About Pyramid Solitaire
Pyramid Solitaire flips the classic card game into a puzzle of arithmetic planning where the difficulty escalates through the pyramid's layered exposure. Early levels let you pick from many exposed cards, but as the pyramid shrinks, fewer cards are uncovered, forcing you to plan pair sequences carefully. A late-game complication: the draw pile's three-card flip introduces randomness that can block progress, requiring you to rethink which pairs to remove to expose deeper layers. The constraint of matching only free cards — those not overlapped by others — tightens the puzzle, demanding foresight to avoid dead ends.
Pair cards that add up to 13 to clear them from the pyramid. Number cards are their face value, A is 1, J is 11, Q is 12, and King is 13 — so you can remove a King on its own. Use the draw pile to flip new cards and keep matching. It’s a satisfying puzzle of planning your pairs and clearing the board.
How to Play Pyramid Solitaire
- Select two free cards whose values add up to 13 to remove them. Free cards are those not overlapped by any other card.
- A King (value 13) can be removed by itself as a single card.
- Use the draw pile to flip new cards one at a time; each flipped card can be paired with another free card or a King removed alone.
- If no moves are available from the pyramid or the draw pile, the game ends.
- Continue pairing until all cards are cleared from the pyramid and the draw pile is exhausted.
Game Features
- Pyramid layout with overlapping cards that restricts which cards can be selected.
- Card values 1-13 with face cards assigned specific points: A=1, J=11, Q=12.
- Single-card removal for Kings, which are worth 13 points.
- Draw pile that provides additional cards to pair with pyramid cards.
- Progressive difficulty as fewer cards become exposed near the end of the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a King if it is partially covered by another card?
No, only free cards — those not overlapped by any other card — can be selected. A King must be fully exposed to be removed.
What happens if I run out of moves from the pyramid and the draw pile?
The game ends. You have lost that round and may restart with a fresh pyramid.
Do Jokers appear in the game?
No, the game uses a standard deck without Jokers. Cards include Ace through King in four suits.
Can I undo a move?
The official instructions do not mention an undo feature. Once a pair is removed, it cannot be taken back.
Category & Tags
Game Details
- Category: Color Sort, Number & Letter Sort
- Last updated: May 6, 2026
