Pyramid Solitaire is a free online card game where you clear a pyramid of 28 cards by removing pairs that add up to 13. It runs in your browser with no download or sign up, works on phones and computers, and keeps working offline once the page has loaded.
Inspired by: Pyramid, a classic patience card game.
How to play Pyramid Solitaire
- Seven rows of cards form a pyramid. A card is free only when no card lies on top of it.
- Tap two free cards that add up to 13 to remove them. Ace is 1, Jack is 11 and Queen is 12.
- Kings are worth 13 on their own, so tap a free King to remove it alone.
- Tap the stock pile to turn over a new card. The top waste card can also be paired with a pyramid card.
- You can go through the stock three times. Clear the whole pyramid to win.
Controls
- Keyboard: Space draws from the stock. H or the Up arrow shows a hint.
- Mouse: Click cards to select them. Click the stock to draw. Click Hint for a clue.
- Touch screen: Tap cards to select them. Tap the stock to draw. Tap Hint for a clue.
Tips to score higher
- Aim to free the cards in the lowest rows first, because they unlock the cards above.
- Do not use a card from the waste pile if the same pair is also in the pyramid. Plan the other way round.
- Before you draw, look for pairs that include a Queen with an Ace, a Jack with a 2, and so on.
- Count the cards left of each value. If one half of a pair is gone, the other half is useless.
- Use hints sparingly. Each hint takes five points off your score.
The story behind Pyramid Solitaire
Pyramid belongs to the big family of patience games, which are card games for one player. People have played patience for a few hundred years, often at home on slow afternoons. When Microsoft added Solitaire to Windows 3.0 in 1990, millions of people learned to play patience on a computer, often during office breaks, which started a whole generation of card game habits. Pyramid is a favourite because the rule is so simple: add up to 13. If you grew up in a house with a pack of cards always in the drawer, this game will feel like a friendly old relative.
Questions players ask
Is Pyramid Solitaire free to play?
Yes. It is free, with no sign up, no download and no ads inside the game.
How do I win Pyramid Solitaire?
Remove every card from the pyramid by pairing cards that add up to 13 and removing Kings alone.
How many times can I go through the stock?
Three times. After the third pass, you must use the cards you have.
Are all deals winnable?
No. Some random deals cannot be cleared, just like real Pyramid. Good planning clears many of them.
Can I play on my phone?
Yes. Tap the cards and the stock pile on any phone or tablet.