Buzz
While Cracker Barrel is known for its comfort food, it’s also a haven for entertainment. After exploring the store and relaxing in one of the rocking chairs, diners waiting for their meal often pass the time with the iconic peg game found at each table. The 15-hole triangular board serves as more than just a distraction; for many, it becomes an obsession. If you've ever made a special stop just to tackle the peg game, here’s how to beat it.
The concept of the game, also known as 'peg solitaire' or 'Hi-Q,' is straightforward. The board starts with 15 holes, all but one filled with pegs. By jumping one peg over another into an empty space, you remove the peg that was jumped. The objective is to keep playing until only one peg remains.
It may sound simple, but those who’ve tried it know that achieving a single remaining peg is trickier than it seems. A wrong move early on can make the game unwinnable. To avoid being stuck, Cracker Barrel suggests memorizing a strategy in advance.
Next time you play, label each hole with a number, starting with 1 at the lowest point and ending with 15 in the upper-left corner. Refer to the illustration below to see where each number is positioned.
To start, arrange the board so that hole No.1 is empty. Then, follow this sequence: move peg 4 to hole 1, peg 6 to hole 4, and peg 1 to hole 6. This will create an empty diamond shape at the triangle’s base. Next, move peg 7 to hole 2, peg 13 to hole 4, and peg 2 to hole 7. To clear the bottom two rows, move peg 10 to hole 8, peg 7 to hole 9, peg 15 to hole 13, and peg 12 to hole 14. Finally, move peg 6 to hole 13, peg 14 to hole 12, and peg 11 to hole 13, leaving you with just one peg in hole 13.
If memorizing all those steps seems too much, or if you'd prefer not to feel like you're cheating, you can still improve your game with a simple rule. Avoid starting your moves from the center of the board, and steer clear of hopping into corners. These common mistakes are a fast track to a dead end. Your main challenge now is to finish the game before your biscuits and gravy arrive.
