and finish a game in under 5 minutes.

Read this article to learn more about the rules and strategies behind Pyramid Solitaire, track your performance with leader-board rankings, win, and discover tips to help you win every round.

Short Summary

  • Pyramid Solitaire is a card game in which you match cards that add up to 13.

  • Strategies for winning include removing Kings quickly, maintaining an even pyramid structure, and utilizing the stockpile sparingly.

  • Solitairea.com offers time and moves tracking, variations of the game, and all-time top scores for you to enjoy.

What is Pyramid Solitaire?

Pyramid Solitaire is a card game that uses a standard 52-card deck consisting of four cards of each value. The cards are dealt on the tableau in a pyramidal formation. You'll find 28 cards arranged in separate columns in the tableau, and the remaining cards form the stockpile.

If you want to play at home, arrange the cards so that each row has cards equal to its number. Simply put, the first row will have one card, the second row will have 2, and so on. Finally, the last row will be the seventh row with 7 cards.

You must remove pairs of cards that add up to 13 from the pyramid until all the cards in the pyramid are gone. All numbered cards are worth their numerical value, with face cards valued between 11 to 13, and Aces valued at 1. To be exact, the values of a Jack, Queen, and King are 11, 12, and 13, respectively. You can use the stock to draw additional cards if you can't find a combination to remove cards from the pyramid.

The aim of the game is to remove all cards from the pyramid, and the game ends as soon as you do that. Pyramid Solitaire offers an exciting challenge as you strategically remove cards and clear the pyramid.

Tips for Beginners

Image showing how to set up the game

Image showing how to set up the game

Starting your journey with Pyramid Solitaire can be an exciting experience. To help you become familiar with the game and improve your skills, we've compiled a list of beginner tips:

  1. Understand the rules: Before diving into the game, ensure you have a solid understanding of the basic rules and objectives of Pyramid Solitaire.

  2. Practice: The more you play, the more familiar you'll become with card combinations and strategies, improving your overall performance.

  3. Be patient: As a beginner, it's essential to take your time and carefully consider each move before deciding.

  4. Plan: Visualize the pyramid's layout and anticipate which cards will be exposed after making specific moves, as this can help you make better decisions.

How to Play Pyramid Solitaire

In Pyramid Solitaire, Kings can be moved directly to the foundation.

In Pyramid Solitaire, Kings can be moved directly to the foundation.

Pyramid Solitaire is all about pairing cards that always add up to 13. Look at all the cards in the pyramid's bottom row to start the game. Determine if the values of any two cards can add up to 13. If so, remove these cards from the tableau and place them in the foundation to remove them from play.

Kings are assigned a numerical value of 13, so they can be removed as soon as they become exposed. Cards eligible for matching are cards on the pyramid not obscured by other cards and the top card on the waste pile.

Cards needs to add up to 13 to be moved to the foundation

Cards needs to add up to 13 to be moved to the foundation

Successful completion of the game is achieved when three end conditions are fulfilled: clearing the pyramid, waste pile, and stockpile onto the foundation. Once any two cards have been conveyed to the foundation, they are no longer available for use in the game.

Once you clear all of the cards in the pyramid, you will win automatically. So winning is easy if you focus on the pyramid and keep pairing the correct cards. If you find yourself in a situation where there are no more moves, you can use the undo button to go back and fix mistakes.

Strategy to Win Pyramid Solitaire Games

Learn the Pyramid solitaire rules before developing you strategies for winning.

Learn the Pyramid solitaire rules before developing you strategies for winning.

Following are the tips that will help you improve your strategy and match pairs of cards easily:

  • In the beginning, you can only make pairs from the cards at the bottom. So focus on the exposed cards and try to make as many pairs as you can without drawing from the stockpile.
  • If you have multiple options for pairing cards, look at the cards that will be exposed after your move and choose the pair that exposes more beneficial cards.
  • Use the stockpile carefully and only draw cards from it when no moves are available in the tableau.
  • Kings are the only cards that can be sent to the foundation independently, so removing them from play as quickly as possible is essential to create more available moves.
  • Always try to make pairs in a manner that removes cards evenly from the pyramid. You don’t want to end up with only one side of the pyramid remaining and no more viable moves.

Time and Moves Tracking

The game records the moves made during play and summarizes the total number of moves after the game. Time measurement in Pyramid Solitaire can be achieved through various means, such as timed mode and tracking the elapsed time from the start of the game until its end.

Specific game versions feature a timed mode where you are allotted a specific duration to complete the game. You can challenge yourself by attempting to surpass your previous scores regarding moves and the time taken to complete the game each time you play.

Try to only make moves in the pyramid without drawing from the stock, and check if any pairs can be made in the pyramid when new cards are exposed. This way, you can save time and also win in a limited number of moves.

Variations of Pyramid Solitaire

Following are the popular variations of Pyramid Solitaire you should try:

  • Tut’s Tomb: You will draw 3 cards at a time in this version, and the best part is that you can go through the stock as many times as you want.
  • Relaxed Pyramid: It is an easier version of Pyramid Solitaire, where you only need to transfer the cards in the pyramids to the foundation piles to win. There is no need to worry about the cards in the stock or waste.
  • Giza: In this one, all the cards that should be in stock are arranged in 8 columns, with 3 cards in each. You can use the top card of the columns to make pairs and win the game.
  • Triangle: Triangle Solitaire features an inverted pyramid-shaped arrangement of cards. It has 2 waste piles, and the remaining rules are the same.
  • Apophis Solitaire: This one is quite similar to the regular version, with the only difference being three waste piles instead of just one.

All-Time Top Scores in Pyramid Games

The best score you can achieve in Pyramid Solitaire is 0, which occurs when all cards are successfully removed from the board. Regrettably, there are no official records of the all-time top scores.

However, Solitairea.com displays the top scores for Pyramid Solitaire every 10 minutes, allowing you to track your own score in progress and potentially break the bottom row record.

For Pyramid Solitaire enthusiasts like you, striving for the highest score possible by removing all the cards from the board presents an exhilarating challenge.

Identify and Solve Unwinnable Games

Identity blocked cards and consider if they can be released or not.

Identity blocked cards and consider if they can be released or not.

Sometimes, you may come across an unwinnable Pyramid Solitaire game due to the arrangement of cards. To save time and frustration, keep these tips in mind:

  1. Recognize blocked cards: The game is likely unwinnable if you notice essential cards blocked by other cards that can't be removed.

  2. Examine the stockpile: Check the stockpile for cards that can't be matched with any available cards in the pyramid. If you find such cards, the game may be unwinnable.

  3. Monitor your progress: If you're consistently unable to make any moves despite using the stockpile and undo options, consider restarting the game.

  4. Learn from experience: As you play more games, you'll become better at identifying unwinnable games early on, helping you save time and focus on winnable games.

By incorporating these tips and strategies into your gameplay, you'll be better equipped to enjoy and excel at Pyramid Solitaire.

Pyramid Solitaire - Key Points

Pyramid Solitaire is an engaging and enjoyable card game that challenges you to strategically match cards that add up to 13 in order to clear the board of all cards. Though luck plays a vital role in each round, skillful play helps maximize your chances of winning a game. With its simple rules and gameplay, Pyramid Solitaire has universal appeal, making it an excellent game for casual and experienced card players.

In addition, tracking features can help you estimate your progress and determine potential top scores. Variations of Pyramid Solitaire include classic and modern versions and other modifications, allowing you to keep challenging your gaming skills.

The bottom line? Pyramid Solitaire promises hours of fun, no matter your level of experience. If you want to play Pyramid Solitaire, check out the free version available here at Solitairea.

BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

Frequently Asked Pyramid Solitaire Questions

Here are some questions and answers related to the game of Pyramid Solitaire.

How does Pyramid Solitaire work?

In Pyramid Solitaire, you must remove pairs of cards that add up to thirteen from a pyramid-shaped arrangement of 28 cards. With a standard 52-card deck, Jacks are worth 11, Queens 12, and Kings 13. Your goal is to strategically match and remove pairs to clear the pyramid. This game is fast-paced and requires quick thinking and decision-making to solve the puzzle.

Is Pyramid Solitaire always winnable?

According to experts, Pyramid Solitaire is not always winnable due to the placement of cards and the possibility of certain card arrangements being unsolvable. However, you can apply specific tactics to identify winnable and unwinnable solitaire games, increasing your chances of success.

What solitaire game adds up to 13?

Pyramid Solitaire is a classic Solitaire game game that requires players to remove pairs of cards that add up to thirteen - the King being the highest-value card in the deck. Jacks are valued at eleven, Queens at twelve, and Kings at thirteen, with a typical 52-card deck. The game is played with 28 cards arranged into a pyramid shape, and the goal is to remove all the cards from the pyramid to win.

Can I play Pyramid Solitaire for free?

Yes, Pyramid Solitaire is free here at Solitairea. You can play it online for free, download it for free, and even train your brain with it for free.