Definition
Pyramid Solitaire is a variation on the standard Solitaire or Patience ruleset. The name comes from the unique initial board layout, where cards are arranged in a pyramid-like shape, with a large base building towards a narrow top. The game is popular among people who love puzzles, thanks to its modern take on the classic Solitaire genre.
How to Play Pyramid Solitaire with Cards?
Pyramid Solitaire is a game designed for one player, just like other puzzler-style Solitaire or Patience games. All you need to play Pyramid Solitaire is a single 52-card Anglo American deck, commonly used in Poker or other card games. Some variations might use the 48-card French deck, but this can be easily adapted by removing the 10 cards from the standard deck.
How to Set Up Pyramid Solitaire?
The “pyramid” is built, which consists of a total of 21 cards. Each pyramid consists of 6 rows, overlapping from top to bottom. The cards on the upper rows are blocked with two cards on the row beneath, forming the pyramid.
The top row begins with a single card, and the bottom-most row consists of 7 cards.
The remaining unused cards in the building of the pyramid are set aside to form the stock.
Playing the Game
The main objective of the game is to pair up cards in combinations that total 13. Each card has an individual value, as described below:
- Aces: 1 point
- 2-10: Face value
- Jacks: 11 points
- Queens: 12 points
- Kings: 13 points
Kings can be removed without pairing.
Examples of valid pairs include the following:
- J♦ + 2♣ = 13 points
- 6♦ + 7♠ = 13 points
Making Matches
Matches can be made using the cards in the pyramid and the top card of the draw pile (sometimes known as the Stock). When matches are made, the cards are set aside in the matched pile. This pile cannot be used in the remainder of the game.
Since only the top card of the draw pile can always be used , if it cannot be sued in a match, it will be set aside, forming the waste pile (sometimes known as the Foundation). The waste pile, like the matched pile, cannot be used to make matches in the remainder of the game. This means that boards cannot be cleared.
How to Win?
The ideal winning condition is the clear all cards from the board.
Rounds
Since not all boards can be cleared, Pyramid Solitaire games can span multiple boards, with the final scores being the comparison that determines the winner. Due to its popularity from being bundled in operating systems and phones, Pyramid Solitaire is often competed with using seeded boards, where two players are guaranteed the same board.
Variations
There is a variation known as Relaxed Pyramid Solitaire, where cards in the waste pile can be reshuffled into the draw pile, resulting in a higher chance that a board is solvable. These is a less stressful variant of the game, and is popular for casual play.
Another variation involves another “base” of the pyramid, where an extra 7 cards are placed below the pyramid without overlapping or blocking cards. These 7 cards serve as an extension of the draw pile, and can be used to make matches at any point in time.
A minor rule variation is the placing of the draw pile face-up. Ultimately, this changes little in the entirety of the game, as only the top card can be used at any time.
Pyramid Solitaire Rules
Pyramid Solitaire rules are in place to prevent invalid matches, adding to the challenge of the game, and awarding players who think multiple moves ahead.
Matching Rules
If a board includes a 3-card combination like the following:
While the Queen and Ace can combine to form a 13-point pair, the Ace is blocking the queen. Hence, the combination is not valid.
However, should the same situation arise, with the 2 of Clubs being matched beforehand, the combination becomes valid.
Depending on the ruling methods of the current round, this can be considered a valid match. However, this ultimately depends on the currently used ruleset.
Summary of Rules
In short, the Pyramid Solitaire rules are:
- Build the pyramid structure with cards, 1 card at the top, and 7 cards at the bottom.
- Remaining cards form the draw pile, only the top card can be revealed at each time.
- Matches of two cards totalling a value of 13 are made, and matches are removed.
- Matches can only be made with cards not blocked by any other cards.
- The top card from the draw pile can be used for matching.
- If no matches can be made, the top card of the draw pile is discarded, and moved to the waste pile.
- Cards from the waste pile cannot be used for the rest of the game.
- Once no more possible moves are available, the game ends, and scores are calculated.
How to Score
Since this is a single-player card game, Pyramid Solitaire scoring is generally used in digital simulators of the game. Scores are used in seeded games, where multiple players can be guaranteed the exact same board and configuration, to see which player manages to win with a lower score.
The best score one can get in Pyramid Solitaire is 0, which happens when all cards are cleared off the board. If any cards remain on the board, players are scored by totaling the remaining value of cards. The card values are as described in the ‘Playing the Game’ section of this guide.
While this seems like a bad ending board, it should be noted that not all boards can be cleared.
To calculate the ending score, we count the values of each remaining card, and summing them up. We find that this board is worth 47 points.
Example Plays
An example ending board of the Pyramid card game is shown below.
While this seems like a bad ending board, it should be noted that not all boards can be cleared.
To calculate the ending score, we count the values of each remaining card, and summing them up. We find that this board is worth 47 points.
Strategy and Tips
- The easiest part of Pyramid Solitaire strategy is to remove Kings immediately, since there is no drawback.
- Plan out moves, a wrong move can end the game prematurely.
- The best tips are to take time on your moves.
- Learn to ignore the suits. All suits are the same.
- Do not waste time in time attack-style games, rush the boards to get to the end.
- Make strategies based on the specific rules. If certain tricks are allowed, use them.
Where to Play Pyramid Solitaire Online for Free?
Pyramid online is well-suited for digital play, hence, it’s no surprise you can play Pyramid Solitaire for free online. These even include functions like Undo and build-in timers, making for a more convenient experience on your computer.
AARP
One of the best simulators available, and the more popular versions, with a great interface and smooth controls. It can be played here.
MSN/Microsoft
A variant of Pyramid Solitaire is included in Microsoft’s Solitaire Collection. As with other games I the collection, these are well made digital recreations of the game.
Solitaired
A relatively new website where you can play over 500 versions of Solitaire without any registration or ads. They also offer their own free Pyramid game which runs very smoothly.
PCH
Another popular version of the game with a nice interface and leaderboards. Unfortunately there are geographic limitations and depending on where you live you might not be able to access the site.
Green Felt
A basic recreation of the game, with a very simple interface, and a simple one click control scheme.
Washington Post
Similar AARP, the Washington Post version of Pyramid Solitaire has a great interface, and even works on phones through browsers. The game is developed by Arkadium and is pretty straightforward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Ace worth in Pyramid Solitaire?
An Ace is worth 1 point in in this card game.
What are the odds of winning a game of Pyramid Solitaire?
Mathematically, the odds of winning by clearing the board is roughly 0.5%, which is very rare. If you can pair with the stock at the start of the game, the probability is 5.5 percent.
What happens when you can’t recycle the cards anymore?
When you can’t recycle the cards anymore, the game ends once no more matches are possible.
What is the record high score?
On the GameLand Pyramid Solitaire simulator, the record high score is 34,973 points, and has yet to be surpassed since 2013.
How many rows are in Pyramid Solitaire?
There are 7 rows in the game of Pyramid Solitaire.
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