TriPeaks Solitaire: The First Card Game Born on a Screen
Anna | May 26, 2025
Unlike most classic solitaire games with roots in dusty parlors and real card decks, TriPeaks Solitaire sprang fully formed from a computer monitor. In 1989, Microsoft developer and software engineer Robert Hogue designed a game with three overlapping peaks of cards and added it to Windows Entertainment Pack 3. Suddenly, users everywhere had a fresh challenge: clear the three peaks by building up or down, reveal hidden cards, all with a simple click.
Building the Peaks
Inspired by the simple rules of Golf Solitaire and the stacked layout of Pyramid, Hogue came up with a new design: 18 cards shaped into three connected peaks, ten face-up cards at the bottom and a stock pile to play through. The objective? Build up or down in rank regardless of suit, uncover hidden cards and clear the board.
He named it TriPeaks and it quickly stood out. Games were short, the rules were simple and the layout was instantly eye-catching, perfect for a digital audience.
From Pack to Phenomenon
When TriPeaks joined Windows Entertainment Pack 3 in early 1991 alongside favorites like SkiFree, Klotski and TetraVex, it found a ready audience. People were already glued to their PCs at work, and here was the perfect digital distraction, with no setup, no cleanup and just a few satisfying minutes of clicking through a clever puzzle.
In 1994, TriPeaks earned a spot in the Best of Microsoft Entertainment Pack, a curated selection of the most played titles from earlier releases. By then, millions of users had already passed the time unstacking those digital peaks on Windows 3.x and Windows 95 machines.
Robert Hogue remained at Microsoft from November 1989 until March 2004. He contributed to projects as varied as Windows 3.1, MS-DOS, Windows 95 and the original Xbox. While his main work focused on infrastructure and platform development, his quiet side project, TriPeaks Solitaire, added a little fun to the productivity powerhouse that was Windows.
TriPeaks Reborn
While games like Klondike, Spider and FreeCell came pre-installed on Windows XP, Vista and 7, TriPeaks stayed hidden in the older Windows Entertainment Pack. It wasn’t until 2012 that Microsoft brought it back as part of the Solitaire Collection for Windows 8. This new app bundled five classic games: Klondike, Spider, FreeCell, Pyramid and TriPeaks, all in one easy to use package and it was available as a free download from the Windows Store. When Windows 10 launched in 2015, the Solitaire Collection came pre-installed, bringing these favorites back to the desktop by default.
Along with the games, Microsoft added helpful features like daily challenges, star ratings, achievements, custom themes, cloud saving, leaderboards and social tools. These updates gave TriPeaks a fresh boost, bringing in a new generation of players across tablets, laptops and smartphones.
Beyond the Desktop
TriPeaks quickly made its way beyond office desktops and found its way into tabletop arcade machines, the kind built into restaurant counters and bar tables. Beneath the glass, the game was ready for a quick round while you waited for your food. It became a quiet favorite in casual spaces, even outside the usual tech crowd.
Today, dozens of TriPeaks apps on web, Android and iOS offer different versions of the game. Over time, developers added their own tweaks, some show all tableau cards face up, others use wraparound rules where Kings connect to Aces. On our browser edition at FreeSolitaire.com, we stick to the original style with face-down tableau cards and also use wraparound rules for smoother gameplay. You’ll also find handy features like undo buttons, built-in hints, customizable themes and smooth controls designed for both touch and mouse. All of this helps give you the best possible TriPeaks experience.
Still Peaking After All These Years
More than 30 years after its debut, TriPeaks remains one of the most enjoyable ways to spend a few spare minutes. It’s quick, satisfying and easy to pick up, whether you’re at a desk, on your phone or just passing time. It’s come a long way since those early pixel days, but the charm hasn’t changed. With just enough strategy to stay interesting, yet never overwhelming, TriPeaks keeps things fun, light and endlessly replayable.
