Rules for Pyramid

Pyramid is a popular solitaire game with a distinctive pyramid formation. The goal is to remove all cards from the pyramid by pairing cards that add up to 13. It's a game primarily based on luck, but also requires some strategy and planning. The probability of winning is about 1 in 50 with the strictest rules.

Pyramid has many names and variations, and has been known in various forms since the 1800s. It became particularly popular after Microsoft included a version called "Tut's Tomb" in their entertainment pack in the 1990s.

You need a standard deck of 52 cards (no jokers). Deal the cards in a pyramid shape:

• Row 1 (top): 1 card
• Row 2: 2 cards partially covering the card above
• Row 3: 3 cards partially covering the cards above
• Row 4: 4 cards
• Row 5: 5 cards
• Row 6: 6 cards
• Row 7 (bottom): 7 cards

A total of 28 cards are used for the pyramid, all face up. The remaining 24 cards are placed in a pile (the stock) face down beside the pyramid.

In Pyramid, cards have the following values:

• Ace = 1
• Number cards (2-10) = face value
• Jack = 11
• Queen = 12
• King = 13

Valid pairs that add up to 13:

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

The goal is to remove all cards from the pyramid by forming pairs that total 13:

• Only cards that are completely uncovered (not covered by other cards) can be paired
• At the start, only the 7 cards in the bottom row are available
• When cards are removed, the cards above them become available
• Kings (value 13) can be removed alone without pairing
• You can pair cards from the pyramid with each other, or a pyramid card with the top card from the waste pile

When you can't make any more moves, turn one card at a time from the stock to the waste pile. The top card of the waste pile is always available for pairing.

There are different rules for how many times you can go through the stock:

• Strict variant: You can only go through the stock once. When all cards are turned and you can't make more moves, the game is over
• Standard variant: You can turn over the waste pile and use it as a new stock up to 3 times total
• Unlimited variant: You can turn over the waste pile as many times as you want

The more passes allowed, the easier the game becomes.

There are two ways to define victory:

• Classic win: All 52 cards must be removed (both the pyramid and all cards in the stock/waste pile)
• Relaxed win: Only the pyramid's 28 cards need to be removed to win

The game is lost if you can't make any more valid moves and still have cards left in the pyramid (and possibly no more stock passes remaining).

While Pyramid is mainly based on luck, these tips can increase your chances of winning:

• Remove Kings immediately: Since Kings can be removed alone, they should always be removed as soon as they become available
• Plan ahead: Look at the pyramid before starting and identify which cards are blocking other cards
• Prioritize pyramid cards: If you can choose between pairing two pyramid cards or a pyramid card with the waste pile, choose the pyramid cards
• Keep the pyramid balanced: Try to remove cards evenly from both sides to avoid cards getting trapped
• Save the stock: Don't turn cards from the stock until you've made all possible moves in the pyramid
• Remember played cards: Keep track of which cards have already been discarded

There are many exciting variations of Pyramid:

• Tut's Tomb: A variant where the King of ♠️ is placed first as "King Tutankhamun" on top of the pyramid. Three cards are turned at a time from the stock
• Apophis: Uses three waste piles instead of one
• Giza: After the pyramid is dealt, the rest is dealt as three rows of eight cards
• Double Pyramid: Two pyramids side by side with a shared waste pile
• Tri-Peaks: Three overlapping pyramids that must be cleared
• Par Pyramid: Allows the waste pile to be turned over and used as a new stock twice

Many digital versions use scoring systems to make the game more engaging:

• Remove a pair: 50-100 points
• Remove a King: 100-500 points
• Clear the pyramid: 5000-15000 bonus points
• Time bonus: Starts high and counts down while you play
• Round bonus: Increases for each round you complete

Perfect score is achieved by removing all cards as quickly as possible with the fewest moves.