Thirteen is the only number that matters here. Pyramid Solitaire unblocked lays 28 cards face up in a triangle, and you knock it down two cards at a time by finding pairs that add to 13.
It is a good way to sharpen quick addition without it feeling like homework. This version, from Christopher Müller's PaperGames collection, uses plain black-and-white cards with no ads and no clock.
How to play Pyramid Solitaire
Cards count at face value, with Jacks at 11, Queens at 12 and Kings at 13. Pick two open cards that total 13 and they leave the table. A King needs no partner, so you can remove it by itself.
A pyramid card is open only when both cards overlapping it from the row below are gone. Blocked cards appear dimmed. The other 24 cards form the stock: tap it to turn up a card. Whatever card lies face up on that discard pile may be matched against an unblocked pyramid card.
When the stock is empty you can turn the waste pile over and go through it again, twice in all. Clear all 28 pyramid cards to win.
Controls
| To… | Keyboard | Mouse | Touch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pick a card for a pair | Tab to the card (arrow keys move around the pyramid), then Enter | Click an uncovered card, then click its partner | Tap an uncovered card, then tap its partner |
| Remove a King | Tab to the King, then Enter | Click the King | Tap the King |
| Draw from the stock or redeal the waste | — | Click the stock pile | Tap the stock pile |
| Take back a move | — | Click "Undo" | Tap "Undo" |
| Deal a new game | — | Click "New game" (open "Menu" if it is hidden) | Tap "New game" (open "Menu" if it is hidden) |
Tips
- Learn the pairs by heart. Ace and Queen, 2 and Jack, 3 and 10, 4 and 9, 5 and 8, 6 and 7. Spotting them fast is half the game.
- Free the deepest rows first. Cards near the top of the pyramid are covered by the most cards. Pairs that open the upper rows are worth more than easy ones on the bottom.
- Do not rush the waste. Before you flip a new stock card, check whether the current one has a partner on the board.
- Count what is left. If three of the four 7s are gone, any 6 still on the board has only one possible partner. Plan around it.
- Use undo freely. You can step back as far as you like in the current deal, so test a line and rewind if it blocks you.
Pyramid Solitaire questions
Do I need to use up the stock to win?
No. The win comes as soon as the last pyramid card is gone, even if cards are still sitting in the stock or waste.
Can two waste cards be paired together?
No. Only the top waste card is in play. It can match an open pyramid card or be removed alone if it is a King.
Will my game still be there if I reload?
Yes. Your current deal is stored locally, so a refresh brings it right back.
Can I make the cards easier to read?
Yes. The settings include larger text, extra spacing and a high-contrast mode.
