Pyramid Card Game

Pyramid Card Game or Pyramid Solitaire is a card game whose goal is to clear all the cards arranged in a pyramid. The pyramid has 28 cards set in seven rows, each with one more card than the above row. The leftover cards make up the draw pile.

To clear the pyramid, you need to pair cards that sum up to 13. Kings are special since they are worth 13 and can be removed independently. Cards can only be paired if no other cards block them, meaning they must be fully uncovered. The game ends when you’ve made all possible pairs or when no more moves can be made. If you’re a fan of card games, don’t miss out on BLITZPOKER, India’s most trusted and favourite go-to destination for online poker.

The Objective of The Game

In the Pyramid Card Game or Pyramid Solitaire, the goal is to clear all the cards in the Pyramid. You do this by pairing two cards whose ranks add up to 13. For instance, you can pair a 3 with a 10 or a 5 with an 8. An ace counts as 1, a Jack as 11, a Queen as 12, and a King as 13.

Gameplay

The game board in Pyramid Solitaire consists of four key parts:

1. The Pyramid: Made up of 28 cards arranged in 7 rows. Each card in a row is partially covered by two cards from the row above.

2. The Stock: A facedown pile located at the bottom left of the board. It’s where you draw cards from to place on the Waste pile.

3. The Waste: A faceup pile next to the Stock. You can match these cards with those in the Pyramid to remove them. For instance, if there’s a 4 in the Waste and a 9 open in the Pyramid, dragging the 4 onto the 9 moves both cards to the Foundation, taking them out of the game.

4. The Foundation: A pile at the bottom right where cards removed from the Pyramid are placed.

The goal of the game is to match cards so their combined ranks equal 13. Cards available to play include any uncovered card in the Pyramid and the top card on the Waste pile. Initially, all cards in the Pyramid’s bottom row are playable. As you clear cards from lower rows, the cards in the upper rows become available.

Card Values

• Aces: 1 point
• Jacks: 11 points
• Queens: 12 points
• Kings: 13 points (can be discarded on their own)

Possible Discard Combinations:

• King: Discard alone
• Queen + Ace
• Jack + Any 2
• 10 + Any 3
• 9 + Any 4
• 8 + Any 5
• 7 + Any 6

Valid Moves

• Flip cards from the Stock to the Waste. You do this by clicking on the top card of the Stock.
• Move the top card in the Waste pile onto an open Pyramid card. To do this, either drag the top Waste card onto a Pyramid card or click on the Waste card and then click the Pyramid card. The Pyramid card must not be covered by any card from a lower row for this move to work.
• Move one Pyramid card onto another. Both Pyramid cards must be uncovered for this move to work. You can either drag one card onto the other or click one card and then click the other.
• Move a Pyramid card onto a card it’s covering. For example, if a 4 is covering a 9, and the other card covering the 9 has been removed, you can move the 4 onto the 9. If another card is still covering the 9, you can’t make this move. Some versions of Pyramid Solitaire allow this move, and it’s allowed in this version.
• Reset the Stock when it’s empty. Once all the cards from the Stock are in the Waste, click the RESET button to move the Waste cards back to the Stock. You can reset the Stock as many times as needed in this version.
• Move a King to the Foundation. The goal is to move cards whose ranks add up to 13 to the Foundation. A King counts as 13 by itself, so you can move it to the Foundation by clicking on it or dragging it manually.
• You are allowed to undo as many times as you wish to. The game offers an unlimited number of undos, but you must know that each undo counts as a new move. Be careful with how many undos you use if you’re trying to win the game in as few moves as possible.

How to Play Pyramid Card Game?

Here’s how to play Pyramid Solitaire. Remember, if you can’t match and remove all the cards, you lose.

1. Pair Cards That Add Up to 13

Look at the tableau. Find exposed cards—cards that aren’t covered by others. You can only match cards from the seventh row or higher. When you find a pair that adds up to 13, place them in the foundation pile. Cards in the foundation pile can’t be used again.

2. Use the Stockpile to Continue Play

If you can’t make any more moves on the tableau, draw a card from the stockpile. Place it in the waste pile and see if it can be paired with a card on the tableau. You can go through the stockpile a maximum of three times. If you go through it for the third time and still have cards left on the tableau, you lose the game.

3. Clear the Tableau In Order to Win

The goal here has to be to match all the pairs on the tableau. When you match all the cards, you win!

Pyramid Solitaire Strategies to Win

Here are some tips if you get stuck while playing Pyramid Solitaire.

1. Clear as much of one row as possible. Working row by row helps avoid blocking cards and lets you use them in future moves.

2. Play kings as soon as possible. Kings are worth 13, so playing them early frees up space on the tableau and uncovers new cards.

3. Focus on tableau cards first. Your main goal should be to remove tableau cards before using stockpile cards. This strategy clears more cards and saves stockpile cards for important moves.

4. Always assess the tableau. Keep an eye on the tableau and think ahead. This helps avoid blocking a card or using a stockpile card you might need later.

5. Count the cards and remember what’s in the stockpile. There are four of each card, so counting helps you plan your moves. Track cards as you play and check if you can make pairs.

6. Use the stockpile carefully. Only rely on the stockpile as a last resort. You can cycle through it three times, so use it wisely and focus on the tableau first.

7. Use the undo button smartly. The undo button is a great tool. Use it to correct mistakes or try different moves.