How to Play TriPeaks Solitaire
TriPeaks is the quick, streaky solitaire: three peaks of cards, one rule (play a card one rank up or down from the waste), and a satisfying cascade when a long run uncovers half the board. Two minutes to learn, a lifetime of near misses.
The layout
From a standard 52-card deck, 28 cards are dealt into three overlapping peaks: a top row of three single cards, a row of six beneath them (two under each peak), a row of nine, and a base row of ten that runs the full width. Each card in the upper rows is overlapped by two cards in the row below. Only the base row is face up to begin with. One more card is turned up to start the waste, and the remaining 23 cards form the stock.
The one rule of play
You may move any uncovered card from the peaks onto the waste if it is one rank higher or one rank lower than the waste's top card. Suits and colours are irrelevant. A 9 goes on an 8 or a 10; a Jack goes on a 10 or a Queen. On CardCouch the ranks form a loop, so an Ace goes on a King and a King on an Ace. Each card you play becomes the new waste top, so a run can snake up and down: 5, 6, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, A, K.
A card is uncovered when both cards overlapping it from below have been played. The moment that happens it turns face up and joins the playable cards. CardCouch highlights every card that currently fits the waste.
Drawing from the stock
When nothing uncovered fits, tap the stock to turn its top card onto the waste and try again with the new card. The stock is dealt through once; there is no recycling. Drawing also resets your streak, the count of peak cards played in a row, which the game tracks and remembers as a personal best. You may draw even when a play is available, which is occasionally right (see the strategy guide) but usually wastes a stock card.
Winning and losing
You win when all 28 peak cards are gone; what remains in the stock does not matter. The game is lost when the stock is empty and no uncovered card fits the waste. Not every deal is winnable with a single pass, but most are, and unlimited undo lets you back up to the point where a different choice would have kept the run alive.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'one rank up or down' mean?
The card you play must be exactly one rank above or below the waste's top card: a 7 goes on a 6 or an 8, a Queen on a Jack or a King. Suits are ignored. On CardCouch Ace and King are also neighbours, so a run can wrap from K to A or A to K.
Which cards can I play?
Only uncovered cards: the base row from the start, and any card whose two covering cards have both been removed. Covered cards stay face down until then.
How many times can I go through the stock?
Once. There are 23 cards in the stock; when they are gone, only the cards that still fit the waste can be played. Unlimited undo lets you replay a line.
What is a streak?
The number of cards you play from the peaks in a row without drawing from the stock. Drawing resets it. CardCouch counts your streak during the game and remembers your longest one.
Is TriPeaks the same as Golf Solitaire?
They are cousins. Golf Solitaire uses seven columns of five cards and usually forbids the King–Ace wrap; TriPeaks uses the three-peak layout with cards face down until uncovered. The play — one rank up or down onto the waste — is the same idea.