Pyramid Solitaire Strategy: 7 Tips to Clear More Pyramids
Pyramid is partly luck, since the stock order decides a lot. But choosing the right pair when there are several is what turns a near miss into a cleared pyramid. Here are seven habits of good Pyramid players. New to the game? Start with the rules.
1. Pyramid cards first, pile cards second
The pyramid is what you have to clear; the stock doesn't matter. When a card from the stock could pair either with a pyramid card or with the waste, use it on the pyramid. A stock + waste pair is fine when nothing else is possible, but it doesn't bring you closer to winning.
2. Uncover cards, especially in the middle
A pyramid card only becomes available when both cards below it are gone. When you have several pairs, choose the one that frees a new card. The middle of the pyramid matters most. The centre cards of each row hold up two cards each, and the top card sits behind the whole middle column.
3. Watch for cards that block their own partners
The classic trap: a 6 sits directly on top of the only 7 you can still reach. Count which cards each pair needs. If both 7s are buried under 6s, you'll need a 7 from the stock, so don't waste stock 7s on other 6s early.
4. Kings are free, so clear them early
A King needs no partner. Remove pyramid Kings as soon as they're uncovered; they only block the cards above them. Kings in the stock can wait, because they don't help clear the pyramid.
5. Use the first pass to learn the stock
With three passes you can afford to draw through the stock once just to see the order. Make the obvious pyramid pairs as you go, and note which stock cards will be useful later. On later passes the stock comes in the same order, so you can plan.
6. Count the pairs you still need
Before turning the waste over for the last time, look at what's left in the pyramid. For every remaining card, is its partner still somewhere you can reach? If a Queen needs an Ace and all four Aces are gone, that Queen can never be removed and the deal is lost. Better to find that out early and undo.
7. Use undo freely
Undo is unlimited and the stock order never changes. So when two pairs look equally good, try one. Draw a few cards to see what happens, then undo if it leads nowhere. The daily deal is scored by cards cleared, so trying lines of play pays off there too.
Practise
Pyramid games are short. Play a few in a row and you'll start to see the 13-pairs instantly. Once pairing feels natural, try the daily deal and compare how many cards you clear. Then try Spider for a longer game.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best strategy for Pyramid Solitaire?
Clear pyramid cards before stock cards, and when you can choose between pairs, take the one that uncovers new pyramid cards. Plan for the cards that block each other, since every card except a King needs a partner.
Should I always take a pair when I see one?
Usually, but not always. If a stock or waste card is the only partner for a pyramid card you will need later, it can be worth keeping it, and drawing past it on the first pass costs nothing when you have redeals left.
Last updated 2026-10-17