Ever heard of Pyramid Solitaire? Its name will give you an idea of its tableau setup ? like that of a pyramid. However, it is not the only unique feature of this game. There are certain rules that make it specific and fun to play. So, let's put it into the spotlight and start unraveling its pivotal rules and other significant details.
A Quick Recount of Pyramid Solitaire
The history of this particular Solitaire variation is quite vague. There have been claims that the game was initially invented in the 18th century. However, the most definitive account of Pyramid Solitaire was in 1990, when it was released as part of Microsoft Entertainment Pack 2. But at that time, it was called not Pyramid but Tut's Tomb. The now-popular Pyramid was only released with Windows 8. Even so, it has become one of the best classic versions of Solitaire, which is played by millions of individuals around the world. And if you're in search of a fun, there are many online platforms offering this game supplemented with interesting features.
Rundown of the Basic Guidelines
Pyramid Solitaire has one main goal and that is to remove all the cards from the tableau to the foundation. The question is how do you get rid of the cards? Well, the basic rule is easy: you should make matches of two cards that equate to 13. That means that you can pair any cards regardless of their suits as long as they create a total full sum. Some examples include 6 & 7, 3 & 10, 4 & 9, and so forth. Do take note that Ace is equivalent to 1, Jack is 11, Queen is 12, and King is 13.
What's the Initial Setup?
The tableau of a Pyramid is very easy to recognize since it specifically resembles a triangle of seven rows that consists of 28 face-up cards in total. It starts with one card on the top, then two cards on the next level, and so on.
Aside from the pyramid, the initial layout comes with a stock pile on the left. This is where the remaining face-down cards are gathered. Next to it is a waste pile, where the face-down cards become available to match with the cards from the pyramid. All the successfully paired cards are then transferred to the foundation pile on the right side.
What Are the Allowable Moves?
Now that you have an idea of the gameplay, let's dig deeper into the allowable moves:
Pair cards from the pyramid
The first basic move is by taking both matching cards from the pyramid. When doing so, you must remember that they must be open cards, which means there are no other cards obstructing their way. For instance, the last row contains open cards only. While the cards from the bottom row are getting removed, the upper cards get unlocked gradually, allowing you to continue the matching process. On some online gaming platforms, the pairs are made by simply clicking two cards. Otherwise, you will need to drag a card to the required place.
Open a card from the stock
In case all the open cards can no longer equate to 13, it's time to use the stock pile. When flipping a card from stock, it will be automatically transferred to the waste pile beside it. The face-up card from the waste is now considered as an open card, hence the possibility of pairing it with those from the pyramid. If the card released to the waste pile is still not probable for a sum of 13, then you can continuously click the stock pile until you find the perfect pair.
Reset the stock
All the cards from the waste pile can be transferred back to the stock. You just have to make the stock empty to reset the cards again. Remember that resetting the stock does not mean a new batch of face-down cards. These will be the same cards you have already gone through. You can use the reset button as many times as you need.
On contrary, some Pyramid variations do not allow the resetting option. Once the cards from the stock are transferred to the waste pile, it literally becomes a waste. Other versions also do not have a waste pile but instead a stock of face-up cards. All these special features make Pyramid unique from other games.
Move the king directly
With the conversion mentioned earlier, wherein a King is equivalent to 13, this signifies that it requires no pairing. You can automatically release a King card to the foundation pile. This will reduce unnecessary moves and will help you focus on the available cards.
Use the undo button
For added convenience, many online games have an undo button that is used to re-track a move that you think was wrong. However, just like most Solitaire games, using this special feature has a downside. It's because one click of the undo button means one new move. Consequently, the more you use this feature, the lesser your efficiency. And of course, it's better to complete the game with lesser moves at a faster pace if you want to score high.
A Closer Look on the Winning Percentage of Pyramid
It must be known that Pyramid entails a sizable element of luck. As a result, not all games are winnable! In general, the odds of winning are slimmed down from 0.5 to 5.5%. If there are no more possible moves, leaving you no chance of victory, then you will be notified immediately. Don't worry because you can still start anew. The New Game button is just around the corner to provide you with new chances!
Conclusion
Clearly, Pyramid Solitaire can turn a boring moment into an entertaining and interactive one. All the calculations will surely wake up your senses. So, give this card game a shot and make the most out of your free time!