Play Pyramid Solitaire Online for Free
Pyramid Solitaire is a single-player card game built around one rule: pair exposed cards that add up to 13. Clear every card from the pyramid-shaped layout to win. Unlike Klondike Solitaire, which uses sequencing, Pyramid Solitaire relies on simple addition and careful pair selection. Solitaire.com is a free online card game platform where you can play Pyramid Solitaire with unlimited undos, a hint button, and no downloads.
What Is Pyramid Solitaire?
Pyramid Solitaire is a card game in the Simple Addition family. Pyramid Solitaire uses one standard 52-card deck. The goal of Pyramid Solitaire is to clear every card from the pyramid by making pairs that total 13. Suits and colors do not matter in Pyramid Solitaire. Only the rank of each card counts.
Pyramid Solitaire is also known as Tut's Tomb or Solitaire 13. Pyramid Solitaire differs from other solitaire card game variants because you match cards by value rather than arrange them in sequence. The King card rank holds a value of 13, so King cards are removed alone without a partner.
Pyramid Solitaire Setup and Card Layout
Pyramid Solitaire begins with 28 face-up cards arranged in seven overlapping rows. The first row has one card at the top. Each row below adds one more card, ending with seven cards at the base. Pyramid Solitaire uses 52 cards: 28 form the pyramid and 24 form the stock pile.
The board has four areas:
Tableau (the pyramid): 28 face-up cards in seven rows. Only exposed cards can be paired. An exposed card is one with no other cards covering it. At the start, only the seven bottom-row cards are fully exposed.
Foundation: The area where paired cards are removed permanently.
Stock pile: The 24 remaining face-down cards. Draw one card at a time from here when no tableau pairs are available.
Waste pile: Face-up cards drawn from the stock pile. The top card of the waste pile is always available for pairing with an exposed tableau card.
Pairing Cards to 13
Each card in Pyramid Solitaire has a fixed point value, and every valid pair must total exactly 13.
- Ace (A) - Value: 1 | Pairs with: Queen (Q) | Total: 13
- 2 - Value: 2 | Pairs with: Jack (J) | Total: 13
- 3 - Value: 3 | Pairs with: 10 | Total: 13
- 4 - Value: 4 | Pairs with: 9 | Total: 13
- 5 - Value: 5 | Pairs with: 8 | Total: 13
- 6 - Value: 6 | Pairs with: 7 | Total: 13
- King (K) - Value: 13 | Pairs with: None needed | Total: 13
Suits do not matter. A 5♣ pairs with any 8, regardless of color. The King card is the only rank removed without a partner. Tap or click a King card to send it straight to the Foundation.
How to Play Pyramid Solitaire Step-by-Step
Pyramid Solitaire follows a simple loop: find pairs, remove them, and draw from the stock pile when no pairs remain.
Step 1: Scan the Tableau for pairs: Look at the bottom row first. Only exposed cards can be paired. For example, pair a 9♦ with a 4♠ to remove both cards.
Step 2: Remove King cards immediately: The King card rank equals 13 on its own, so it never needs a partner. Remove King cards as soon as they are exposed. Each King card blocks two cards directly beneath it, and leaving one in place limits your options.
Step 3: Draw from the stock pile: When no tableau pairs are available, flip the top stock pile card to the waste pile. The top waste pile card can pair with any exposed pyramid card. For example, draw a 3♥ and pair it with an exposed 10♣.
Step 4: Keep pairing until you win or get stuck: The game is won when all 28 pyramid cards are removed. The game is lost when no valid pairs remain and the stock pile is empty.
On Solitaire.com, the unlimited undo button lets you reverse any move and try a different path. If you are unsure which pair to make next, the hint button highlights a valid option.
Pyramid Solitaire Strategy: Which Pairs to Prioritize
Winning Pyramid Solitaire depends on which pairs you remove first, not how fast you play. Follow this priority order to make stronger decisions.
Priority 1: Remove King cards on sight: Every King card blocks two cards beneath it and requires no partner. Removing a King card is always a free gain.
Priority 2: Choose tableau-to-tableau pairs over tableau-to-waste pairs: Removing two pyramid cards exposes up to four new cards beneath them. Pairing a pyramid card with a waste pile card only exposes two. Always check the pyramid for a match before using the waste pile.
Priority 3: Watch for buried multiples: Each rank pairs with only one other rank. If three 9s appear in the pyramid, the fourth is likely in the stock pile. Focus on clearing the 4s from the pyramid first, because 4s are the only partner for 9s. If all four partners are buried under each other, the game becomes stuck.
Priority 4: Remove cards evenly from both sides: An uneven pyramid traps cards on the neglected side. Spread your removals across the layout to keep more cards exposed.
Pyramid Solitaire Tips
Most Pyramid Solitaire losses come from three repeated mistakes.
Pairing the first match you see: Not all pairs are equal. A pair that exposes two blocked cards is worth more than one that exposes none. Pause and compare your options before clicking.
Drawing from the stock pile too early: Scan the full pyramid before flipping a
stock pile card. Cards that enter the waste pile may get buried under later draws. Many versions only allow one pass through the stock pile.
Ignoring the shape of the pyramid: Removing cards from only one side creates a lopsided layout. Cards trapped on the neglected side will end your game. Balance your removals across both sides.
Solitaire.com includes an undo button that lets you reverse a hasty pair and test a different path.
Managing the Stock and Waste in Pyramid Solitaire
The stock pile holds the 24 cards not dealt into the pyramid. You draw one card at a time when no tableau pairs are available. Most versions of Pyramid Solitaire allow only one pass through the stock pile, so every draw matters.
The top card of the waste pile is always available for pairing. This means you can pair it with any exposed pyramid card. However, once a new card is drawn from the stock pile, the previous waste pile card is buried and no longer accessible.
Draw from the stock pile as a last resort, not a first option. Scan the full pyramid for pairs before flipping a new card. On Solitaire.com, the hint button confirms whether a valid pair still exists before you draw.
How to Spot an Unwinnable Game
Some Pyramid Solitaire deals cannot be solved. If a card near the top is blocked by all four of its partners beneath it, no moves can free it. Spot this pattern early and start a new deal.
On Solitaire.com, the Winnable Deals option ensures every game has a solution. The hint button also confirms whether a valid pair still exists.
Pyramid Solitaire Win Rate Statistics
Pyramid Solitaire has a win rate ranging from roughly 1% under strict rules to about 30% in relaxed versions. The difference comes down to what counts as a win.
Under strict rules, you must clear all 52 cards, including the stock pile and waste pile. Pyramid Solitaire wins about 1 to 2% of the time under these conditions, making it one of the hardest types of solitaire games.
Under relaxed rules, you only need to clear the 28 pyramid cards. Pyramid Solitaire wins closer to 30% of the time in this version.
For comparison, the Klondike Solitaire card game wins about 80% in Turn 1 mode. The Spider Solitaire 4-Suit card game wins less than 10%. Solitaire.com offers a Winnable Deals mode that guarantees a solution exists. The Undo button on Solitaire.com lets you explore different paths without restarting.
##Play Pyramid Solitaire Free on Solitaire.com
Solitaire.com is a free online card game platform that runs Pyramid Solitaire in your browser on any device. No downloads or sign-ups required. The game loads on desktop, tablet, and phone screens.
- Unlimited undo button to reverse moves and try new strategies
- Hint button to find your next valid pair
- Classic scoring mode (standard points, not Vegas-style wagering)
Ready for a different card game challenge? Try Spider Solitaire, FreeCell, or TriPeaks Solitaire on Solitaire.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play Pyramid Solitaire?
Pair exposed cards that add up to 13 to remove them from the pyramid. Remove King cards alone, since they already equal 13. Draw from the stock pile when no pairs remain. Clear all pyramid cards to win.
What are the rules of Pyramid Solitaire?
Pair exposed cards that total exactly 13 to remove them from the board. Suits and colors do not matter. Only rank counts. Kings equal 13 and are removed alone. You may draw one card at a time from the stock pile when no tableau pairs are available. Most versions allow one pass through the stock pile.
How do you pair cards in Pyramid Solitaire?
Ace pairs with Queen, 2 with Jack, 3 with 10, 4 with 9, 5 with 8, and 6 with 7. The King card equals 13 on its own and needs no partner.
What's the best strategy for Pyramid Solitaire?
Remove King cards as soon as they are exposed - they need no partner and block cards beneath them. Choose pairs that expose new cards over pairs that do not. Work evenly across both sides of the pyramid to avoid trapping cards. Draw from the stock pile only when no tableau pairs remain.
Is every Pyramid Solitaire game winnable?
No. Under standard rules, many random deals are unsolvable. Solitaire.com offers a Winnable Deals option that guarantees a solution exists for every Pyramid Solitaire game you play.
What is the win rate for Pyramid Solitaire?
About 1 to 2% under strict rules and roughly 30% in relaxed versions. The gap depends on whether you must clear all 52 cards or only the 28 pyramid cards.
Can I play Pyramid Solitaire for free?
Yes. Solitaire.com is a free online card game platform that runs Pyramid Solitaire in your browser with no downloads or sign-ups required. Card games like Pyramid Solitaire also support solitaire brain benefits, such as sharper focus and pattern recognition.