Vegas, Baby! How to Hit the Jackpot in Pyramid Solitaire (Without Losing Your Shirt)
Alright, listen up, you card sharks and parlor players! You wanna know the lowdown, the whole shebang, on how to conquer Las Vegas Pyramid Solitaire? This ain't your grandma's quiet little patience game, this is a fast-paced, high-stakes version where every move counts like you're playing for the rent money. We’re talkin’ one-pass through the deck, which means you gotta be sharp, swift, and probably mainlining a venti latte. So grab a deck of 52 cards (or just fire up the app, no judgment), and let’s get this party started!
The main jam is clearing that pyramid-shaped pile of cards by pairing 'em up so their value totals a cool 13. Think of 13 as your lucky number, your secret handshake with the Solitaire Gods.
Here's the VIP list of card values—don't forget 'em:
Ace is a lean, mean
Number cards are their face value (2 through 10)
Jack is a sharp
Queen is a regal
King? The King is already a —the King of the castle, baby!
Step 1: The Setup – Building Your Empire
This first part is crucial, like setting the stage for a blockbuster movie. You gotta deal the cards right, or the whole thing's a bust.
1.1. Deal the Pyramid (The Tableau)
Shuffle that deck like you mean it. Now, deal out cards face-up in the iconic pyramid shape:
One card on top (Row 1)
Two cards below it, slightly overlapping the first (Row 2)
Three cards in the next row, and so on...
Keep going until you've got seven cards in the final, bottom row (Row 7).
You should have 28 cards dealt in total. Only cards that are not covered by another card are "exposed" and available for play—these are your money cards.
1.2. Stockpile and Waste Pile Prep
Tip: Pause if your attention drifts.
What's left of the deck—the remaining cards—becomes your Stockpile (sometimes called the Draw Pile). Place this stack face-down nearby.
The space next to it is the Waste Pile (or discard pile). Flip the very top card from the Stockpile face-up and place it to start the Waste Pile. This face-up card is immediately playable.
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| How To Play Las Vegas Pyramid Solitaire |
Step 2: The Core Rule – Making It Total 13
This is where the magic happens. You’re looking for any two exposed cards that add up to .
2.1. The King Exemption
The King is your Get Out of Jail Free card. Since it's already worth , it doesn't need a partner. If a King is exposed in the Pyramid (or on the Waste Pile, though that's rare), whisk it away to the Foundation Pile immediately. Don’t let a King block your moves!
2.2. Perfect Pairings
You gotta memorize these duos like your favorite pizza toppings:
Queen () and Ace ()
Jack () and Two ()
Ten () and Three ()
Nine () and Four ()
Eight () and Five ()
Seven () and Six ()
When you find a pair, remove both cards from play and move them to the Foundation Pile. They are done for the game.
Tip: Reading with intent makes content stick.
Step 3: Gameplay – The Vegas Grind
You only get one single pass through the Stockpile in the "Las Vegas" version. That's right, one shot—no going back for seconds! This is why you gotta play smart.
3.1. Prioritize the Pyramid
Your number one goal, your North Star, is to clear those pyramid cards. Before you flip a new card from the Stockpile, check every exposed card in the Pyramid.
Can you pair two Pyramid cards? Do it. This is the best move because it clears two pyramid cards without using a precious Stockpile card.
Can you pair an exposed Pyramid card with the top card of the Waste Pile? Go for it. This also clears a pyramid card.
3.2. Drawing from the Stockpile
If you're stuck, if the Pyramid is giving you the cold shoulder, flip the next card from the Stockpile onto the Waste Pile. This new card might be the partner you need for an exposed Pyramid card, or even the previous Waste Pile card!
If the new card helps make a pair, take the pair out. If it doesn't, it just sits on top of the Waste Pile, covering the card below it (which is now unplayable). Remember: only the top card of the Waste Pile is playable.
Tip: Look out for transitions like ‘however’ or ‘but’.
3.3. Uncovering the Goods
Every pair you remove frees up the cards they were overlapping. This is the key to winning. Always look a move ahead—which pair will unlock the most new possibilities?
Italicize this: Focus on removing cards that are blocking multiple cards below them! That's the high-IQ play.
Step 4: Game End – The Big Win (or Bust)
So, how do you know when you’ve hit the Solitaire jackpot?
The game is WON when you have successfully removed every single card from the Pyramid to the Foundation. If you clear the Pyramid, it doesn't matter if you have cards left in the Stockpile or Waste Pile—you are a winner! Give yourself a high five, you earned it.
The game is LOST when you've cycled through the one permitted pass of the Stockpile and there are no more possible pairs to remove cards from the Pyramid. When you're out of moves and cards are still chilling in the Pyramid, it’s game over, man. Better luck next time.
Bold this: Strategy Tip: Always try to free up the cards at the bottom row first, as they are blocking the most cards above them! It’s like knocking out the bottom Jenga block—high risk, high reward.
Tip: Take your time with each sentence.
FAQ Questions and Answers
How to Calculate Card Values in Las Vegas Pyramid Solitaire? Aces are 1, number cards are face value, Jacks are 11, Queens are 12, and Kings are 13.
How to Play a King in Pyramid Solitaire? Kings are worth 13 and are played immediately, by themselves, as they don't need a partner to equal 13.
How to Win Las Vegas Pyramid Solitaire? You win by pairing and removing all 28 cards from the Pyramid tableau. It doesn't matter if you have cards left in the Stockpile.
How to Use the Stockpile in the Las Vegas Version? You can only go through the Stockpile once. Draw cards one at a time and place them face-up on the Waste Pile, using the top card for pairings.
How to Tell if a Card is Playable? Only cards in the Pyramid that are fully uncovered (not overlapped by any other card) are playable, along with the very top card of the Waste Pile.
How to Maximize Your Moves? Prioritize pairing two exposed cards from the Pyramid first, as this saves your Stockpile draws.
How to Deal the Cards for Setup? Deal 28 cards face-up in a pyramid of seven rows (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 cards per row), with the rows overlapping. The rest become the face-down Stockpile.
How to Handle Cards That Don't Match? If a card from the Stockpile doesn't make a match, it gets placed face-up on the Waste Pile, covering any card below it.
How to Know When the Game is Lost? The game is lost if you have gone through your single pass of the Stockpile and there are still cards remaining in the Pyramid tableau with no possible matches.
How to Strategically Clear the Pyramid? Focus on removing cards that are blocking multiple cards deeper in the pyramid. Work as evenly as possible to avoid leaving isolated, blocked cards.
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