How to Play TriPeaks Solitaire: Rules and Scoring
In TriPeaks Solitaire, 28 cards form three overlapping peaks and you clear them onto one pile. Any face-up card that nothing covers can go on the pile when it is one rank higher or one lower than the pile's top card, whatever the suit. Cards turn face up as soon as they're uncovered, and when nothing fits you turn a card from the stock. Clear all three peaks to win; long runs of cards score the most points.
The layout
TriPeaks uses one 52-card deck. The 28-card layout is built in four rows: the three peak tops, then 6 cards, then 9, all face down, and finally a bottom row of 10 face up. Each card is half covered by the two cards below it, so the layout looks like three mountains standing side by side and sharing the bottom row.
The other 24 cards are the stock. Its first card is turned face up to start the pile, leaving 23 to draw.
Playing cards onto the pile
A card can be played when it is face up and uncovered, meaning no card lies on top of it. It goes on the pile when it is exactly one rank above or below the top card: an 8 goes on a 7 or a 9. Suits and colors don't matter. Tap the card, or drag it onto the pile; on Easy the cards that fit light up.
A face-down card turns over as soon as both cards covering it are gone. You can't see it before then, so every new card is a surprise that may keep your run going.
Kings and Aces
| Level | Kings and Aces | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Easy | Neighbours (Q–K–A–2) | A King goes on an Ace or a Queen |
| Medium and Daily | Neighbours (Q–K–A–2) | An Ace goes on a King or a 2 |
| Hard | Not neighbours | A King goes only on a Queen, an Ace only on a 2 |
The stock
When nothing fits, tap the stock: its top card goes face up on the pile and becomes the card to play on. The badge on the stock shows how many cards are left. You go through the stock only once. Drawing also ends your current run, so play everything you sensibly can first.
How scoring works
Every card you play from the peaks extends your run. The first card of a run scores 10, the second 20, the third 30, and so on, so long runs are worth far more than short ones. Turning a stock card starts a new run. The Run counter above the table shows how long your current one is.
| Run length | Points for the run |
|---|---|
| 1 card | 10 |
| 3 cards | 60 |
| 5 cards | 150 |
| 10 cards | 550 |
- Peak tops: +150 each, and +500 for the last one, which wins the game.
- Spare stock cards: +25 for every card still in the stock when you win.
- Speed: a time bonus if you win within 4 minutes on Easy, 6 on Medium and the Daily, or 8 on Hard.
- Level: the total is doubled on Medium and the Daily and tripled on Hard.
Your stars depend on the stock: win with 3 or more cards to spare for two stars, 8 or more for three. The end card also shows your Best run.
Winning, losing and Undo
You win when all three peaks are cleared, all 28 cards. If the stock is empty and no uncovered card fits, you're out of moves. Not every random TriPeaks deal can be cleared, but every deal on GameLake has been checked by a solver under its level's rules, so it can always be won. Undo takes back moves (your score and run too), and Try this deal again restarts the same deal.
Levels, the Daily and Teach me
| Mode | Kings and Aces | Deals |
|---|---|---|
| Easy | Neighbours | The friendliest deals; cards that fit light up |
| Medium | Neighbours | Tougher deals |
| Hard | Not neighbours | The deals a casual player rarely clears |
| Daily | Neighbours | One deal, the same for everyone each day |
Stuck? Press Teach me. Hops asks the solver for a move that keeps the deal winnable, highlights it, and says why in one line, for example that it turns over a face-down card or starts a long run. He never gives away a face-down card. If the peaks can no longer be cleared, he tells you to undo a few moves.
A first game, step by step
- Look at the pile's top card and find every face-up card one above or below it.
- Prefer cards that turn over a face-down card.
- Keep the run going as long as you can; every card scores more than the last.
- When nothing fits, turn one stock card and start a new run.
- Keep at it until all three peak tops are gone.
For tactics, read the TriPeaks Solitaire strategy guide. Golf Solitaire plays with the same one-up-one-down rule over a nine-hole round, and Spider Solitaire and Pyramid Solitaire are good next steps. Or play TriPeaks Solitaire now.
Frequently asked questions
How do you play TriPeaks Solitaire?
Play any face-up card that nothing covers onto the pile when it is one rank higher or lower than the top card, whatever the suit. Cards turn face up when they're uncovered. When nothing fits, turn a card from the stock. Clear all three peaks to win.
How many cards are in each TriPeaks row?
Three peak tops, then 6, then 9, then a bottom row of 10: 28 cards. Only the bottom row starts face up. The other 24 cards are the stock.
Can a King go on an Ace in TriPeaks?
On Easy, Medium and the Daily, yes: Kings and Aces are neighbours, so a King goes on an Ace or a Queen. On Hard the ranks don't wrap round.
How does TriPeaks scoring work?
Each card in a run scores 10 more than the one before (10, 20, 30…), and drawing from the stock starts a new run. Peak tops add 150 (the last one 500), spare stock cards 25 each, and a quick win adds a time bonus.
Who invented TriPeaks?
TriPeaks was created by Robert Hogue in 1989. It is a close relative of the older Golf Solitaire, played on three peaks instead of seven columns.