Pipe was defeated in the second round of the 2013 World Championship 2–4 by Mark Walsh, after overcoming Andy Jenkins 3–0 in the first. After being a losing quarter-finalist in three events during the first half of 2013, Pipe reached the semi-finals for the first time this year at the third Players Championship, but lost 3–6 to Paul Nicholson. He suffered a surprise 2–5 defeat to Gareth Pass in the first round of the UK Open. At the World Matchplay, he beat Mark Webster 10–4 in the first round and then defeated Raymond van Barneveld 13–9 with a 170 checkout. In his second consecutive quarter-final in the event, Pipe lost 10–16 to Phil Taylor. Pipe beat Andy Smith 2–0 and Adrian Lewis 3–0 in the opening rounds of the World Grand Prix and then saw off Andy Hamilton to reach his second major semi-final in a performance Pipe claimed was the best of his career. He faced Dave Chisnall and started the better as he led 1–0 and 2–1 but could only win another two legs in the match as Chisnall's scoring power eventually told in a 5–2 defeat. Pipe won through to the semi-finals of the Players Championship Finals for the second successive year where he faced Phil Taylor. He kept pace early on but with the match on throw at 5–4, Taylor took out a 132 finish on the bull with Pipe on 38, to enter the second break 6–4 ahead, before going on to defeat Pipe 10–4.