How to Play Apophis Pyramid Solitaire

Quick Guide

Goal:
Clear all the cards — from both the pyramid and the deck — by making pairs that add up to 13.
Cards:
You can only remove cards that aren’t covered by others.
A = 1, J = 11, Q = 12. Example pairs: 5+8, J+2, Q+A. K = 13, so it’s removed automatically.
Stockpile and Waste Pile:
Click the deck to deal 1 card into each of 3 separate waste piles.
You can use the top card from any waste pile to make a pair with another waste card or a card from the pyramid.
You get 2 passes through the deck.

Setting Up the Game

Dealing Out the Tableau

In Apophis Pyramid Solitaire, the tableau consists of 28 cards, arranged in a pyramid.

Start by dealing out the top card, face-up. Then, deal two more cards (face-up again) underneath that row, so that both cards in the second row overlap the one above it. Add one more card to each row until you’ve dealt out seven rows.

Setting Up the Piles

Step 1
The cards that are left after dealing out the Tableau will be stacked face-up. That’s your Stockpile.
Step 2
Next to the Stockpile, you will have three spaces arranged side-by-side. These are your Wastepiles.
Step 3
The Discard pile is off to the side.

Rules for Playing Apophis Pyramid Solitaire

How to Win

Your objective is to eliminate every single card from play and send them to the Discard pile. You win once all 52 cards have been discarded.

Eliminating Cards

Only cards with a combined value of 13 can be eliminated. Kings can be eliminated alone. Other cards must be eliminated in pairs.

You cannot eliminate 3 or more cards at once (for instance, an Ace, a 2, and a 10 cannot be eliminated together, even though they have a combined value of 13). Only pairs and Kings can be sent to the Discard pile.

The pairs that can be eliminated are:

Option 1
Ace and Queen
Option 2
2 and Jack
Option 3
3 and 10
Option 4
4 and 9
Option 5
5 and 8
Option 6
6 and 7

Remark

Suits don’t matter in Apophis — all that matters is that the pairs add up to 13.

You can only pair cards that are fully exposed. If another card covers or overlaps it, it cannot be played until that card is eliminated.

Drawing From the Stockpile

Rule 1
You can draw from the Stockpile at any point in the game.
Rule 2
You must draw 3 cards at once, one for each of the Wastepiles.
Rule 3
The cards drawn from the Stockpile are arranged face-up on top of the Wastepiles.
Rule 4
You can only play the top card from each of the piles.
Rule 5
You can only cycle through the Stockpile twice.

Other Rules

Rule 1
You cannot add cards back to the pyramid to fill the empty spaces in the Tableau.
Rule 2
Cards cannot be moved out of the Discard pile.

Playing Apophis Pyramid Solitaire – The Layout

1.The Tableau
28 cards arranged face-up in 7 rows to form a pyramid.
2.The Stockpile
All remaining cards go face-up into the Stockpile.
3.The Wastepile
Drawing from the Stockpile moves one card to the top of each of the 3 Wastepiles.

The Gameplay

1.Eliminate Pairs and King
Find pairs that add up to 13 and send them to the Discard pile.
2.Topple the Pyramid
Work your way through the pyramid — you need to eliminate every card from it to win.
3.Clear the Wastepiles
Leave no card behind — eliminate every card from the Stockpile and Wastepiles too!

Strategies for Pyramid Solitaire (Apophis)

Apophis is a version of Pyramid Solitaire with three Wastepiles instead of one. Like Pyramid Solitaire, it’s a fairly easy game and winning is partly a matter of luck. But you can still improve your odds with a few tips:

Don’t be quick to draw
You can only cycle through your Stockpile twice, so only draw when you absolutely need to.
Think two steps ahead
When you can choose between two cards to clear from the Tableau, consider the cards underneath them. Eliminate the card that will reveal another card you can play — or a more advantageous one.
Keep your eye on the Wastepiles
It’s easy to get laser-focused on dismantling the pyramid, but remember that you have to clear the Wastepiles too. When you can’t eliminate any more cards from the Tableau, see if you can discard any from the Wastepiles before drawing again.

Similar Games to Pyramid Solitaire (Apophis)

Game 1
Pyramid Solitaire — The classic version of the game with only one Wastepile!
Game 2
Pyramid Solitaire (Anubis) — A two-deck version of Apophis with a bigger pyramid!
Game 3
Dark Pyramid Solitaire — Pyramid Solitaire with a challenging twist — most of the cards in the Tableau are face-down!

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