Cardmania Tripeaks Deluxe

Game Description: Play 20 challenging levels of tripeaks solitaire.

How to Play Cardmania Tripeaks Deluxe:

• Cardmania Tripeaks Deluxe is a card game played with a standard deck of 52 cards.
• Click the 'New Game' button. (Even if you are returning to play an existing saved game of Cardmania Tripeaks Deluxe you still must click the 'New Game' button).
• There are 20 levels of play.
• Click on the level you wish to play. (Only unlocked levels may be played. If this is your very first time playing Cardmania Tripeaks Deluxe only Level 1 will be unlocked and available. As you win each level, the next level will unlock. So after you win Level 1, the lock for Level 2 will disappear and you will be able to play that level and so forth).
• Each level begins with some cards dealt face down on the tableau overlapping each other, and a few cards dealt face up.
• The tableau formation for each level is unique, and is always repeated each time the level is played.
• The remaining cards form the stock (the face down cards at the bottom) and the first card of the waste pile (the face up card immediately to the right of the stock).
• Your goal is to move all cards from the tableau to the waste pile before or after the last card from the stock is discarded to the waste pile.
• Cards rank as usual: A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, and K.
• For a card in the tableau to be moved to the waste pile, it must be one rank higher or lower. For instance, if the waste pile shows a 7, any 6 or any 8 may be moved. (In tripeaks, suits do not matter. Only rank counts).
• Any Ace may be moved on any King, and any King may be moved on any Ace.
• When a card is moved to the waste pile that card becomes the new top card and the process is repeated several times (e.g. 8-9-10-J-10-J-Q-K-A-K-A-2-3, etc.) until the sequence stops.
• As play takes place, any face down cards on the tableau that are no longer overlapped are automatically turned face up and are immediately available for any possible play.
• When a sequence ends, and there are no more possible plays from the tableau, click the next card in the stock and try to begin a new sequence.
• The game clock is at the upper right corner.
• You have 3 minutes to complete each round.
• If you are able to remove all of the cards from the tableau before time runs out you win and go on to the next level of play.
• If you lose you may repeat a level until you are able to win.
• After you win a level click the 'Quit To Menu' button. (Don't worry. This will not erase any of your scores). It will simply take you to the 'Select Level - Click To Play' screen where you will select your next level of play.
• After each card from the tableau is placed on the waste pile the bonus meter indicator (the blue bar at the top), increases a bit. When it's filled all the way to the right and rings the bell, a bonus is awarded to the player. The indicator keeps decreasing, so move fast!
• Earn a Time Bonus for successfully finishing a level quickly.
• Earn a Card Bonus of 100 points for each card that remains in the stock when you successfully complete a level.
• Your total score is made up from all of the levels you have won. That score will show at the bottom of the 'Select Level - Click To Play' screen.
• You may also replay any level you have previously won to try to earn a higher score for that level. (If you happen to get a lower score than you previously had... no problem. Cardmania Tripeaks Deluxe will automatically keep your highest score for each level).
• Cardmania Tripeaks Deluxe will automatically save all of your level scores and game progress. Then, using the same computer, come back and continue your game.

Cardmania Tripeaks Deluxe Game Options:

• The game sounds, which are minimal anyway, may be turned on or off by clicking the 'Music On/Off' button which is located at the bottom of the game screen. This button is visible only during game play.

Cardmania Tripeaks Deluxe Playing Tips:

• As with all tripeaks games, the order in which you play your cards is always the most important factor. This determines how long your sequences will be. This simply takes experience.
• Pay close attention to the bonus meter indicator (the blue bar at the top). When you play your tableau cards fast enough the bonus meter will fill up and ring the bell. These bonus points are huge! So, definitely try for these.
• Even though you want to power up the bonus meter indicator as much as possible, try not to play so quickly that you start missing some moves. A lot of these levels on Cardmania Tripeaks Deluxe are quite difficult. So if you miss a move, or two, it becomes unlikely that you will win your level.

Richard's Rating: 3 out of 5.

Pro: If you enjoy tripeaks solitaire, I think you will probably enjoy playing Cardmania Tripeaks Deluxe.

Con: The only complaint I have with Cardmania Tripeaks Deluxe is the relative poor quality of the graphics, especially those of the cards themselves. While the cards are not blurry, they are certainly not as crisp or as sharp as they could have been.