Overview
Pyramid Solitaire is a single-player matching puzzle. Cards are removed in pairs whose rank values total 13, gradually exposing the cards above them.
Objective
Remove all 28 cards from the pyramid. Clearing the pyramid wins the deal even if stock or waste cards remain.
Setup
Cardems deals 28 face-up cards in a seven-row pyramid, with one card in the top row and seven in the bottom. The remaining 24 cards form a face-down stock; the waste pile begins empty.
How to Play
- Select two exposed cards whose values total 13 and remove them. Ace counts as 1, Jack as 11, Queen as 12, and King as 13.
- Remove an exposed King by itself; it needs no partner.
- Use either an exposed pyramid card or the top waste card in a pair. For example, an exposed 4 can pair with a waste 9.
- Draw one stock card to the waste when no useful pair is available.
- When the stock is empty, recycle the waste into a face-down stock and continue.
Important Rules
- Valid pairs are Ace–Queen, 2–Jack, 3–10, 4–9, 5–8, and 6–7. Suits do not matter.
- Kings clear singly and score as one removed card.
- The top waste card may pair with an exposed pyramid card; cards beneath the waste top are not available.
- Cardems permits waste recycling whenever stock is empty and waste has cards. The recycle turns the waste face down and costs points; there is no redeal limit.
- Undo restores a prior selection, removal, draw, or recycle state.
Scoring and Winning
Every removed card is worth 10 points: a King scores 10 and a pair scores 20. Recycling costs 10 points, never dropping the displayed score below zero.
When the final pyramid card leaves, Cardems adds 100 points plus 5 points for every stock and waste card left. For example, clearing the pyramid with 8 stock cards and 2 waste cards remaining gives a 150-point win bonus.
Strategy
Keep the waste top in mind before drawing. A visible waste 9 makes exposed 4s valuable; drawing can bury that 9 until the next recycle. Clear Kings early when doing so opens cards, but do not overlook a pair that unlocks two positions.
FAQ
Can a King pair with another card?
No. A King has value 13 and clears alone.
Do the cards need to be the same suit?
No. Only the values matter.
Can I use a waste card in a pair?
Yes. The top waste card can pair with an exposed pyramid card.
How many times can I recycle the waste?
Cardems allows a recycle whenever the stock is empty and the waste has cards. Each recycle costs 10 points.
