How to Play TriPeaks Solitaire

TriPeaks Solitaire (also called Tri Peaks or Three Peaks) is a fast, addictive card game where you clear three overlapping peaks by playing cards that are one rank higher or lower than the discard pile. It combines the simplicity of Golf Solitaire with a unique pyramid layout. Originally created by Robert Hogue in 1989, TriPeaks was popularized by Microsoft's Solitaire Collection and has become one of the most played solitaire variants worldwide.

Game Setup

1. 1Shuffle a standard 52-card deck.
2. 2Deal 28 cards into three overlapping peaks: the top row has 3 cards (one per peak), the second row has 6 cards, the third row has 9 cards, and the bottom row has 10 face-up cards.
3. 3Cards in the bottom row are fully exposed; cards in higher rows are covered by cards below them.
4. 4Place 1 card face-up to start the waste/discard pile.
5. 5The remaining 23 cards form the face-down stock pile.

Complete Rules

1. 1Play any exposed card from the peaks onto the waste pile if it is exactly one rank higher or lower than the current waste top.
2. 2Suit and color do not matter — only rank.
3. 3A peak card is "exposed" when no cards in the row below are covering it.
4. 4When no exposed card can be played, draw a card from the stock to the waste pile.
5. 5Win by clearing all 28 cards from the three peaks.
6. 6The game ends in a loss when the stock is empty and no more moves are available.
7. 7Cards in the bottom row of each peak are always exposed from the start.
8. 8Removing a card may expose one or two cards in the row above.
9. 9Chains of consecutive plays (without drawing) earn bonus streak points.
10. 10Drawing from the stock resets the streak multiplier.
11. 11The stock is not recycled — once all cards are drawn, no more draws are available.
12. 12Kings and Aces can be chain endpoints since no wrapping is allowed.

Strategy Tips

• Look for long chains before making your first move. A 5-card chain is worth much more than five individual plays.
• Play cards from the peaks rather than drawing whenever possible. Stock cards are finite and precious.
• Prioritize clearing cards that expose the most new cards in the rows above.
• Focus on one peak at a time when possible. Clearing a peak completely gives a big score bonus.
• Before drawing from stock, check all three peaks for playable cards — it is easy to miss one.
• Watch for runs that alternate direction: up-down-up can clear more cards than a single direction.
• Save stock draws for when you truly have no other options. Long chains are the key to high scores.
• Track which ranks have been played. If three Queens are gone, a remaining Jack has fewer chain options.
• In daily challenges, streaks matter for leaderboard placement. Aim for chain quality over speed.
• Pay attention to peak structure — cards near the apex of each peak are highest priority since they block the most other cards.

Advanced Strategy

• Before your first move, trace all possible chains from each exposed card and choose the longest one.
• Use "sacrifice draws" strategically. Sometimes drawing one card from stock sets up a 6-7 card chain that more than compensates.
• Peak completion order matters. Clear the peak that is closest to completion first to maximize exposed cards for future chains.
• When multiple plays are available, choose the one from the highest row — it uncovers more cards and extends your options.
• Track the stock mentally. In the late game, knowing which 5-6 cards remain helps you plan whether clearing the board is possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

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