Comparison
Pyramid vs Canfield
| Pyramid | Canfield | |
|---|---|---|
| Decks | One deck | One deck |
| Suits | 4 | 4 |
| Typical length | 8 min | 15 min |
| Difficulty | Beginner | Hard |
| How much skill matters | Low | High |
| How much the shuffle matters | High | Medium |
| Family | Pyramid family | Canfield family |
| Good for beginners | Yes | No |
We have not written a verdict for this pairing. The comparison above is drawn from each game's own recorded facts — follow either link for its full rules and strategy.
Pyramid
Clear a 28-card pyramid by pairing exposed cards that add up to 13.
Twenty-eight cards form a pyramid of seven rows, each card half-covered by the two below it. Remove pairs that add up to thirteen — Ace with Queen, two with Jack, and so on, counting Jack as eleven, Queen as twelve and King as thirteen.
Canfield
Foundations start on a random rank instead of Aces, and a 13-card reserve pile adds real strategic pressure.
Thirteen cards go face down into a reserve with only the top one showing, four columns are dealt, and one card goes up to start the foundations — whatever rank that card happens to be becomes the base rank for all four. Columns build down in alternating colours and turn the corner, so a King can go onto an Ace; foundations build up in suit and wrap the same way.
Frequently asked questions
- Which is harder, Pyramid or Canfield?
- Pyramid is generally rated beginner difficulty, while Canfield is rated hard — so most players find one noticeably harder than the other.