How to Play Pyramid
Want to learn a classic solitaire that's quick to pick up? This guide shows the basics of Pyramid for a curious beginner. For more card guides like this, visit Playmore.
Quick facts
| Game | Players | Deck | Family |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pyramid | 1 | Full normal 52-card deck | International patience |
What you are trying to do
Pyramid is a solitaire game where the main job is to expose and remove pairs of cards that add up to 13. You try to clear cards on the tableau by matching them. The basic goal is simple, but some versions add small scoring or stock rules. Check the authoritative or regional rules for the exact version your group plays.
What you need and how to set up
You need one normal 52-card deck. No special cards are required. Shuffle well.
Common setup places 28 cards face-up in a pyramid shape: a row of seven cards at the base, then six above it, and so on up to a single card at the top. The remaining cards form a face-down stock. Note that exact layouts and whether you deal from left or right can vary by version. Confirm the precise setup with the rules you follow.
How to play
- Look at the pyramid and the top card of the stock (if your version uses one). Only cards that are fully uncovered may be paired. A card is uncovered when no cards sit on it.
- Find a pair of uncovered cards whose values add to 13. When you remove a pair, take them off the tableau and set them aside.
- Many versions treat face cards as higher values so that, for example, a King alone may count as 13 and be removed by itself. Check your rules to confirm those exact values.
- If you can’t find a pair among exposed pyramid cards, you may draw from the stock according to your version’s rule. Use the drawn card to pair with exposed pyramid cards when possible.
- Continue removing pairs and drawing from the stock until no legal moves remain. If your version allows recycling the waste back into the stock, follow that rule; otherwise the stock will run out and the game is over when no moves remain.
How a round or game ends
The most common end is when you can’t make any more legal pairs. You win if you remove all pyramid cards. If cards remain and no moves are possible, you lose that round. Some versions track score or allow limited redeals of the stock; these are version-dependent. Check the exact rule set you’re using for scoring or redeal details.
Beginner tips
- Remove cards that free more cards first. Try to open up the pyramid rather than clearing single isolated matches.
- Keep an eye on which cards remain in the stock and waste. Plan moves that use those cards wisely.
- Don’t rush to pair with a stock card if it prevents freeing two pyramid cards next turn. Think one or two moves ahead.
- Play several practice rounds to learn how the layout changes with different shuffles. Many games are about luck, but good choice-making helps.
FAQ
Can I play with more than one deck?
Pyramid is normally played with a single 52-card deck. House variants might change that, but a single deck is standard for beginners.
What values do face cards have?
Most common versions assign values so pairs add to 13 and often let a King count as 13 on its own. Exact face-card values can vary, so check the rule set you’re using.
Is Pyramid the same as Golf or Klondike?
No. Pyramid focuses on pairing cards to total 13 and uses a pyramid tableau. Golf and Klondike have different layouts and move rules, so the play feels different.