Solitaire has to be the most popular card game in the world. Pyramid Solitaire is one of the more challenging versions. All versions of solitaire aim to remove everything from the table. Each variety achieves this differently. Most are based on pairings of cards or numerical sequences. You can very easily paint yourself into a corner and your progress can grind to a halt despite the game’s simple concept. Similar to any other type of solitaire, pyramid solitaire’s goal is to remove all of the cards. Pyramid solitaire involves stacking cards in a pyramid. Pyramid sizes vary depending on the game you are playing.
Combinations of 13 are required to remove cards. Pairing cards that total 13 will accomplish this. King is the only exception since it is already worth 13. The remaining cards have the following values:
- Queen = 12
- Jack = 11
- Ace = 1
- The rest of the cards are equal to the number shown on them
Cards are removed as you make combinations of 13. If you can’t remove cards directly from the pyramid, you can combine them with cards in the stack at the bottom. Upon reading that, you probably thought it sounded fairly simple. To be honest, it’s quite easy, but only to a point. These two easy tips will improve your scores and chances of winning:
Always Play At Speed
In the game, you get time bonuses. As you remove cards faster, you get more time bonuses. In the end, you can stop the game if you run out of options.
Think a Few Steps Ahead
Giving yourself more options is the idea here. Avoid removing a card that only covers one card if you have two cards of the same value. In that case, both cards will be turned face up, giving you more options.
Put these two tips to work and you’ll be a pyramid solitaire pro in no time.