TriPeaks Solitaire Rules - How to Play

TriPeaks Solitaire (also known as Tri Towers, Three Peaks, or Triple Peaks) is an engaging solitaire card game that combines a visually striking three-peak layout with fast-paced, streak-based gameplay. The game was invented by Robert Hogue in 1989 and quickly gained popularity through computer implementations. Hogue designed TriPeaks by mathematically analyzing different solitaire layouts and found that the three-peak structure created an ideal balance of challenge and solvability. TriPeaks belongs to the same family of games as Golf Solitaire — both use the "+/-1" mechanic where you remove cards one rank higher or lower than the foundation card. However, TriPeaks adds the overlapping card structure from Pyramid Solitaire, creating a unique hybrid that many players consider more engaging than either parent game. The game is especially popular for its streak mechanic, where consecutive plays build up bonus points. Long streaks are deeply satisfying and reward skilled play.

TriPeaks uses 28 cards arranged in three overlapping peaks, plus a stock pile and a foundation pile. The three peaks each start with a single card at their apex, and the cards fan outward below. Each peak consists of 6 cards arranged in 3 rows — though the bottom cards are shared between adjacent peaks, creating the overlapping structure. Specifically, the layout looks like this: Row 1 (top): 3 cards — one at the top of each peak. Row 2: 6 cards — two under each peak card. Row 3: 9 cards — three rows that form the lower edges, some shared between peaks. Row 4 (bottom): 10 cards — fully exposed and face-up from the start. The 18 cards in rows 1-3 start face-down. The 10 cards in row 4 start face-up and are immediately playable. Cards in upper rows flip face-up when both cards covering them are removed. The remaining 24 cards (52 - 28 = 24) form the stock pile. One card from the stock is dealt face-up to start the foundation pile (sometimes called the waste pile), leaving 23 cards in the stock.

The goal of TriPeaks is to remove all 28 cards from the three peaks. You do not need to use up the stock pile — only the peak cards must be cleared for victory. Cards are removed by playing them to the foundation pile. A card can be played if its rank is exactly one higher or one lower than the current top card of the foundation. For example, if the foundation shows a 7, you can play a 6 or an 8 from the peaks. If you play a 6, then the next card must be a 5 or a 7, and so on. The challenge is that you can only play exposed cards (cards not covered by other cards in the peak structure), and you must carefully plan which cards to remove and in what order to maximize your chances of clearing all three peaks.

The gameplay loop in TriPeaks is simple but strategic: 1. Look at the top card of the foundation pile and note its rank. 2. Scan the exposed peak cards for any card that is exactly one rank higher or lower. 3. Click that card to play it to the foundation. It becomes the new foundation card. 4. Repeat — look for cards that are +1 or -1 from the new foundation card. 5. When no exposed peak cards can be played, draw a card from the stock pile to the foundation. 6. Continue until all peak cards are cleared (you win) or the stock runs out with no valid moves (you lose). The beauty of TriPeaks is how sequences develop. Playing one card often exposes another card that can also be played, which exposes another, and so on. These "chain reactions" are the heart of the game and create exciting moments of rapid play.

An important rule variation in TriPeaks is whether Ace-King wrapping is allowed. With wrapping: An Ace can be played on a King, and a King can be played on an Ace. This creates a continuous cycle where sequences can loop around: ...Q, K, A, 2... or ...3, 2, A, K, Q... Without wrapping: Kings and Aces are endpoints. A King can only connect to a Queen, and an Ace can only connect to a 2. This makes Kings and Aces sequence blockers. Most online versions of TriPeaks (including this one) allow wrapping, as it makes the game more fluid and increases the win rate. Wrapping reduces the frustration of getting stuck on a King or Ace and adds strategic depth — you can plan sequences that loop through the rank boundaries. Without wrapping, the win rate drops significantly and games feel more restrictive. The choice between wrapping and non-wrapping is the most significant rule variation in TriPeaks.

The stock pile contains 23 cards (24 minus the initial foundation card). When no exposed peak cards match the foundation, you draw from the stock to get a new foundation card. Each stock draw resets the foundation to a new rank, opening up different pairing possibilities. However, the stock is a limited resource — once it is empty, you can no longer change the foundation card. In most TriPeaks versions, the stock cannot be recycled. Once all 23 stock cards are drawn, any remaining peak cards must be clearable using only the current foundation sequence. If they cannot be cleared, the game is lost. Drawing from the stock also resets any active streak bonus (in scored versions), which adds a strategic consideration: is it worth drawing to continue playing, or would it be better to accept the streak reset and save stock cards for later?

TriPeaks traditionally uses a streak-based scoring system that rewards consecutive plays: The first card you play from the peaks scores a base value (e.g., 1 point). Each consecutive card played without drawing from the stock increases the bonus: 2 points, 3 points, 4 points, and so on. Drawing from the stock resets the streak back to the base value. For example, if you play 5 peak cards in a row without drawing, you score: 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 = 15 points for that streak. Clearing a peak (removing its top card) often awards a large bonus, and clearing all three peaks awards an even larger completion bonus. This scoring system creates an interesting tension: should you play a card now to extend your streak, or should you save it for a better sequence later? Long streaks are exponentially more valuable than multiple short streaks, so maintaining a streak is a key strategic goal.

You win TriPeaks when all 28 peak cards have been removed. The game can be won even with stock cards remaining — what matters is clearing the peaks, not using every card. A typical TriPeaks game lasts 2-5 minutes, making it one of the faster solitaire variants. The win rate with good play is approximately 20-30%, depending on whether wrapping is allowed. Games can be won quickly through long streaks — a skilled player who spots a long sequence might clear 15-20 cards in rapid succession, demolishing the peaks in under a minute. Games are lost when the stock runs out and no exposed peak card matches the foundation. As you play, keep an eye on the stock count. If you have many peak cards remaining and few stock cards, you need your next sequence to be a long one. The game also tracks your best scores, streaks, and win rates, giving you metrics to improve over time. Try to beat your personal best streak — landing a 10+ card streak is rare and immensely satisfying.