How to Play TriPeaks Solitaire

Objective

Your goal is to remove all 28 cards from the three peaks by playing each one onto the waste pile, one rank higher or lower than the current top. Streaks of consecutive plays without drawing earn growing bonuses, and clearing every peak triggers a 500-point win bonus.

Video Tutorial

How to play Tri-Peaks — a Solitaire Tutorial

Game Setup

• The peaks: Three overlapping pyramids of cards. The top row holds 3 cards (one per peak), the next row 6, the next 9, and the bottom row 10 fully exposed cards. Higher rows become exposed as you remove the cards covering them.
• The stock pile: Twenty-three face-down cards in the lower-left. Tap to send one card to the waste pile when no peak card can be played. Drawing resets your streak multiplier.
• The waste pile: The active discard. Play exposed peak cards onto it in ±1 rank sequence. Long unbroken plays build a streak bonus that multiplies your score.

Complete Rules

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