TriPeaks Solitaire: Complete Guide to Conquering the Three Peaks

Fun Fact: TriPeaks was specifically designed to have a higher average win rate (about 90% of deals are winnable) than traditional Klondike Solitaire, while still requiring strategic thinking. This balance of challenge and achievability makes it highly addictive!

Example Sequence: If waste shows 7, you can play 6 or 8. If you play 6, you can then play 5 or 7. If you play 5, you can play 4 or 6. This can create long chains where you clear 10+ cards without drawing from stock!

• Base Score per Card: 50 points × current streak multiplier
• Streak Multiplier: Starts at 1, increases by 1 with each consecutive card (resets when drawing from stock)
• Peak Cleared Bonus: +100 points for each of the 3 peaks cleared
• Win Bonus: +1,000 points
• Stock Penalty: -25 points per card remaining in stock

Strategy #1: Prioritize Uncovering New Cards

When you have multiple playable cards, prioritize those that will uncover face-down cards or those blocking multiple cards. A card that uncovers two new cards is almost always more valuable than one that only reveals empty space. Think of it as "buying" more options for future moves. The more cards you have visible and available, the more likely you'll be able to continue sequences without drawing from stock.

Strategy #2: Build Long Sequences to Conserve Stock

Every card you clear from the pyramids without drawing from stock increases your win probability dramatically. When you have a choice, try to maintain sequences that will let you clear multiple cards. For example, if waste shows 8 and you see 7→6→5→4 available, play the 7 to enable that entire sequence. Long streaks of 8-12+ cards are the key to winning consistently. Remember: each stock card saved is insurance for later in the game.

Strategy #3: Look Several Moves Ahead

Before playing a card, scan the visible cards to see if your move will enable additional plays. Think at least 2-3 cards ahead. If playing a 9 will uncover a 10, and you can see an available Jack, that's a strong play because it sets up a 3-card sequence. Advanced players routinely look 5-7 moves ahead, mapping out entire clearing sequences before making their first move. This foresight prevents dead-ends and maximizes your chances of long streaks.

Strategy #4: Work All Three Peaks Evenly

Don't focus exclusively on one peak while ignoring the others. Clearing one peak completely while leaving others untouched often leads to getting stuck, because you'll have fewer playable options. Instead, work all three peaks somewhat evenly, always maintaining options across the entire layout. This balanced approach ensures you always have multiple cards available at different ranks, giving you more ways to continue sequences when opportunities arise.

Strategy #5: Be Cautious with Kings and Aces

Kings and Aces are "edge" cards that only match with one other rank (Queen/King for King, Ace/2 for Ace). Playing a King or Ace from waste can limit your options because only one specific rank will continue the sequence. Before drawing a King or Ace from stock, scan the pyramids to ensure you have matches available. Getting stuck on a King or Ace waste card with no Queens/Aces or 2s/Kings visible is a common way to lose winnable games.

Strategy #6: Count Your Stock Cards

Always be aware of how many stock cards remain. With 23 stock cards total and 28 pyramid cards to clear, you need to average more than one pyramid card per stock draw to win. If you're halfway through the stock (11-12 cards used) but haven't cleared half the pyramids (14+ cards), you're falling behind pace. This awareness helps you recognize when you need to be more aggressive about building longer sequences instead of drawing quickly from stock.

Strategy #7: Clear Blocking Cards First

Some cards block two cards beneath them, while others block only one or none. When you have multiple playable options at the same rank, choose the one that blocks the most cards. For example, if you can play either of two 7s, and one is in the second row (blocking two cards) while the other is in the bottom row (blocking nothing), play the second-row card. This opens up more possibilities and keeps your options maximized.

Strategy #8: Recognize "Dead End" Patterns

Learn to recognize situations where your current path will lead to a dead end. For example, if you're building down (8→7→6→5) and you notice all the 4s are buried deep under face-down cards, you're headed for trouble. When you spot a dead end pattern, consider the alternative direction. Sometimes it's better to build up (8→9→10) if that path has more exposed cards. Flexibility in direction choice is a hallmark of expert play.

Strategy #9: Use the Undo Button to Learn

TriPeaks rewards experimentation. If you're unsure which of two paths to take, try one, and if it leads to problems, undo and try the other approach. This trial-and-error learning helps you develop intuition for which moves open up better sequences. Over time, you'll recognize patterns faster and make better initial choices without needing to undo. Think of undo as a learning tool rather than "cheating."

Strategy #10: Finish Strong with Peak Clearing

The endgame in TriPeaks often requires clearing the three peak cards and the cards immediately around them. Plan your mid-game moves to set up easy access to peaks. Peak cards are often the last remaining cards, and if they're unfavorable ranks with no matches visible, you may need to draw through significant stock to find matches. Try to clear peaks opportunistically during long sequences rather than saving them for last when stock is low.

Mistake #1: Drawing from Stock Too Quickly

The most common beginner mistake is clicking the stock immediately when the first obvious sequence ends, without checking if there are other available plays. Always scan ALL visible cards for matches before drawing. Sometimes the best play isn't obvious at first glance. Every unnecessary stock draw reduces your winning chances.

Mistake #2: Ignoring the Direction of Sequences

When you have a choice to go up or down (e.g., playing 7 or 9 on an 8), new players often make the choice randomly. Instead, look ahead to see which direction has more available cards. If you see 10-J-Q visible but only 6-5 available, going up (9-10-J-Q) is clearly superior to going down (7-6-5).

Mistake #3: Clearing One Peak Completely First

It's tempting to focus on completely clearing one peak, but this often leaves you with limited options. Balanced clearing across all three peaks maintains flexibility. If you clear the left peak entirely while the right peak is barely touched, you're limiting your playable cards and reducing your ability to build long sequences.

Mistake #4: Not Tracking Face-Down Cards

Beginners often forget about face-down cards and play without considering what might be revealed. Try to keep mental (or physical) notes about which cards you've seen. If you've played three 7s already, there's only one 7 left in the pyramids/stock. This information helps you make better decisions about which paths to pursue.

Mistake #5: Playing Too Fast Without Analysis

TriPeaks can be played quickly, but speed shouldn't come at the expense of strategy. Take 2-3 seconds before each move to consider your options. Is there a play that uncovers more cards? Will this move enable a longer sequence? Quick, thoughtless clicking often leads to suboptimal paths and preventable losses.

What percentage of TriPeaks games are winnable?

Approximately 90% of randomly dealt TriPeaks games are winnable with optimal play. This is significantly higher than Klondike (~30%) or Pyramid Solitaire (~15%). Skilled players can achieve 70-85% actual win rates, with experts pushing above 85%. The high win rate makes TriPeaks satisfying while still challenging.

Can you play a King on an Ace in TriPeaks?

Yes! In TriPeaks, cards wrap around - you can play a King on an Ace, and you can play an Ace on a King. This wrapping rule is crucial for maintaining sequences and is one of the features that makes long clearing streaks possible.

Do suits matter in TriPeaks Solitaire?

No, suits are completely irrelevant in TriPeaks. Only the rank matters. You can play a 7 of Hearts on a 6 of Hearts, 6 of Clubs, 6 of Diamonds, or 6 of Spades - they're all valid moves. This simplicity allows for faster gameplay and more focus on sequence planning rather than suit matching.

What's the longest possible sequence in TriPeaks?

Theoretically, you could clear all 28 pyramid cards in a single sequence if they happen to be arranged in perfect rank order. Practically, sequences of 12-16 cards are considered excellent, and sequences of 8-10 cards are common in winning games. The longest sequence in a game is often a good indicator of whether you'll win.

What's the best strategy for beginners?

Focus on three things: (1) Always look for cards that will uncover new cards, (2) Try to build sequences of at least 4-5 cards before drawing from stock, and (3) Work all three peaks somewhat evenly rather than clearing one completely first. Master these fundamentals before worrying about advanced techniques.

How is TriPeaks different from regular Pyramid Solitaire?

The key differences are: (1) TriPeaks uses sequential matching (±1 rank) instead of pairing to sum 13, (2) TriPeaks has three peaks instead of one pyramid, (3) TriPeaks has a much higher win rate (~90% vs ~15%), and (4) TriPeaks plays much faster with longer continuous sequences. TriPeaks is generally considered more accessible and addictive.

How long does a typical TriPeaks game take?

Most TriPeaks games take 3-7 minutes. Quick games where you build excellent sequences might take 2-3 minutes, while difficult games where you're carefully planning each move might take 8-10 minutes. The fast pace makes TriPeaks perfect for quick mental breaks or commute gaming.