TriPeaks Solitaire Scoring: Streaks, Stars & Maximizing Points

Each consecutive card removed from the layout without drawing from the stock scores an increasing number of points. The first card in a chain scores 1 point, the second scores 2, the third scores 3, and so on — the n-th card in a chain scores n points. The total score for a chain of length n is n(n+1)/2.

A chain of 5 cards scores 15 points. A chain of 10 cards scores 55 points. A chain of 15 cards scores 120 points. The exponential growth means that building one long chain is drastically more efficient than building many short ones — a single 10-card chain (55 pts) scores more than three 5-card chains (45 pts total) even though a 5-card chain uses fewer cards.

Drawing from the stock resets your streak to zero. This means every stock draw is both a card spent and a streak lost. The cost of a stock draw is therefore: (the points you would have earned by extending your current chain by at least one more card).

If your current streak is at 8 cards, the next card in the chain would score 9 points. If drawing from stock gives you a card that starts a new chain, your first new card scores just 1 point. That’s an 8-point loss from the streak reset alone. High streaks make stock draws increasingly costly.

Many TriPeaks implementations use a star rating system: 1 star for completing the hand, 2 stars for completing it with stock cards remaining, 3 stars for completing it with a minimum number of stock draws or a minimum score. The exact thresholds vary by implementation.

To consistently earn 3 stars, aim for: clearing all three peaks, maintaining at least one streak of 10+ cards, and finishing with 5 or more stock cards undrawn. These targets are achievable on favorable deals if you plan your chains before playing.

Identify your longest possible chain before making any move. Scan the bottom row for rank sequences (3-4-5 or 10-9-8, wrapping A-K or K-A) and trace how each sequence could continue upward into the peaks as they uncover. The chain that extends most naturally through unblocking moves is your target.

Sacrifice a shorter chain start to preserve a longer one. If playing a 6 now would start a 4-card chain, but that 6 is also the bridge into an 8-card chain later once a peak uncovers, hold off. Let the peak uncover first, then chain through the 6 into the longer sequence.