TriPeaks Solitaire (also called Three Peaks or Tri Towers) is a fast-paced, highly addictive single-player card game that blends elements of Pyramid Solitaire and Golf Solitaire. Invented by Robert Hogue in 1989, TriPeaks has become one of the most beloved solitaire variants worldwide — thanks in large part to its simple rules, brisk pace, and rewarding streak-based scoring system. This guide covers everything you need to know about TriPeaks, from initial setup to advanced winning strategies.
What Is TriPeaks Solitaire?
TriPeaks Solitaire is a single-player card game played with a standard 52-card deck. The name comes from the distinctive layout: three overlapping peaks (or pyramids) of cards are arranged on the tableau. Your objective is to clear all the cards from the three peaks by moving them to the waste pile.
Robert Hogue invented TriPeaks in 1989 after running computer simulations to design a game with a high solvability rate and an engaging scoring system. He succeeded on both counts — TriPeaks boasts one of the highest theoretical solvability rates among popular solitaire games, and its streak-based scoring keeps players coming back for more. The game gained widespread recognition when Microsoft included it in its Windows Solitaire Collection, exposing millions of players to this elegant variant.
Unlike Klondike Solitaire, which requires building foundations by suit, TriPeaks focuses on a simpler mechanic: removing cards that are exactly one rank higher or lower than the current waste pile card. This makes it easy to learn but difficult to master, especially when aiming for high scores through long streaks.
Game Setup
A game of TriPeaks Solitaire uses all 52 cards in a standard deck. The cards are distributed into two areas: the tableau (three peaks) and the stock pile.
The Tableau (Three Peaks)
Twenty-eight cards are dealt into three overlapping pyramids. Each peak consists of four rows. The specific layout is as follows:
- Row 1 (top): Three cards, one at the apex of each peak. These are dealt face-down.
- Row 2: Six cards, two beneath each apex card. These are dealt face-down.
- Row 3: Nine cards, three beneath each pair from row 2. The three cards in the center overlap between adjacent peaks. These are dealt face-down.
- Row 4 (bottom): Ten cards forming the base of the tableau. All ten are dealt face-up and are immediately available for play.
In total, 18 cards are dealt face-down and 10 cards are dealt face-up. A face-down card is flipped face-up when both cards that overlap it from the row below are removed. This cascading reveal mechanic is central to the game's strategy.
| Row | Cards | Face-down | Face-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (top) | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 2 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 3 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 4 (base) | 10 | 0 | 10 |
The Stock Pile
The remaining 24 cards form the stock pile and are placed face-down. At the start of the game, one card is dealt from the stock to begin the waste pile. This leaves 23 cards in the stock. During gameplay, you draw cards from the stock one at a time whenever you cannot (or choose not to) make a play from the tableau.
The Waste Pile
The waste pile begins with a single card drawn from the stock. This card serves as the “active” card — you can remove any uncovered tableau card that is exactly one rank higher or one rank lower than this card, regardless of suit or color. When you remove a tableau card, it becomes the new top of the waste pile.
Complete Rules
Basic Play
The core rule of TriPeaks is straightforward: you may move any uncovered (face-up) card from the tableau onto the waste pile if that card is exactly one rank higher or one rank lower than the current top card of the waste pile. Suit and color do not matter.
For example, if the waste pile shows a 7, you may play either a 6 or an 8 from the tableau. If you then play an 8, the next valid cards would be a 7 or a 9. This creates the possibility of building long sequences of consecutive plays.
Rank Wrapping
In most versions of TriPeaks, Kings and Aces wrap around. This means:
- A King can be played on an Ace, and an Ace can be played on a King.
- The rank sequence is circular: … Queen → King → Ace → 2 → 3 …
This wrapping rule is important because it prevents dead ends at the extremes of the rank sequence and opens up additional strategic possibilities.
Uncovering Cards
A face-down card in the tableau is turned face-up when both of the cards overlapping it (in the row below) have been removed. Once face-up, that card becomes available for play. Planning which cards to remove in order to reveal key hidden cards is a major part of TriPeaks strategy.
Drawing from the Stock
When you cannot or do not wish to play a tableau card, you draw the next card from the stock pile. This card is placed on top of the waste pile and becomes the new active card. Drawing from the stock breaks your current streak (which affects scoring), so you want to minimize stock draws whenever possible.
Winning and Losing
You win when all 28 tableau cards have been cleared. You do not need to exhaust the stock pile — clearing the peaks is the only objective.
You lose if the stock pile is empty and no valid moves remain on the tableau. At that point, any cards still remaining in the peaks cannot be removed.
Scoring System
One of TriPeaks' most distinctive features is its streak-based scoring system. Unlike many solitaire games where points are fixed per action, TriPeaks rewards you generously for making consecutive plays without drawing from the stock.
How Streaks Work
Each time you remove a tableau card without drawing from the stock, your streak increases. The points awarded increase with each consecutive card in the streak:
| Card in streak | Points earned | Cumulative total |
|---|---|---|
| 1st card | 1 | 1 |
| 2nd card | 2 | 3 |
| 3rd card | 3 | 6 |
| 4th card | 4 | 10 |
| 5th card | 5 | 15 |
| 10th card | 10 | 55 |
| 15th card | 15 | 120 |
Drawing from the stock resets the streak counter to zero. This means a single long streak of 10 cards is worth far more than two separate 5-card streaks. Skilled players plan their moves to maximize streak length, sometimes delaying an obvious play to set up a longer chain.
Peak Bonuses
Many versions of TriPeaks award a bonus when you clear an entire peak (remove the apex card). Clearing all three peaks earns additional completion bonuses. The exact bonus values vary by implementation, but the incentive is always to clear entire peaks rather than partially dismantling all three.
Strategy Tips
While TriPeaks is more forgiving than Klondike, thoughtful play dramatically improves both your win rate and your scores. Here are the most effective strategies:
1. Plan Your Sequences Before Playing
Before making your first move, scan the entire tableau. Look for chains of cards that can be played in sequence. For example, if you see a 5, 6, 7, and 8 scattered across the face-up cards, plan the order in which you will play them to maintain the longest possible streak. Thinking ahead is the single most impactful habit you can develop.
2. Clear Peaks Evenly
Resist the temptation to focus all your effort on a single peak. Clearing cards from all three peaks evenly reveals more face-down cards sooner, giving you more options and a better chance of building long streaks. If one peak is almost clear, it may be worth switching attention to another peak to uncover hidden cards that could extend a future streak.
3. Prioritize Long Streaks Over Immediate Clears
Because the scoring system rewards consecutive plays exponentially, it is often better to delay clearing a card if doing so sets up a longer streak. For example, if you can play a 4 now but see that playing a different card first would let you chain five or six cards in a row, take the longer route. The difference in points can be substantial.
4. Use the Stock Strategically
Every stock draw resets your streak, so draw only when you truly have no beneficial play. However, do not avoid the stock at all costs — sometimes drawing a card reveals a value that unlocks a massive streak on the tableau. Think of stock draws as investments: sometimes one draw sets up a chain of eight or more plays.
5. Pay Attention to Card Distribution
Keep track of which ranks have been played. If three of the four 9s are already in the waste pile, that remaining 9 in the tableau will be harder to connect to a streak. Awareness of which cards are still available helps you anticipate dead ends and plan around them.
6. Uncover Cards That Open Multiple Options
When choosing between two equally valid moves, prefer the one that uncovers a face-down card — especially if that face-down card is blocking multiple other cards. Uncovering cards in the upper rows of the peaks is particularly valuable because it cascades into revealing even more cards below.
7. Watch for the King-Ace Wrap
New players often forget that Kings and Aces connect. This wrapping rule can rescue an otherwise dead streak. Always check whether a King or Ace on the tableau can extend your current sequence before resorting to a stock draw.
Variations and Similar Games
TriPeaks belongs to a family of solitaire games that share similar mechanics:
- Golf Solitaire: The direct ancestor of TriPeaks. Cards are laid out in seven columns, and you remove cards one rank higher or lower than the waste pile card. Golf Solitaire does not use the peak layout and typically does not allow King-Ace wrapping.
- Pyramid Solitaire: Another pyramid-shaped card game, but with a different mechanic — you remove pairs of uncovered cards that add up to 13. Pyramid Solitaire is generally more difficult than TriPeaks.
- Black Hole Solitaire: All 52 cards are dealt face-up into 17 fans surrounding a central “black hole.” You play cards one rank higher or lower onto the black hole, similar to TriPeaks but with full visibility.
- TriPeaks Variations: Some digital versions add wild cards, power-ups, or timed modes. Others adjust the peak layout (taller or shorter peaks) or modify the wrapping rules to increase or decrease difficulty.
For a broader understanding of solitaire terminology used across all these games, consult our Solitaire Glossary.
Win Rates and Statistics
Robert Hogue's original analysis found that approximately 90% of TriPeaks deals are theoretically solvable with perfect play. This is notably higher than Klondike Solitaire's estimated 79–82% solvability rate.
| Metric | TriPeaks | Klondike (Draw 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Theoretical solvability | ~90% | ~82% |
| Average player win rate | ~60% | ~30% |
| Expert win rate | ~85% | ~43% |
| Average game duration | 5–10 minutes | 10–20 minutes |
The high solvability rate, combined with shorter game duration, makes TriPeaks an excellent choice for players who want a satisfying solitaire experience without the longer time commitment of Klondike. The streak-based scoring also adds a competitive layer — even when you win, you can always aim for a higher score.
Key Terminology
- Peak
- One of the three pyramid-shaped arrangements of cards on the tableau.
- Apex
- The single card at the top of each peak. Clearing an apex card clears that peak entirely.
- Stock
- The face-down pile of cards you draw from when no tableau plays are available.
- Waste Pile
- The face-up pile where played cards go. The top card determines which tableau cards can be removed.
- Streak
- A sequence of consecutive plays from the tableau without drawing from the stock. Longer streaks earn exponentially more points.
- Wrapping
- The rule that allows Kings and Aces to connect, making the rank sequence circular.
For more definitions, see the complete Solitaire Glossary.
Play TriPeaks Solitaire Online
You can play TriPeaks Solitaire for free at Solitaires.gg — no download or registration required. Features include:
- Clean, distraction-free interface
- Streak counter and score tracking
- Undo and hint support
- Works on desktop, tablet, and mobile
- Installable as a Progressive Web App (PWA) for offline play
Frequently Asked Questions
What is TriPeaks Solitaire?
TriPeaks Solitaire is a card game played with a standard 52-card deck. Twenty-eight cards are arranged into three overlapping peaks, and the remaining 24 form a stock pile. You clear the peaks by removing cards that are one rank higher or lower than the top card of the waste pile. The game was invented by Robert Hogue in 1989.
Is every deal of TriPeaks Solitaire winnable?
No, but the vast majority are. Approximately 90% of TriPeaks deals are theoretically solvable with perfect play. This is one of the highest solvability rates among popular solitaire variants, making TriPeaks a more forgiving game than Klondike Solitaire, where only about 79–82% of deals are solvable.
How does scoring work in TriPeaks?
TriPeaks uses a streak-based scoring system. Each consecutive card you play from the tableau without drawing from the stock increases your streak, and each card in the streak is worth one more point than the previous. For example, the first card earns 1 point, the second earns 2, the third earns 3, and so on. Drawing from the stock resets the streak to zero. This system rewards long chains of plays and encourages strategic thinking over simple card clearing.
What is the difference between TriPeaks and Pyramid Solitaire?
Both games feature pyramid-shaped card layouts, but the mechanics differ significantly. In Pyramid Solitaire, you remove pairs of cards that add up to 13. In TriPeaks, you remove individual cards that are one rank higher or lower than the waste pile card. TriPeaks generally has a higher win rate and faster gameplay, while Pyramid Solitaire is more puzzle-like and often more challenging.