Double Pyramid Solitaire is an online solitaire card game that builds on the classic Pyramid solitaire concept. This patience game uses two full decks of cards and features a distinctive layout shaped like two overlapping card pyramids, hence the name. The goal is simple to learn but challenging to achieve: clear all the cards by pairing them into combinations that add up to 13 (for example, pairing an Ace (1) with a Queen (12) or a 3 with a 10). Kings are unique because they count as 13 on their own, so they can be removed without a pair. You can play Double Pyramid free in your browser (no download needed), making it a convenient and fun pastime for casual players and seniors alike. Solitaire games like this one are actually beneficial for older adults, helping to maintain cognitive function and provide relaxing mental stimulation with their simple, low-pressure gameplay. In this guide, we’ll cover the history of Double Pyramid, its rules, a step-by-step tutorial, tips and strategies for success, common mistakes to avoid, and some interesting trivia about the game.
History and Origin of Double Pyramid
Double Pyramid is a modern variant of Pyramid Solitaire created by game designer Thomas Warfield, who is known for his extensive Pretty Good Solitaire collection. Warfield essentially took the classic single-deck Pyramid game and “doubled the deck” to ramp up the challenge. This means the layout merges two pyramid structures into one large pyramid of cards. The bottom row has nine cards instead of the usual seven, effectively combining two smaller pyramids into a single large one. Double Pyramid first appeared as part of Warfield’s digital solitaire collection and has since spread to various online platforms. Despite being a recent creation, it quickly gained a niche following among card puzzle enthusiasts for its retro feel and higher difficulty. In fact, only about 8% of Double Pyramid deals are winnable on average, making it a notoriously challenging solitaire game to beat. This history gives the game a bit of mystique – players know that every win is a true accomplishment!
Rules of the Game
The rules of Double Pyramid Solitaire will feel familiar to anyone who has played Pyramid or similar solitaire games. However, the setup uses two decks (104 cards) and a larger pyramid layout. Here are the key rules and objective to keep in mind:
- Layout: The game deals 50 cards face-up into a pyramid-shaped tableau with two overlapping peaks (using two decks in total). The pyramid starts with one card at the top row, two cards in the second row, and continues row by row (3, 4, 5, etc.) until the bottom row contains 9 cards. The cards are overlapped such that each card rests on two cards beneath it (except the bottom row). Any card that does not have another card covering it is considered “exposed” or uncovered, and only these exposed cards are available to play at any given time. The remaining cards (104 total minus the 50 in the pyramid) form a stock pile set aside face-down.
Illustration: A standard Pyramid Solitaire layout with 7 rows. Double Pyramid uses two such pyramids combined into a larger layout of 9 rows at the base. This means more cards to clear and more possible pairs, making the game extra challenging while following the same pairing rules as the classic Pyramid game.
Pairing Cards: Just like in classic Pyramid, you remove cards by making pairs that sum to 13. Any two exposed cards can be paired if their ranks add up to 13. For example, you can pair a Queen (12) with an Ace (1), a Jack (11) with a 2, a 10 with a 3, a 9 with a 4, or an 8 with a 5, and a 7 with a 6. Each valid pair is discarded out of play. Kings are special – since a King is worth 13 points by itself, it can be removed alone as a single-card discard. Removing cards will gradually uncover the ones beneath, making them available for play in turn.
Using the Stock and Waste: If you cannot make any pair from the exposed cards in the pyramids, you turn to the stock pile. You may flip the top card of the stock onto a waste pile, turning it face up. The top card of the waste pile is then considered “exposed” and can be paired with any exposed card in the pyramid. You continue flipping through the stock one card at a time, looking for matches. You are allowed to go through the stock pile up to two times in Double Pyramid (i.e. two passes or redeals). This means after reaching the end of the stock, you can shuffle or reset the waste back into the stock and go through it once more to try to find any missed pairs. After two passes through the stock with no remaining moves, if there are still cards left in the pyramid, the game ends as a loss.
Winning the Game: The game is won when you have successfully removed all cards from both the pyramid layout and the stock/waste by forming the required pairs. If the stock is exhausted and no moves remain while cards are still on the board, you lose and can start a new game to try again. Because not every deal is solvable, don’t be discouraged by losses – persistence and strategy make eventual wins very satisfying!
How to Play Double Pyramid: Step-by-Step Guide
Now that you know the rules, let’s walk through a step-by-step guide on how to play a typical game of Double Pyramid Solitaire. Follow these steps to get started:
Deal the Layout: Begin by dealing 50 cards face-up into the shape of two interlocking pyramids. The top row will have 1 card, the second row 2 cards, continuing in this fashion until the bottom row has 9 cards total. The pyramid will visually have two “peaks” sharing a wide base. All remaining cards (there will be 54 left from the two decks) are set aside face-down as the stock pile. No cards are flipped from the stock yet.
Find and Remove Pairs: Look at the pyramid tableau for any exposed cards that can be paired. Remove any two uncovered cards that add up to 13 by discarding them from play. For example, if an exposed Queen and Ace are available, you can remove them together since 12 + 1 = 13. Likewise, a Ten and Three make 13, and so on. If a King is exposed, you can discard it immediately by itself, since it’s worth 13 on its own. Each time you remove a pair (or a King), you free up the cards beneath, if any, making new cards in the lower rows exposed. Always prioritize removing pairs that free up additional cards underneath, especially those that uncover new cards in the pyramid.
Use the Stock When Stuck: Continue pairing as long as there are moves available in the pyramid. If you reach a point where no exposed pairs can be made, turn to the stock pile for help. Flip the top card of the stock face-up onto a waste pile. Try to pair this waste card with any exposed card in the pyramid. If it forms a 13 with an available pyramid card, discard that pair. If not, it stays in the waste. You can then flip the next stock card and attempt to pair that, possibly with either an exposed pyramid card or the top card of the waste pile. Proceed through the stock one card at a time in this manner. You are allowed up to two passes through the stock – in other words, you can go through all stock cards and even reset and go through them once more. Use these stock cards wisely to eliminate stubborn pairs in the pyramid. Remember, only the top card of the waste (the most recently flipped card) is available to pair at any given time.
Clear All Cards to Win: Keep removing pairs from the pyramid and using the stock cards until you either clear all the cards or run out of moves. To win, eliminate every card from both the pyramid and the stock/waste by pairing them up appropriately. If you manage to dismantle the entire double pyramid, congratulations – you’ve solved the puzzle! If you exhaust the stock (including all allowed redeals) and still have unpaired cards left in the pyramid with no possible moves, the game is lost at that point. Don’t worry if you lose; Double Pyramid is known to be difficult, so it often takes multiple tries and a good strategy to win. Simply shuffle and deal a new game to play again.
By following these steps, you’ll get the hang of the gameplay. Next, let’s look at some tips to improve your chances of success in this challenging game.
Tips and Strategies for Success
While luck plays a role in which cards you’re dealt, a good strategy can greatly improve your odds of winning Double Pyramid. Here are some helpful tips and strategies to keep in mind:
Clear one row at a time: Focus on removing cards from one row of the pyramid as much as possible before moving to deeper rows. By clearing a full row (especially the bottom row) systematically, you avoid leaving “orphaned” cards that are blocked by multiple layers. This approach ensures you always free up new cards for play and don’t accidentally trap a card under an uncovered pair.
Play Kings immediately: Kings have no pairing partner since they count as 13 alone. If you see an exposed King, discard it right away. Removing Kings immediately will clear space and potentially expose additional cards beneath. There’s no strategic benefit to holding onto a King, so get it off the board as soon as you can.
Prioritize pyramid cards over stock cards: Always look for moves within the pyramid tableau first, and use the stock only when necessary. Every pair you remove from the pyramid directly advances you toward victory, whereas using stock cards too early might waste potential matches. Save your stock cards to bail you out when there are no moves left in the pyramid, rather than using them at the first opportunity.
Plan ahead and think twice: Take a moment to assess the pyramid layout before making a move. If multiple pairs are available, consider which pair will unlock more cards or which move might block you if taken in the wrong order. Try to anticipate the consequences of removing certain cards. For example, if two possible pairs are available, removing one might expose a new card that forms another pair, whereas removing the other pair might not. Choosing the move that creates new opportunities is usually best. In short, don’t rush – thoughtful play is rewarded in solitaire.
Keep track of card counts: Since Double Pyramid uses two decks, there are eight of each rank in total. If you’ve seen all eight of a given rank removed, you know that rank won’t appear again. Where possible, mentally note which high-value cards (Jack, Queen, King) have been used. This can prevent fruitless searches for matches (for instance, if all Queens are already gone, you won’t find a match for any remaining Aces). Skilled players often count cards and remember which values are still “live,” as this can inform their pairing decisions. This tip can be a bit advanced, so don’t worry if you don’t track every card – even a rough sense of what’s left can help.
Use the stock wisely (and sparingly): Treat the stock pile as a limited resource. You get at most two full passes through it, so don’t cycle through the stock too quickly without careful thought. Before flipping from the stock, double-check the pyramid for any possible pair you might have missed. When you do use the stock, try to pair each waste card if you can, so you don’t burn through the deck without effect. If playing on an online platform, remember you often have an Undo button – you can undo a waste flip if it didn’t result in a useful match, to conserve your stock for later.
Take advantage of hints and undos (online): If you’re playing Double Pyramid Solitaire online (for example, on SolitaireX.io), you typically have access to a Hint feature and an Undo button. Don’t hesitate to use the Hint if you get stuck – it can highlight a possible pair you overlooked, which is great for learning the game’s patterns. Likewise, Undo is your friend; it allows you to backtrack on moves. This is especially useful if you realize a different sequence of moves could lead to a better outcome. Using undo, you can experiment with alternate strategies without penalty, which is a fantastic way to improve your skills over time.
By applying these strategies, you’ll improve your decision-making and hopefully increase that modest ~8% win rate a bit! Even if victory remains elusive, remember that every game is good practice and a fun exercise for the mind.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Beginning players (and even experienced ones) can sometimes fall into certain common pitfalls when playing Double Pyramid. Being aware of these mistakes can help you avoid them:
Removing cards randomly without a plan: Every move in Pyramid solitaire should serve a purpose. Avoid pairing cards just because they add to 13 – try to pair cards that will uncover new cards or remove a problematic card. Pairing two cards that don’t free up any new card (for example, two cards both in the bottom row that aren’t covering others) might be a wasted move early on, especially if one of those cards could have paired with a different card to clear a row. Always consider the structure of the pyramid and prefer moves that make progress (such as clearing a row or revealing a face-down card).
Leaving Kings unplayed: A common oversight is to ignore an exposed King. Since Kings can be discarded on their own, there’s rarely a reason to leave a King sitting on the board. Forgetting to remove a King wastes an opportunity to open up space. Make it a habit to clear Kings as soon as they become available, so they don’t act as blockers on the tableau.
Wasting the stock pile too early: Some players flip through the stock pile rapidly at the first sign of trouble. This is a mistake because you might burn through your limited stock passes without solving the real issue in the pyramid. Instead, use the stock only as a last resort when no other moves exist, and even then, use it slowly and deliberately. Each stock card is precious – if you flip too fast, you could miss pairing opportunities or run out of cards to draw when you truly need them. Remember, you only get two runs through the stock in Double Pyramid, so make them count.
Not planning two or three moves ahead: Pyramid games often require thinking ahead. A mistake to avoid is making the first available pair without considering the consequences. For example, pairing a card that exposes an unusable card (like a card that has no possible partner) might be less optimal than pairing a different set that exposes a card which can immediately pair with something else. Take your time to foresee possible outcomes. If you remove pair A, what will you be able to do next versus if you remove pair B first? Avoid moves that lead to dead ends. This kind of foresight grows with practice, so keep practicing and you’ll get better at spotting the productive moves.
Getting discouraged by losses: Double Pyramid has a very low win rate (only roughly one game in twelve is winnable on average). A common mistake is assuming every game is solvable and feeling frustrated when you can’t win. In reality, even perfect play cannot win an unsolvable deal, so don’t let a loss shake your confidence. Instead of viewing a loss as a failure, see it as a learning opportunity. Patience is key – the more you play, the more you’ll recognize patterns and improve your strategy. Enjoy the process of the challenge, and celebrate the wins that do come your way, knowing they are well-earned.
By steering clear of these mistakes, you’ll give yourself a better shot at mastering Double Pyramid Solitaire. It’s a tough game, but that challenge is exactly what makes it engaging and rewarding.
Interesting Facts and Trivia about Double Pyramid
Beyond the basics of gameplay, Double Pyramid Solitaire has its own little quirks and interesting tidbits. Here are a few fun facts and pieces of trivia about the game:
Inventor and Origins: Unlike many classic solitaire games with hazy origins, we know exactly who invented Double Pyramid. Thomas Warfield, a well-known solitaire game designer, created Double Pyramid and included it in his Pretty Good Solitaire software collection. Warfield described it as a two-deck twist on Pyramid that he came up with to offer players an extra challenge. This pedigree makes Double Pyramid a modern addition to the solitaire world, rather than a centuries-old game.
Unique Layout – Two Pyramids in One: The layout of Double Pyramid is essentially two pyramids merged into one big pyramid. The overlapping design with nine cards on the base row is unusual and gives the game its name. Visually, it’s striking and a bit intimidating at first glance – a reminder that you’re dealing with twice as many cards as the normal Pyramid solitaire. This larger layout increases the complexity and the difficulty of the game, as evidenced by the low win rate.
Difficulty and Win Rate: Double Pyramid is known as one of the harder solitaire puzzles out there. On average, only about 8% of deals are winnable for the average player. This means you’ll win roughly 1 out of 12 games, which is actually higher than the win rate of classic single-deck Pyramid under strict rules (which is around 2% or 1 in 50), but it’s still quite challenging. The silver lining is that when you do win, it feels very satisfying! 🎉 Don’t be surprised if you find yourself playing “just one more game” for a chance at that rare victory.
Pyramid Solitaire Family: Double Pyramid is part of a whole family of Pyramid solitaire variants. Many of these games introduce their own twists while keeping the same pairing-to-13 concept. For example, Tut’s Tomb (King Tut Solitaire) is a popular variant where three cards are dealt at once from the stock instead of one, offering a different strategy angle. Apophis Solitaire gives you three waste piles instead of one, making the game a bit easier by providing more chances to match cards. There’s also Pyramid Dozen, which changes the pairing total to 12 instead of 13 for a fresh challenge. Each of these variants has its unique flavor, but Double Pyramid stands out as the only one that doubles the deck and pyramid size for an extra level of difficulty. If you enjoy Pyramid solitaire games, it’s fun to try these other versions as well and see how they compare.
Now that you’ve learned about Double Pyramid from all angles, you might be itching to try it out yourself. Below, we’ll wrap up with an invitation to play this game online and put your new knowledge into practice!
Play Double Pyramid Solitaire Online at SolitaireX.io
Learning about Double Pyramid is one thing, but the real fun is in playing the game and experiencing its retro card puzzle charm firsthand. The good news is you can jump right in and play Double Pyramid Solitaire for free online. For an easy and accessible experience, head over to SolitaireX.io, where Double Pyramid is available to play anytime in your web browser. On SolitaireX.io, you’ll find a user-friendly interface ideal for both casual players and seniors – with features like optional hints and an undo button to help you out if you get stuck, plus readable cards and a relaxing design.
Why play on SolitaireX.io? The site offers a vibrant, nostalgia-inspired look (imagine an 80s arcade vibe) that makes the game even more enjoyable. You won’t need to download anything or sign up – just click and play. You can challenge yourself to clear the double pyramid, and even track your progress with statistics or compete for faster times on the leaderboard if you’re feeling competitive.
So, if you’re ready to put your new skills and strategies to the test, give Double Pyramid a try on SolitaireX.io. It’s a wonderful way to have fun, keep your mind sharp, and maybe even conquer one of the toughest solitaire games out there. Good luck, and enjoy the game!