Deck:
Pyramid Dozen Solitaire is played with a single standard deck of 52 cards.
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How to Play Pyramid Dozen Solitaire
Quick Guide
Deal Out:
Arrange the cards in the Tableau face-up in a pyramid shape, with 7 cards at the base. Deal out 6 piles with 4 cards each, arranged face-up above the pyramid.
Objective:
Clear all 52 cards from the Tableau.
Discarding:
Eliminate cards in pairs that add up to a value of 12, regardless of their suits. Eliminate Kings and Queens by pairing them together.
The Challenge:
Tear down the pyramid and clear the Tableau — all while adjusting to making pairs of 12 instead of 13.
Difficulty Level:
Pyramid Dozen is a rather challenging Solitaire variant. Dealing out a lucky tableau is a big part of winning, but a bit of skill and strategy will definitely improve your odds.
Setting Up the Game
Dealing Out the Tableau
Item 1
Pyramid Dozen Solitaire is a variant of Giza Solitaire, which means it’s a fully open game. No Stockpiles, no Wastepiles — you start the game with all 52 cards laid out in front of you.
Item 2
Deal out the pyramid first. Start with a single card for the top row. Then, deal two more cards underneath that row, with those cards overlapping the one above it. Add one more card to each row until you’ve dealt out seven rows.
Item 3
Next, deal out 6 piles with 4 cards each, arranging them in a row above the pyramid.
Item 4
Every card in the Tableau is dealt face-up.
Setting Up the Piles
Step 1
When setting up the Tableau, leave room to the side for a Discard pile.
Rules for Playing Pyramid Dozen Solitaire
How to Win
Your goal 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
You can only eliminate cards that have a combined value of 12. And you can only eliminate Kings and Queens by pairing them together.
You cannot eliminate 3 or more cards at once (for instance, a 2, a 4, and a 6 cannot be eliminated together, even though they have a combined value of 12). Only pairs can be sent to the Discard pile.
The pairs you can eliminate are:
Option 1
King and Queen
Option 2
Ace and Jack
Option 3
2 and 10
Option 4
3 and 9
Option 5
4 and 8
Option 6
5 and 7
Option 7
6 and 6
Remark
Suits don’t matter in Pyramid Double Solitaire — all that matters is that the pairs add up to 12.
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.
Other Rules
Rule 1
You cannot move cards out of the Discard pile.
Playing Dozen Pyramid Solitaire – The Layout
1.The Pyramid
28 cards arranged face-up in 7 rows to form a pyramid.
2.The Rest of the Tableau
All the remaining cards are arranged in 6 piles with 4 cards each.
The Gameplay
1.Eliminate Pairs
Find pairs that add up to 12 and send them to the Discard pile.
2.Match Kings and Queens
Eliminate Kings and Queens by pairing them together.
3.Tear Down the Pyramid
Work your way through the pyramid — you must eliminate every card from it to win.
4.Clear the Rest of the Tableau
Even with the pyramid gone, you won’t win until every card is in the Discard pile!
Strategies for Dozen Pyramid Solitaire
Dozen Pyramid Solitaire is a version of Giza Solitaire with two challenging modifications.
First, there are 6 piles instead of 8. That means you get access to fewer cards at once, limiting the number of moves you can make.
Second, pairs must add up to 12. That’s not more difficult than pairing up cards in Giza or other versions of Pyramid Solitaire. But if you’re used to finding pairs that add up to 13, making dozens can be bewildering at first!
Like all versions of Pyramid Solitaire, winning at Dozen Pyramid is partly a matter of luck. But you can improve your odds with a few tips:
Clear Cards Strategically
Don’t just look at the cards you can pair together - look at the cards hiding beneath them, too. When choosing between two cards to eliminate, go for the one that will give you access to a more useful card.
Keep an Eye on the Piles
Clearing cards from the pyramid isn’t always the right move. Working through the piles can be the more strategic course of action.
Reveal Cards Whenever You Can
Clearing the last card is an essential step to winning the game. But it’s always better to eliminate cards that have other cards underneath them first. That will give you more chances to form pairs and clear the Tableau.
Similar Games to Pyramid Solitaire (Dozen)
Looking for even more ways to have fun? Consider these similar games:
Game 1
Pyramid Solitaire — The classic version of the game!
Game 2
Pyramid Solitaire (Giza) — Like Pyramid Dozen, but with pairs that add up to 13!
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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