Field note · Strategy

Planning a pyramid

Thorn Pyramid is the one game on the Briar where choices matter. A few habits that clear more cards.

Look before you pair

When a deal starts, only the seven cards of the bottom row are open. Before taking the first pair you see, look at which cards each pair would uncover. A pair that frees two cards in the row above opens more options than one that frees none.

Kings first

A king clears on its own, so there is never a reason to leave an open king in the pyramid. Clearing it can only open more cards.

Use the waste carefully

The stock goes through once. When you turn a card, the one below it on the waste pile is buried until the top card is used. If a pyramid card needs a partner, and the waste card on top could also pair with something deeper, think about which use is worth more before you act.

Pairs that compete

Often two open cards want the same partner: two sixes looking for one seven, say. Take the one that blocks more of the pyramid. Cards high in the pyramid hold up fewer cards and can wait.

Show a pair

The helper picks a sensible move from what is on the table now. It likes pairs that clear pyramid cards, especially low ones. It does not plan ahead, so treat it as a second opinion, not the answer.

Know when a deal is done

Some deals cannot be cleared whatever you do. If the stock is nearly gone and the pyramid is locked, End the round settles it at once by the cards cleared so far. There is no penalty for ending early, and no reason to keep staring at a deal that has stopped being fun.

Written by the Thornhallow team · last checked 11 November 2026