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Frequently Asked Questions About Tri-Peaks Solitaire
Answers to the most common questions about Tri-Peaks solitaire rules, scoring, strategy, and gameplay. Whether you are learning the game for the first time or looking to improve your score, you will find the answer here.
What is Tri-Peaks solitaire?
Tri-Peaks (also called Three Peaks or Tri Towers) is a single-player card game where 28 cards are arranged into three overlapping pyramid-shaped peaks with the remaining 24 cards forming a stock pile. You remove exposed tableau cards that are one rank higher or lower than the top waste pile card, regardless of suit. The goal is to clear all three peaks.
Can an Ace be played on a King in Tri-Peaks?
Yes. Tri-Peaks uses wrapping, which means Ace and King are considered adjacent ranks. You can play an Ace on a King and a King on an Ace. This wrapping rule is critical for maintaining long streaks and clearing difficult boards.
How does streak scoring work?
Each consecutive card you remove without drawing from the stock earns one more point than the previous removal. The first card scores 1 point, the second scores 2, the third scores 3, and so on. Drawing from the stock resets the streak back to 1. Clearing an individual peak awards a 15-point bonus, and clearing all three peaks adds another 15-point completion bonus.
What percentage of Tri-Peaks games are winnable?
Approximately 90 percent of Tri-Peaks deals are theoretically solvable with perfect play. However, the actual win rate for most players is closer to 60 to 70 percent because hidden cards under the peaks create uncertainty and suboptimal draws reduce available options. Strategic card selection can improve your win rate significantly.
When should I draw from the stock instead of removing a card?
Drawing from the stock resets your streak, so avoid it when you can keep a chain going. However, there are times when drawing is correct: if the available removal would block access to more valuable cards underneath, or if you need a specific rank to unlock a peak card, drawing to find that rank may produce a higher total score in the long run.
What does it mean for a card to be exposed?
A card is exposed when no other card from the row above overlaps it. At the start of the game only the ten base-row cards are exposed. As you remove base-row cards, the face-down cards in the row above become uncovered, are turned face-up, and can now be selected. You work your way from the bottom of each peak toward the single card at the top.
Is Tri-Peaks a game of skill or luck?
Tri-Peaks is a mix of both. Luck determines which cards are dealt and where they are placed in the peaks. Skill comes from choosing which exposed card to remove when multiple options are available, deciding when to draw from stock versus continuing a streak, and prioritizing peak cards that uncover the most hidden cards. Expert players consistently outscore beginners on the same deals.
What happens when the stock pile runs out?
When all 24 stock cards have been drawn, no more cards can be added to the waste pile. You must rely entirely on exposed tableau cards that match the current waste card. If no such card exists, the game ends immediately. Your final score is based on the streak points, peak bonuses, and completion bonus (if earned) accumulated during the game.
How is Tri-Peaks different from Pyramid solitaire?
Both games use a pyramid-shaped layout, but the mechanics differ. In Pyramid solitaire you remove pairs of exposed cards that add up to 13, regardless of the waste pile. In Tri-Peaks you remove single cards that are one rank away from the waste pile card. Tri-Peaks also has three separate peaks instead of one large pyramid and uses streak-based scoring rather than pair-matching.
Can I undo a move in Tri-Peaks solitaire?
The rules for undo vary by implementation. On SuitedGames you can undo your most recent move to try a different path. In traditional paper-based play there is no undo. Competitive and timed variants typically disable undo to preserve challenge. Regardless of undo rules, planning ahead before committing to a removal produces better results than relying on undo.
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