The game is played with a single pack of 52 playing cards. The cards are dealt to form three overlapping peaks. A single card is then dealt face up from the remaining cards to start a waste pile.

The object of Tri-Peaks is to transfer all the cards from the tableau to the waste pile.

Any completely uncovered card in the tableau can be moved to the waste pile, if it follows the current card on the waste pile, in ascending or descending sequence, regardless of suit.

Uncovering cards further up the peaks, allows them to also be moved to the waste pile.

You win the game when you've removed all the cards from the tableau to the waste pile, demolishing the three peaks.