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What is Tripeaks Solitaire?

Tripeaks Solitaire (also written Three Peaks, Tri-Peaks, or Triple Peaks) is a fast-paced and intuitive tableau-clearing solitaire game. Created in the late 1980s, it quickly became popular for its simple rules, smooth gameplay, and satisfying ability to create long chains of moves. Each turn gives you a small puzzle to solve—choosing the right card to reveal, the right moment to draw from the stock, and the right sequence to clear entire peaks in one run.

How to Play Tripeaks Solitaire

Objective

The goal of Tripeaks Solitaire is to clear all cards from the tableau by moving them to the waste pile. You remove cards by selecting any available tableau card that is exactly one rank higher or lower than the top card of the waste pile. Suits and colors do not matter.

Setup

Tripeaks Solitaire is played with a standard 52-card deck and uses a tableau shaped like three triangular “peaks.” The layout is made up of:

Tableau: 28 cards arranged to form three overlapping peaks. Upper cards are face-down at the start, while the shared bottom row of 10 cards is face-up. Removing blocking cards reveals the face-down cards above them.
Stock (draw pile): The remaining cards are placed face-down. When no moves are available, you draw the next card from the stock to the waste.
Waste: The top card of the waste pile determines which tableau cards you can play next. After removing a tableau card, it becomes the new waste top.

Rules

Rank-based matching: You may play a tableau card that is one rank higher or lower than the current waste card.
First Move Flexibility: Because the waste pile starts empty, the first card you play from the tableau can be any exposed card. It does not need to be one rank higher or lower than anything. After the first card is placed, normal “one higher or one lower” rules apply.
Face-up & unblocked cards only: A tableau card must be both face-up and not covered by another card to be playable.
Single stock pass: You normally get only one pass through the stock pile. When the stock runs out, no additional draws are available.
No tableau building: You cannot move or rearrange tableau cards—only remove them.
Empty spaces remain empty: When a card is removed, nothing fills its position. The structure stays as dealt.

Strategies for Tripeaks Solitaire

Tripeaks Solitaire rewards planning ahead and choosing the most revealing moves. These strategies can help improve your win rate:

Prioritize revealing new cards: If you can choose between two playable cards, it’s usually better to select the one that uncovers more face-down cards.
Use the Free First Move Wisely: Since the waste starts empty, your first play can be any exposed card. Look for a card that unlocks a long chain or exposes valuable hidden cards. Avoid starting with a card that only leads to dead ends.
Use the stock only when needed: Every stock draw reduces your potential to make long sequences. Always check for all possible plays before drawing a new waste card.
Create long runs: Sequential plays are the heart of Tripeaks Solitaire. Try to chain moves in both directions—for example, 6 → 7 → 6 → 5 → 4.
Balance the peaks: Avoid clearing only one peak at a time. Keeping all three peaks progressing evenly maximizes your number of available moves.
Pause after revealing a card: When a move uncovers a new card, stop and check whether that card extends your sequence before continuing.
Think ahead when the stock gets low: The last few stock cards often determine whether you clear the tableau or stall. Plan your final moves carefully.
Use hints or undo: These tools help explore safer sequences and avoid wasting stock draws.

Why Play Tripeaks Solitaire?

Tripeaks Solitaire is ideal for players who want a quick but thoughtful solitaire experience. It’s friendly for beginners, yet still offers depth for players who enjoy planning sequences and optimizing their choices. Whether you’re looking for a short break or aiming to master long combos, Tripeaks Solitaire provides an engaging mix of simplicity and strategy. You can play Tripeaks Solitaire and many other solitaire games for free at Solitaire Land.