Clear a pyramid of 28 cards by pairing up any two that add up to 13. Kings go on their own.
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How to play Pyramid
The goal is to remove every card from the pyramid. You remove cards in pairs that add up to 13. Cards left in the stock at the end don't matter.
Card values
- An Ace is 1, number cards are worth their number, a Jack is 11 and a Queen is 12.
- A King is 13, so it's removed on its own.
- So the pairs are A + Q, 2 + J, 3 + 10, 4 + 9, 5 + 8 and 6 + 7.
The layout
- 28 cards are dealt face up in seven rows, from one card at the top to seven at the bottom.
- The other 24 cards make the stock at the top left. Tap it to turn a card onto the waste.
Rules
- A pyramid card can be played once both cards resting on it are gone.
- The top card of the waste can be paired with a pyramid card.
- Tap a card to play it. If it has only one possible partner, the pair goes straight away. If it has more, it lifts up: tap the partner you want. You can also drag one card onto the other.
- When the stock runs out you can turn the waste back over. Choose 1 pass (hard), 3 passes (the usual) or unlimited.
Tips
- Work on the bottom rows evenly, so no part of the pyramid gets stuck behind one hard card.
- Before pairing a pyramid card with the waste, check whether it could free another pyramid card instead.
- Watch for two of the same pair stacked on each other, like a 6 sitting on a 7: they can block each other.
A little history
Pyramid is an old adding game, and like most patience games nobody knows who invented it. It belongs to a family of solitaires where you remove cards that add up to a total. Others ask for pairs that make 10 or 11, but Pyramid's 13, with the King removed alone, is the best known.
The shape is what made it famous. Laying the cards out as a pyramid means each card is held by the two below it, so the order you clear them matters as much as the pairs. Pyramid reached a wide audience through computer solitaire collections, including Microsoft's, where it sits next to Klondike, Spider and FreeCell.
Pyramid FAQ
What pairs add up to 13?
Ace and Queen, 2 and Jack, 3 and 10, 4 and 9, 5 and 8, and 6 and 7. A King is worth 13 on its own, so it's removed by itself.
How many passes through the stock do I get?
You choose: 1 pass for the hardest game, 3 passes for the usual one, or unlimited. Change it with the option button, which starts a new deal.
Can I pair two cards from the pyramid?
Yes, as long as both are free, meaning nothing rests on either of them. You can also pair a free pyramid card with the top card of the waste.
Do I need to clear the stock to win?
No. You win when the pyramid is empty. Cards left in the stock or the waste don't count.
How often can Pyramid be won?
Less often than Klondike. With one pass many deals can't be cleared, and even with three passes a good share get stuck. Unlimited passes make most deals winnable.
Are my stats saved?
Yes, on this device, separately for each number of passes. There's no account, so they stay in this browser.
Ready for more? The Pyramid strategy guide → covers what to do in every phase of a game.