How To Always Win The Peg Game At Cracker Barrel

Have you ever dined-in at a Cracker Barrel? If yes, odds are you've played or at least watched another customer tinker with the little peg game. The Southern food chain is famous for many things: their rocking chairs, biscuits, country fried steak, and pancakes. And who could forget their Old Country Store, a souvenir shop filled to the brim with tchotchkes, specialty items, and official Cracker Barrel kitchen products. However, there's one item in particular that Cracker Barrel is notorious for: the little peg game.

A kid's toy, the triangle wooden game can spin CB customers of all ages into a cluster. The objective is to discard all 13 pegs until there's one left standing. The only way to get rid of a peg is by hopping over it with another peg — if there's an empty space on the other side. Pegs can be moved sideways, up and down, and kitty-corner. Again, only if there's an abandoned hole on the other side of the peg, can a peg be hopped over.

We know it may sound confusing, but it's not so confusing as it is frustrating. One wrong move can cost you the game (and your temper).

There's one proven method to winning the little peg game every time.

As reported by The Daily Meal, there are almost 7,000 workable ways to beat the little peg game. In case you'd rather just nail down the easiest, they've written out a step-by-step strategy to conquering the triangle game. According to peg game experts, here's how to win every time (stay with us, there are a lot of steps to remember): First, arrange the pegs so position 1 is left open. Then, move peg 4 to position 1. After that, move peg 6 to position 4 and then peg 1 to position 6. Next, move peg 7 to position 2, then peg 13 to position 4, and then move peg 10 to position 8. After that, you should move peg 2 to position 7, peg 7 to position 9, peg 15 to position 13. Now you're over half-way to victory! Move peg 12 into position 14, then peg 6 to position 13, and then move peg 14 to position 12. Finally, move peg 11 to position 13 and you will have crushed your competition. Think you've got it? 

The good news is, Cracker Barrel is no longer the only place where you can play the game. Those wanting to get in some practice (or memorize their moves) can purchase the little peg game at the Old Country Store or online for just $2.99. If you're interested in learning more about the game, check out an engineer's in-depth breakdown (at Wannamaker.org) examining everything from the best starting points, stats, and more. Good luck!