Free Games How to play Pyramid Solitaire
Pyramid is one of the friendliest solitaire games there is, because it runs on one simple idea: find two cards that add up to 13. Twenty-eight cards are dealt into a pyramid of seven rows, and the rest wait in a face-down deal pile. Tap two uncovered cards that make 13 and they vanish. Clear the whole pyramid and you win.
The rules in plain words
- Number cards are worth their number. An Ace is 1, a Jack is 11, a Queen is 12 and a King is 13.
- A pyramid card can only be used when it is uncovered — no card from the row below may be resting on it. The bottom row is ready from the start; covered cards look grey and wait their turn.
- A King makes 13 all by itself, so one tap removes it — no partner needed.
- Tap the deal pile to turn over a fresh card. The top card of the waste pile can pair with any uncovered pyramid card.
- When the deal pile runs out, tap it once more and the waste turns back over — you can deal through the cards as many times as you like.
Every pair that makes 13
There are only six pairs to remember — and the King, which goes alone:
| This card… | …pairs with |
|---|---|
| Ace (1) | Queen (12) |
| 2 | Jack (11) |
| 3 | 10 |
| 4 | 9 |
| 5 | 8 |
| 6 | 7 |
| King (13) | Nobody — one tap removes it |
How to make a move — no dragging
Everything is a single, gentle tap. Tap a card to pick it up — it lifts and shows a “picked up” tag, and the game tells you exactly which partner it needs. Then tap the matching card and both are removed. Change your mind? Tap the same card again to put it back. If two cards do not make 13, nothing bad happens — the game simply explains the sum and lets you try again.
Gentle tips for clearing the pyramid
- Work on the pyramid first. Removing pyramid cards is what wins the game, so when you can choose, prefer a pair that uses pyramid cards over one that leans on the waste pile.
- Take Kings whenever you see them. They cost nothing and they uncover the cards beneath.
- Peek before you pair. Two uncovered pyramid cards that make 13 are usually better than using a dealt card — but if a pair would block another, the Hint button will happily find a good one for you.
- Never worry about the deal pile. With unlimited redeals and unlimited Undo, no tap can ruin your game. Play a hunch, and undo it if it does not pan out.
Comfortable by design
The cards are large and bold, with the rank printed in both top corners and a clear suit picture in the middle, so every card stays readable even when rows overlap. There is no timer, no score against you and no “game over” screen — just a quiet puzzle you can leave and come back to. The Hint button always finds the next friendly step: a pair, a lone King, or simply “deal a card.” Press it twice and it makes the move for you.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I play Pyramid Solitaire?
- Tap two cards that add up to 13 to remove them — for example a 6 and a 7, or an Ace (worth 1) and a Queen (worth 12). Kings are worth 13 on their own, so a single tap removes a King. Only uncovered cards can be used. Tap the deal pile for a fresh card whenever you need one. Clear the whole pyramid and you win.
- Which cards add up to 13?
- Ace and Queen, 2 and Jack, 3 and 10, 4 and 9, 5 and 8, 6 and 7. A King counts as 13 all by itself, so it goes alone. That is the whole list — many players keep it nearby for the first few games.
- What happens when the deal pile runs out?
- Nothing bad. Tap the empty deal pile and the waste cards turn back over, so you can deal through them again — as many times as you like. There is no limit on redeals here, so you always get another look.
- Is there a timer or a way to lose?
- No. There is never a clock, never a score against you, and never a “game over” screen. The Undo button steps back through every move, so nothing you tap can spoil the game. If a deal will not work out, just start a fresh one whenever you like.
- Is it really free?
- Yes — completely free, with no download, no sign-up and no email. A few small, clearly labelled ads help keep the site running, but they are never pop-ups and never sit over the cards.
Enjoy this one? Try our classic Klondike Solitaire, browse all the card games, or see every free game on the site.
