HOW TO PLAY PYRAMID SOLITAIRE

Pyramid is a unique twist on the classic Klondike Solitaire game, where strategy and fun are combined with a mild mathematical challenge. The goal is to remove pairs of cards that add up to a total of 13. The game is played by one person, and the basic rules are fairly simple.

How to set up Pyramid Solitaire

The Pyramid Solitaire game uses a standard deck of 52 cards and owes its name to the 28 cards that appear on the tableau in the form of a pyramid (see figure 1). The pyramid has seven rows, starting with one card on the top and ending with seven cards on the bottom. All cards are laid face up and must overlap each other. The remaining 24 cards are laid beneath the pyramid and form the stockpile. We can also see the waste pile beneath the tableau, which contains cards that cannot be used temporarily.

Match cards

To win at Solitaire Pyramid, you need to get rid of all the cards from the tableau, the stock and the waste pile by making pairs that add up to 13. You can only use open cards. An open card is one that has no overlapping cards. By knowing the value of the cards, you can make accurate discards. Number cards are worth their nominal value, aces are worth 1 point, Jacks are 11, Queens are 12 points and Kings are equal to 13. Since the King already has a value of 13, you can immediately discard it without looking for another card.

In Pyramid Solitaire, you can combine the following cards to get a total of 13:

• King (single card = 13)
• Queen and Ace (12 + 1 = 13)
• Jack and 2 (11 + 2 = 13)
• 10 and 3
• 9 and 4
• 8 and 5
• 7 and 6

How do you play Pyramid Solitaire

First, you will try to find pairs in the pyramid itself. You select 2 cards that add up to a total value of 13 and the game will automatically remove them. No more valid matches? Then you start browsing the stockpile to find cards that you can match with tableau cards. If you can't use a stockpile card, you move it to the waste pile by clicking on it twice.

The cards in the stockpile can be browsed three times. If there are still cards on the tableau that cannot form pairs after these three turns, you have lost. Fortunately, in our game, you always get a second chance. In the "out of moves" screen, you can always go a step back to try other moves. Sometimes making one different move can result in being able to finish the game. The game is won when all cards from the pyramid, stockpile and waste pile have been discarded.

Pyramid Solitaire tips and strategies

Initially, winning the game may seem like a daunting task. But with practice, you'll develop better strategies, such as knowing which matches to make and when to match within the pyramid or use the stockpile. By following these simple tips, you can significantly boost your odds of success:

• If you have several cards that can be played, pick the move that uncovers a card that can form another pair. In figure 2, you have 2 nines that can be paired with the 4 for a total of 13. The ideal move is to pair the 4 with the 9 to the left as there's another 4 beneath it, which you can then match with the 9 on the right.

• For a better chance of success, match tableau cards with each other rather than with waste or stock cards as this exposes more cards, bringing you closer to victory.
• The tableau cards should be removed as evenly as possible to leave more cards open. The worst thing that can happen is having multiple cards left in the pyramid, but only one is playable.
• It's important to remove tableau cards evenly to keep more cards open. The worst scenario is having several cards in the pyramid but only one that can be played.
• Prioritize finding blockages. In Figure 3, the only card that can be played is a 3. However, the matching 10 is obstructed by other cards, rendering the game unwinnable. Examining the pyramid at the beginning of the game can reveal many blockages. Our game also offers an easier version where most of the blockages have been removed.

With these strategies in mind and a little bit of luck, you are well on your way to winning your first game. We wish you good luck and, above all, lots of fun solving the puzzles!