How To Win The Peg Game: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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How to Win the Peg Game Download Article Reviewed by Ashton Wu

Last Updated: November 3, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Knowing the Puzzle
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• Winning the Game
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• Video
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• Q&A
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• Tips

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This article was reviewed by Ashton Wu. Ashton Wu is a Board Game expert at Shelfside. After delving into the Yugioh tournament community while growing up, Ashton launched himself into the board gaming community in 2014 and went into reviewing board games as a career full-time in 2019. His YouTube channel Shelfside has over 50K subscribers and over 4 million views, assisted by written reviews on the Shelfside website and BoardGameGeek.com. He also consults with gaming companies to build high-quality gaming products. Ashton is a tournament commentator, board game playthrough director, and host of the Shelfside Podcast, where he talks about board games with his business partner, Daniel. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics at the University of California, Santa Barbara, in addition to the Technology Management Certificate. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 2,874,184 times.

You may have come across the "Peg Game" in a number of restaurants throughout the country. The game consists of a small wooden triangle board with 15 holes in it and 14 pegs. Starting with one empty spot, the player is supposed to jump pegs until there is only one left. Some of these games state that if you can complete them, you're a genius- so here's an easy strategy to win the game and impress your family and friends!

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 2:

Knowing the Puzzle

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1. 1 Learn the rules. Like checkers, the point of the game is to jump pegs and remove them from the game. The rules are simple:[1]
   • To jump a peg, it must have an empty space next to it.
   • You can use any peg as a jumper, as long as the peg you jump is directly adjacent to it and has an open space next to it.
   • Every peg you jump must be removed.
   • You win when there is only one peg left.
2. 2 Understand the board. Each space on the board has a number from 1 to 15. The top point of the triangle is position 1, and the bottom right is position 15.[2] This list will use this numbering scheme when describing moves, so keep it in mind. Advertisement
3. 3 Learn the theory behind the puzzle.[3] There is an intricate mathematical theory that explains the puzzle. This isn't all necessary to win the game, but there are some highlights to keep in mind that will help you solve the puzzle.[4]
   • Mathematically, you can mess the game up with two bad moves. That means that after just two bad moves, the puzzle becomes impossible to solve. Make your moves count!
   • Plan your moves carefully. If you move randomly there is a 50% chance you'll end up with an unsolvable puzzle within two moves.
   • There are 6,816 solutions to the puzzle. All those solutions, however, are just modifications of two main solution patterns.[5]
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Part 2 Part 2 of 2:

Winning the Game

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1. 1 Begin the game. Start with position 1 empty. This would be the top point of the triangle. There are other methods of solving the puzzle, but this one is the most common and easiest.[6]
   • In the following videos, grey circles indicate empty holes, red circles indicate pegs you will be moving, and blue holes indicate pegs that are not in play.
2. 2 Make the diamond shape. This basic pattern can be repeated throughout the board, helping you win the game.[7]
   • Take the peg in position 4 and jump it over the peg in position 2. It will then be in position 1.
   • Use the peg in position 6 to jump position 5. It will now be in position 4.
   • Use the peg in position 1 to jump position 3. It will now be in position 6.
   • These moves will give you the diamond base.
3. 3 Make two groups of pegs. As you'll see, the next set of moves will divide the pegs into two groups, one on each side of the triangle.
   • Move the peg in position 7 to position 2, jumping position 4.
   • Move peg 13 to position 4.
   • Next, move peg 10 to position 8.
   • You should now have two groups of pegs, with 5 pegs on the left side and 3 on the right.
4. 4 Separate the triangle in two. This next set of steps will make a curved line across the triangle, dividing it into two parts.[8]
   • Move peg 2 to position 7. Then take that same peg and move it to position 9.
   • Next, move peg 15 to position 13.
5. 5 Move your last pegs to the bottom row. These moves will leave you with three final pegs, all in the bottom row.[9]
   • Move peg 12 into position 14.
   • Next move peg 6 to position 13.
   • You should now just have three pegs left in the bottom row.
6. 6 Complete the last moves. Move peg 14 to position 12. Then make the last move, peg 11 to position 13.[10]
7. 7 Win the game. The ending peg should be in the 13th hole.[11] Congratulations! You've just completed the Peg Game.
   • You can take this game when you go for babysitting.[12]
   • It will be fun and exciting for the kid.[13]
   • The parents will appreciate that you have come with something to keep the kid engaged.[14]
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Community Q&A

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• Question How do I play Chinese checkers? Community Answer The objective of Chinese checkers is to have all your marbles in your opponent's triangle. Each marble can only move on space in one turn unless you jump. Each marble can jump over another marble. You can make as many jumps as possible for the marble you are jumping in one turn. This game requires planning ahead and thinking, so you can get to your opponents triangle before they get to yours! Check out this article for more detailed instructions: how to play chinese checkers. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 36 Helpful 40
• Question Can I jump from 1 to 13? Community Answer No, 1 can't jump to 13 even if it jumps over a peg such as peg 2 or 3. It would land on spaces 4 or 6. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 63 Helpful 60
• Question Can I only move one every time I take a move? Community Answer You can only jump over one peg when it's your turn. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 61 Helpful 43

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Tips

• If you don't follow these steps or forget them, the following advice is helpful: Don't jump into a corner or out of the center.[15] Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

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References

1. ↑ https://www.joenord.com/triangle-peg-board-game-solutions-to-amaze-your-friends/
2. ↑ https://www.joenord.com/triangle-peg-board-game-solutions-to-amaze-your-friends/
3. ↑ https://www.gibell.net/pegsolitaire/tindex.html#Triangle5
4. ↑ https://www.jaapsch.net/puzzles/trisolit.htm
5. ↑ https://www.durangobill.com/PegSolitaire.html
6. ↑ https://www.joenord.com/triangle-peg-board-game-solutions-to-amaze-your-friends/
7. ↑ https://blog.crackerbarrel.com/how-to-beat-the-cracker-barrel-peg-game/
8. ↑ https://blog.crackerbarrel.com/how-to-beat-the-cracker-barrel-peg-game/
9. ↑ https://blog.crackerbarrel.com/how-to-beat-the-cracker-barrel-peg-game/

More References (6)

10. ↑ https://blog.crackerbarrel.com/how-to-beat-the-cracker-barrel-peg-game/
11. ↑ https://blog.crackerbarrel.com/how-to-beat-the-cracker-barrel-peg-game/
12. ↑ Jessie Davidson. Child Care Specialist. Expert Interview
13. ↑ Jessie Davidson. Child Care Specialist. Expert Interview
14. ↑ Jessie Davidson. Child Care Specialist. Expert Interview
15. ↑ https://www.gibell.net/pegsolitaire/CBTips.html

About This Article

Reviewed by: Ashton Wu Game Expert This article was reviewed by Ashton Wu. Ashton Wu is a Board Game expert at Shelfside. After delving into the Yugioh tournament community while growing up, Ashton launched himself into the board gaming community in 2014 and went into reviewing board games as a career full-time in 2019. His YouTube channel Shelfside has over 50K subscribers and over 4 million views, assisted by written reviews on the Shelfside website and BoardGameGeek.com. He also consults with gaming companies to build high-quality gaming products. Ashton is a tournament commentator, board game playthrough director, and host of the Shelfside Podcast, where he talks about board games with his business partner, Daniel. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics at the University of California, Santa Barbara, in addition to the Technology Management Certificate. This article has been viewed 2,874,184 times. 51 votes - 77% Co-authors: 29 Updated: November 3, 2025 Views: 2,874,184 Categories: Board Games Article SummaryX

To win the peg game, start with hole 1, or the top hole of the triangle, open. Then, take the peg in hole 4 and jump over the peg in hole 2. Use the peg in hole 6 to jump the peg in hole 5, then use the peg in hole 1 to jump the peg in hole 3. At this point the 4 empty holes at the top of the triangle should make a diamond shape. Next, use the peg in hole 7 to jump the peg in hole 4. Use the peg in hole 13 to jump the peg in hole 8, then use the peg in hole 10 to jump the peg in hole 9. From there, use the peg in hole 2 to jump the peg in hole 4. Use the peg in hole 7 to jump the peg in hole 8, then use the peg in hole 15 to jump the peg in hole 14. Now, use the peg in hole 12 to jump the peg in hole 13. Use the peg in hole 6 to jump the peg in hole 9, then use the peg in hole 14 to jump the peg in hole 13. Finally, use the peg in hole 11 to jump the peg in hole 12 so you just have one peg left. For more information, including the theory behind the game, scroll down! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

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  Nicholas Fritchen

  Mar 10, 2017

  "I was making the peg game for a school project for shop class, and I always wanted to know how to get one peg. My..." more

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Reviewed by: Ashton Wu Game Expert 51 votes - 77% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 29 Updated: November 3, 2025 Views: 2,874,184

Nicholas Fritchen

Mar 10, 2017

"I was making the peg game for a school project for shop class, and I always wanted to know how to get one peg. My..." more

Sara Harpilio

Jan 5, 2022

"I figured out how to solve the peg game so I told my family. They wanted to see proof so I tried again before..." more

Mac Q.

May 10, 2017

"It helped me a lot. The pics shown are really precise and easy to understand. You just need to practice few times. " Rated this article:

Anonymous

Jul 29, 2016

"It helped me with the ladies, because they like a fine gentlemen that can solve the Cracker Barrel game with ease."

Kyle Castleberry

Jul 27, 2017

"I haven't lost a game since my wife and son are completely amazed that dad is "sooo" smart!! Thanks..." more Rated this article: Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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