How to Play Pyramid Solitaire
Pyramid is a quick, simple solitaire. You make pairs that add up to 13 and remove them, trying to dismantle a pyramid of 28 cards. It takes a minute to learn. Then the challenge is choosing which pair to take when there are several.
The layout
- 28 cards are dealt face up in a pyramid of seven rows: one card at the top, then two, three and so on, down to seven at the bottom.
- Each card is partly covered by the two cards below it.
- The remaining 24 cards form the stock. Its top card is face up and can be played. Next to it is the waste pile, which starts empty.
Card values
| Card | Value |
|---|---|
| Ace | 1 |
| 2 – 10 | face value |
| Jack | 11 |
| Queen | 12 |
| King | 13 |
Removing cards
Remove two available cards that add up to 13:
- Ace + Queen, 2 + Jack, 3 + 10, 4 + 9, 5 + 8, 6 + 7.
- A King is worth 13 by itself and is removed alone.
A card is available when:
- it's in the pyramid and both cards below it are gone (the bottom row is available from the start), or
- it's the top card of the stock, or
- it's the top card of the waste.
Any two available cards can make a pair: two from the pyramid, one from the pyramid and one from a pile, or the stock top with the waste top.
The stock and waste
Click Draw to move the stock's top card onto the waste. The next stock card becomes playable. Both the waste top and the new stock top can be paired.
When the stock is empty you can turn the waste over to make a new stock, in the same order as before. By default you can do this twice, for three passes through the deck. You can change this in the settings.
Winning and losing
You win when all 28 pyramid cards have been removed. Cards left in the stock or waste don't matter.
The game is lost when no pair can be made and there is nothing left to draw or turn over. kawu tells you when that happens. You can still undo and try a different line.
Playing on kawu
- Click a card to select it, then click a second card to make 13. A King goes as soon as you click it.
- Undo is unlimited, including draws and redeals.
- Hint shows a good pair, or tells you to draw.
- Daily deal: the same deal for everyone each day, with three passes, scored by how many pyramid cards you clear.
Read the Pyramid strategy guide for tips on choosing pairs, or try Spider and FreeCell.
Frequently asked questions
What cards add up to 13 in Pyramid Solitaire?
Ace + Queen, 2 + Jack, 3 + 10, 4 + 9, 5 + 8 and 6 + 7. Aces count 1, Jacks 11, Queens 12 and Kings 13, so a King is removed on its own.
Can I pair a card with the card that covers it?
Not on kawu. Both cards must be uncovered, so a card is only available once both cards overlapping it have gone. Some versions allow pairing a card with the one card still covering it; kawu uses the stricter, more common rule.
How many times can I go through the deck?
Three times by default: once through the stock and two redeals. You can choose one or two passes instead in the settings.
Do I need to clear the stock to win?
No. You win as soon as all 28 pyramid cards are gone, even if cards remain in the stock or waste.
Is every Pyramid game winnable?
No. Pyramid depends a lot on the order of the stock, and many deals can't be cleared even with perfect play. That's why the daily deal is scored by the number of pyramid cards you clear, not just by winning.
Last updated 2026-10-17