Pyramid Solitaire – Pair Cards That Add Up to 13

Clear the pyramid by removing pairs of uncovered cards that total 13. Kings go on their own. Tap two cards to pair them, or tap the stock to turn a new card. Unlimited undo and hints.

Deal Moves 0 Time 00:00

Tap or click two uncovered cards that total 13 to remove them (a King goes alone). Tap the stock (top left) for a new waste card. Keyboard: Tab to a card and press Enter.

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How to Play Pyramid Solitaire

Last reviewed on 2026-10-03

Pyramid is a quick matching game played with one 52-card deck. Twenty-eight cards are dealt face up in a pyramid of seven rows, each row overlapping the one above. The remaining 24 cards form the stock. Your goal is to remove every card in the pyramid.

Card values

CardA2–10JQK
Value1face value111213

Pairs that make 13: A + Q · 2 + J · 3 + 10 · 4 + 9 · 5 + 8 · 6 + 7 · K alone.

Rules

  1. Only uncovered cards can be used. A pyramid card is available when both cards overlapping it from the row below have been removed. The bottom row starts available.
  2. Remove pairs totalling 13. Tap one available card, then another; if they total 13 both are removed. Tap a King to remove it alone.
  3. Use the stock and waste. Tap the stock to turn its top card onto the waste. The top waste card can be paired with a pyramid card (or removed alone if it is a King).
  4. Redeals: when the stock is empty, tap it to turn the waste back over. You get two redeals (three passes in total).
  5. Win by clearing all 28 pyramid cards.

Pyramid Strategy

  1. Look before you pair. If several cards could pair with the same partner, take the one that uncovers the most new cards, usually the one higher up in the pyramid.
  2. Work on both sides. Clearing one side of the pyramid while the other stays blocked often leaves the top cards stranded. Try to open the bottom row evenly.
  3. Count what is still out. There are four cards of each rank. If three Queens are already gone and an Ace is blocking the pyramid, you know exactly where its partner must be.
  4. Watch out for same-column blocks. A card cannot be paired with a card that is still covering it, so a 6 sitting on top of the only reachable 7 must be dealt with another way.
  5. Save stock passes. Turn the stock only when you have no useful pair on the table; every pass is limited.

Frequently Asked Questions

In Pyramid Solitaire you match two cards that add up to which number?

13. Aces count 1, number cards count their face value, Jacks 11 and Queens 12. A King is worth 13 on its own, so it is removed by itself with a single tap.

Which pairs make 13?

Ace + Queen, 2 + Jack, 3 + 10, 4 + 9, 5 + 8, 6 + 7, and a King alone.

Which cards can I use?

Any pyramid card that is not covered by a card in the row below it (both cards overlapping it must be gone), plus the top card of the waste pile.

How many times can I go through the stock?

Three passes in total: after the stock runs out you can turn the waste over twice. The counter under the stock shows how many redeals are left. Other versions allow anything from one pass to unlimited passes.

Is Pyramid Solitaire hard to win?

Yes, Pyramid is one of the harder patience games to clear, because cards near the top of the pyramid often need partners that are buried in the same pile or deep in the stock. Planning which pairs to take, and when to use the waste, makes a big difference.

What does it take to win?

Clearing all 28 pyramid cards wins the game here. Some versions also ask you to clear the stock and waste.

Enjoy quick matching games? TriPeaks is another fast-paced layout game where you play up or down from the waste.