Pharaohs Solitaire

How to Play Pharaohs — Quick Guide

Goal:
Clear all the cards from the board 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.

Setting Up the Game

Dealing Out the Tableau

Item 1
Pharaohs is Pyramid Solitaire with three times as many pyramids.
Item 2
The first pyramid will be the same one you would deal out in a classic game of Pyramid Solitaire. Start with a single card for the top row. Then, deal two cards for the row underneath it, with both cards partially covering the one in the row above. Repeat, adding one card to each row, until you have a total of 7 rows.
Item 3
Next, deal out the second pyramid, right above the first one. Start with a single card at the top and follow the same procedure, but only deal out 6 rows.
Item 4
The third pyramid will be to the right of the first two. This one only has 3 cards: one for the top row and two in the row below it.
Item 5
Every card in the Tableau is dealt face-up.

Setting Up the Piles

Step 1
When setting up the Tableau, leave room in the top right corner for your Discard pile.

Rules for Playing Pharaohs Pyramid Solitaire

How to Win

Your goal is to eliminate every single card from the Tableau. You win once all 52 cards are in the Discard pile.

Eliminating Cards

You can only eliminate cards that have a combined value of 13. Kings can be eliminated alone — all other cards must be eliminated in pairs.

You cannot eliminate 3 or more cards at a time, even if they have a combined value of 13. Only pairs and Kings can be sent to the Discard pile.

The cards that can be paired are:

Option 1
Ace and 10Ace 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 Pharaohs — 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, you cannot play it until that card has been eliminated.

Other Rules

Rule 1
You cannot add cards back to the Tableau after they have been moved to the Discard pile.

Playing Pharaohs Pyramid Solitaire – The Layout

1.The Pyramid
Create 3 pyramids, one with 28 cards, another with 21 cards, and the last one with only 3 cards.

The Gameplay

1.Eliminate Pairs and King
Find pairs that add up to 13 and send them to the Discard pile.
2.Clear All Three Pyramids
Eliminate cards from any of the three pyramids — you win when every card is in the Discard pile.

Strategies for Pharaohs Pyramid Solitaire

Pharaohs gives you 3 pyramids instead of 1, but that only makes the game more challenging. You’ll need a good dose of luck to clear the Tableau, but you can’t win unless you play strategically:

Clear Cards Strategically
Don’t focus on just one pyramid. Keep your eyes on all 3 so you can always make the most strategic move.
Don’t Rush to Discard the Top Card
Clearing away an entire pyramid is very satisfying, but don’t play any of the top cards if you have other options left. Discarding the top card won’t reveal a new card, so if you can, eliminate one that will.

Similar Games to Pharaohs Pyramid Solitaire

Looking for even more ways to have fun? Consider these similar games:

Game 1
Pyramid Solitaire (Triangle) — A very challenging version of the classic game — with an upside-down pyramid!
Game 2
King Tut (Turn 3) — Pyramid Solitaire, but you draw three cards instead of one!
Game 3
Pyramid Solitaire (Giza) — One Pyramid and 8 piles of cards — can you eliminate them all?

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