What AARP Pyramid Solitaire is and how to play it

AARP Pyramid Solitaire is a card game available through AARP's website and mobile app. It is a variation of traditional solitaire where cards are arranged in a pyramid shape, and you remove pairs of cards that add up to 13. The game is free to play and requires no read beyond accessing the AARP site or installing the AARP Games app.

The basic rule is straightforward: you match two cards whose values total 13. A King (13) can be removed alone. A Queen (12) pairs with an Ace (1), a Jack (11) pairs with a 2, and so on. You draw from a deck at the bottom of the screen when you run out of visible matches. The goal is to clear the entire pyramid before the deck runs out.

Unlike some solitaire games, Pyramid Solitaire rewards patience and planning. You do not have to make a match when ready—you can hold cards in a temporary storage area (called the "waste pile") and use them later. This means you can sometimes undo a poor choice by leaving a card in storage rather than playing it right away.

Key Takeaways

  • Pyramid Solitaire is played by matching two cards that add up to 13, with Kings removed alone.
  • The game is free and available on the AARP website and through the AARP Games mobile app for iPhone and Android.
  • You can store cards temporarily in the waste pile to plan ahead and avoid getting stuck.
  • No account or personal information is required to play casual games on AARP's site.

Where to play AARP Pyramid Solitaire online

The easiest way to play is to visit games.aarp.org directly in your web browser. Search for "Pyramid Solitaire" in the games library, and the game loads when ready. No registration is required to play a casual game, though AARP does offer an account option if you want to save your high scores or track your progress over time.

If you prefer playing on a phone or tablet, read the AARP Games app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app includes Pyramid Solitaire along with dozens of other card and puzzle games. The app is free, though AARP may display ads or offer optional in-app features.

Both the website and app versions play identically. The choice comes down to whether you prefer playing on a computer or a mobile device.

How to access AARP Games if you are not yet an AARP member

You do not need to be an AARP member to play Pyramid Solitaire or most other games on AARP's site. The games are open to anyone. If you visit games.aarp.org, you can start playing when ready without signing in or creating an account.

AARP does periodically ask if you want to join or create an account to save your scores. You can skip this step and play as a guest. If you do create an account later, you can link it to an AARP membership, but membership is not a requirement for the games themselves.

Tips for improving your Pyramid Solitaire score

The most important strategy is to think several moves ahead before you play a card. Because you can store cards in the waste pile, you have more control than you might think. Avoid removing cards from the pyramid too early if they might be useful later—for example, if you have a 7 and a 6 in the pyramid, do not remove them when ready just because you can. They might be more valuable once you see what comes up from the deck.

Pay attention to which cards are blocking others in the pyramid. A card can only be removed if both cards below it (or the two cards it sits on top of) have already been removed. If you are stuck, it is often because you removed a card too early that was blocking access to a more useful pair.

Use the waste pile strategically. If you draw a card from the deck that does not match anything, place it in the waste pile rather than forcing a bad match. You can come back to it later when new cards appear.

Differences between Pyramid Solitaire and other AARP card games

AARP offers many solitaire variations, each with different rules. Klondike Solitaire, the most common version, uses a tableau and foundation piles and plays more like traditional solitaire. FreeCell gives you four open cells to store cards temporarily and requires you to build sequences in suit. Spider Solitaire uses two decks and focuses on building long sequences of cards in descending order.

Pyramid Solitaire stands apart because it is the only one based on the "add to 13" rule. If you find Pyramid Solitaire too straightforward or too hard, trying a different solitaire variant can give you a fresh challenge while staying within the same game family.

What to do if the game is not loading or you are having technical trouble

If Pyramid Solitaire will not load on your computer, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then refresh the page. If you are using an older browser, update it to the latest version—AARP Games works best on current versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge.

On mobile, try closing the AARP Games app completely and reopening it. If the problem continues, uninstall and reinstall the app. Make sure your phone or tablet has enough storage space and that you are connected to a stable internet connection.

If you continue to experience problems, visit the AARP Games help page or contact AARP's support team through their website. They can walk you through troubleshooting steps specific to your device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay to play Pyramid Solitaire?

No. The game is completely free on both the AARP website and the AARP Games app. AARP does not charge a fee to play, and you do not need an AARP membership. The app may display ads, but there are no required purchases to play the game itself.

Can I play Pyramid Solitaire offline?

The web version on games.aarp.org requires an internet connection. The AARP Games mobile app may allow offline play depending on your device and app version—check your app settings. Some versions cache games so you can play without a connection, though this is not may provide on all devices.

How do I save my score or progress?

If you create a free AARP account and sign in before playing, the game will save your high scores and game history. Without an account, your scores are stored only on that device and browser. Creating an account takes a few minutes and requires only an email address.

Is Pyramid Solitaire the same on the website and the app?

The rules and gameplay are identical, but the app version may have slightly different graphics or layout to fit a mobile screen. Both versions track scores the same way if you are signed into an account. Choose whichever platform is more comfortable for you.

What if I get stuck and cannot make any more moves?

If you run out of moves before clearing the pyramid, the game ends. You can start a new game when ready. There is no penalty for not winning—Pyramid Solitaire is meant to be played for enjoyment, and many hands are unwinnable depending on how the cards are shuffled.