How to win Pyramid Solitaire: choosing the right pairs
4 min read ·
Pyramid Solitaire is solitaire with arithmetic: remove uncovered cards in pairs that add up to 13 until the whole 28-card pyramid is gone. The sums are easy; the hard part is that each card usually has several possible partners, and picking the wrong one can strand a card for good.
Every deal on Puzzimo is checked by a solver and can be cleared. Here's how to choose well.
The rules
- Remove uncovered cards in pairs that add up to 13: Ace = 1, Jack = 11, Queen = 12.
- A King (13) is removed on its own.
- The top card of the waste can pair too, with any uncovered pyramid card.
- You can go through the stock three times.
The pairs
Every card has one partner rank: A + Q, 2 + J, 3 + 10, 4 + 9, 5 + 8, 6 + 7, and the King alone. Learn them so you see pairs at a glance.
Choose the partner that frees the most
There are four cards of each rank, so a 6 in the pyramid may have several 7s to pair with: one in the pyramid, one on the waste, more to come in the stock. Prefer the partner that uncovers more cards, and keep partners that you'll need for cards deep in the pyramid.
Watch out for a card that covers its own partner: a 5 sitting on the only remaining 8 can never pair with it. One of the other 8s has to do the job, so don't spend them elsewhere.
Clear the pyramid evenly
The bottom row is free from the start, but the cards near the top are covered by up to six rows. Work the rows evenly instead of digging down one side, so that as many cards as possible become uncovered at once.
Practise
Tap one card, then its partner; tap a King to remove it. Undo draws on your shared undo balance (three free a day). Every deal can be won, and results are ranked by time.
Frequently asked questions
Which cards pair in Pyramid Solitaire?
Pairs adding up to 13: Ace with Queen, 2 with Jack, 3 with 10, 4 with 9, 5 with 8 and 6 with 7. Kings count 13 and are removed alone.
How many times can I go through the stock?
Three times on Puzzimo. After the third pass, only the pyramid and the waste remain to pair from.
What's the most common mistake in Pyramid?
Using up the partners a buried card will need. Before pairing, check whether that partner is the only one left for a card that's still covered.