How to Play Tripeaks Solitaire
Here's an illustrated guide to playing Tripeaks Solitaire
What is Tripeaks Solitaire?
Tripeaks Solitiare is a newer variant that has really taken off in recent years spawning hundreds of digital releases. Mobile versions have become some of the most popular and top grossing games on the App Store. Its simplicity and variety of layouts make it a perfect casual past time for those looking for solitaire gameplay unlike all the other traditional solitaire games.
Tripeaks Solitaire Setup
Setting up for Tripeaks is very simple but has the potential to be a whole lot different than most games with its variety of layouts.
There is a traditional setup that has 3 pyramid peaks as shown below which we will focus on for this guide.
Alternatively you can setup Tripeaks in a limitless way as the layouts can be as creative as you can imagine them to be. While regulated to digital versions there is no reason you couldn't be creative and design your own real world layouts. Below is one of many digital version examples.
The goal of Tripeaks Solitaire is to remove all the cards from the layout by choosing one card lower or higher in rank than the first card in the waste pile. Here’s how you can play:
Tripeaks Solitaire Gameplay
Since you have a limited number of cards in the stock pile you should try and remove the most cards from the layout without dipping into the stock pile. You can do this by making a move that will allow additional moves up and / or down. In the image below you can move the 10 of Spades to the waste pile, then the 9 of Clubs, then the 10 of hearts, then the Jack of Clubs, then Queen of Clubs and finally the King of Spades.
Understanding Card Values
Removing Cards
At the start of the game you can choose a card from the above layout to get started. Analyze the layout and see if you can make a "run" where you could remove a few cards based on this one move.
Making Runs
In Tripeaks Solitaire, the card values are as follows: Aces count as 1, numbered cards as their face value, Jacks as 11, Queens as 12, and Kings count as 13. Since Kings reach the required 13 on their own, they can be removed from the layout individually.
A special note is the Ace as it can be either 1 or 14 to be used with either the Two or the King.
Turn Over Freed Up Cards
As you remove cards from the layout you can immediately turn over any card that completely becomes free from other cards on top of them. Do this the instant a card is free as it may also allow additional moves based on these new card options.
When you have no further moves you select a card and turn it over into the waste pile to see if you can remove other cards from the layout. If you can still not make a move continue to pull cards from the stock pile until you can..
Use the Stock Pile
Winning and losing in Tripeaks is very simple.
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Win: You win if you clear the entire layout of cards.
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Lose: You lose if you go through the entire stock pile of cards once and are unable to clear the remaining cards in the layout.
Winning & Losing
Tripeaks, although similar in actual gameplay, may have the most type of variants of any of the solitaire game types due to how it can be adapted to fit a variety of game themes and layout of the cards.
Most notably are the goals that are implemented into the digital versions like breaking blockers or uncovering special cards.
There are even games adapted to using Tripeaks gameplay in battle style games. For this list we'll just stick to the standard layouts and versions you might typically find but know there are many more than this.
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FourPeaks Solitaire: This variant adds an extra peak to the traditional TriPeaks layout, creating four peaks instead of three. The increased number of peaks adds complexity and requires more strategic thinking to clear all the cards.
Tripeaks Variants
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Diamond Solitaire: Diamond Solitaire changes the layout from peaks to a diamond shape. This alteration in the layout challenges players to adapt their strategies, as the different arrangement influences which cards are accessible and when.
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Five Bridges Solitaire: In this variation, the game layout includes five distinct peaks, connected by 'bridges' or rows of cards. Players must navigate this intricate layout, which offers more options for moves but also requires careful planning to manage the additional peaks and bridges.
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Hole in One: A unique twist on TriPeaks, Hole in One allows players to remove any exposed card from the layout, not just those one rank higher or lower than the card on the discard pile. This variant focuses more on finding the best strategy to clear the board with the given set of cards.
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TriPeaks Select: In this variant, players can choose from any of the exposed cards to play, not just the ones at the bottom of the peaks. This offers more choices and can change the strategy.
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TriTowers: Similar to TriPeaks but with a different layout. Instead of three peaks, cards are arranged in three tower-like structures, adding a different strategic element to the game.
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Triple Peaks: Essentially the same as traditional TriPeaks, but with more cards in each peak, making the game more challenging and longer to play.
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TriPeaks Time Challenge: A timed version where players must clear all three peaks as quickly as possible. This variant often includes a leaderboard for competitive play.
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Wild Card TriPeaks: This variant introduces wild cards into the deck, which can be used as a substitute for any card. This adds a layer of unpredictability and strategy to the game.
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Tournament TriPeaks: Designed for competitive play, this variant pits players against each other in a timed game to see who can score the most points or clear the peaks the fastest.
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Power-Up TriPeaks: In this version, players can use special power-up cards that have various effects, like removing a specific card or clearing a complete row.
Each variant offers a different level of challenge and strategy, making Pyramid Solitaire a versatile and engaging game for a variety of players.
Focus on making moves that expose the greatest number of cards. This strategy increases your potential for more playable combinations, enhancing your likelihood of winning.
Consider a scenario where you're faced with two options: removing a 5 of Diamonds to reveal two cards or a 7 of Diamonds to uncover just one. Generally, opting for the move that unveils more cards, in this case the 5, is the preferable strategy.
Tips & Tricks
Prioritize the Moves That Reveal the Most Cards
Creating longer runs in this game isn't just really satisfying; it's also a key to boosting your score. The longer the run, the more points you accumulate. A special note here is there is no standard scoring system for Tripeaks and a lot of games offer unique versions of it. That said runs can accumulate bigger scores and bonuses regardless.
Here's how it may work. Your first card in a sequence nets you one point, the second two points, the third three points, and this pattern continues. However, this scoring sequence resets when you draw a new card from the stockpile.
Imagine you form a run of 10 cards versus two separate runs of five cards each. In the first case, with a 10-card run, your score would be the sum of numbers from 1 to 10, which totals 55 points. In contrast, two runs of five cards each would yield two sums of numbers from 1 to 5, totaling 30 points. Despite removing an equal number of cards, a single longer sequence offers a 25-point advantage.
Now, consider a scenario where you can pull off a 12-card run. The points for this would add up from 1 to 12, giving you 78 points. This example illustrates how valuable longer sequences can be in maximizing your score.
Mastering the art of crafting extended card sequences begins with a thorough analysis of the card layout. Focus your attention on the cards just above the bottom row to identify potential candidates for a lengthy sequence.
Prioritize clearing the cards that are obstructing these key cards. While it might be tempting to quickly form a shorter sequence for immediate gratification, remaining committed to your strategy for a longer chain tends to be more rewarding in the long term.
Build Longer Runs
Jumping between rows in this game can hinder your ability to eliminate the most cards. It's essential to focus on clearing one row completely before moving on to the next. Adopting this methodical approach will expose more cards in each pyramid, increasing your chances of success.
Systematically Clear Each Row
By adding a joker into the deck or wild cards in digital versions makes the game more exciting and enjoyable. The wild card can act as any value allowing you to utilize it to get past spots of as a calculated move to clear the most cards.
Use Wild Cards Only When Necessary
Its hard to nail down an exact scoring system for Tripeaks so lets look at a couple options.
Points Per Card Removed:
Some games use 1 point per card whereas others might use 10 per card. Another difference might be in teh bonus you get for the remaining cards left in your stock pile.
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Remove a card from the layout = 1 Point
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Moving successive cards from the layout (Runs) = +1 point for each successive card. Example:
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1st card 1 Point
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2nd Card 2 Points
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3rd Card 3 Points
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And so on
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Cards left in the Stock Pile after clearing the layout = +1 Bonus Point Per Card
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Time Bonus: This can vary greatly as well so this can depend on the version you are playing.
Points Per Card Left:
Admittedly this is not very exciting but its simply the goal of the game to clear all the cards from the layout and be left with Zero Points.
Cards that are left could be considered 1 Point or you can use the value of the cards to score so a King could be 13 points.
Either way points are bad.
As you see there is a number of ways to score the game and its dependent on the version you are playing or what you prefer if you are playing with real cards.
Scoring
Again since there are a number of versions the odds of winning will vary.
If you are playing standard Tripeaks you should have an 80% chance of winning a game so its much easier than other variants.
If you are playing one of the many digital versions outside of the standard layout, layouts can vary greatly and are sometimes labeled Easy, Medium or Hard.
Odds of Winning
TriPeaks Solitaire was invented by Robert Hogue in 1989. Unlike many traditional card games that have ambiguous origins, TriPeaks has a clear and documented creation. Hogue's invention added a novel and engaging variation to the world of solitaire games, offering a unique layout and gameplay that differed from classic solitaire forms. The game gained broader recognition and popularity, particularly with its inclusion in computer-based solitaire collections, which helped introduce TriPeaks to a global audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Invented Tripeaks?
Why Do You Lose if You Go Through the Stock Pile Once?
The game would be 100% winnable if you were allowed to re-stack and use the stock pile again. There needs to be some sort of challenge to the game.