- The Original IQ Tester Game circa 1976, Made in USA, and a solitary adventure. Easy to cary and to play the game, start with any one hole empty. As you jump the pegs remove them from the board.
- Card value for making board moves: Play begins by using a King, Queen, Jack or Ace to move a peg from any of the five HOME positions to the COME OUT position.
The numbers reveal that more games end with one peg remaining than with five or more pegs remaining. In theory, it is easier to do very well than very poorly. However, most (92%) of the possible games finish with two, three, or four pegs remaining. Worst Game for Starting Point #1. The Peg Game made popular in recent years by Cracker Barrel restaurants has long been an intriguing challenge for people of all ages. The puzzle is frequently referred to as the I.Q. Test and often proves difficult to solve even by those who have solved it before.
This PDF download includes Cut Diagrams, a List of Supplies, and 3D illustrations with detailed steps to build the project. Measurements are in imperial and not metric. Does NOT include SketchUp/CAD files.
The plans are embedded on the webpage for free, but if you would like to support the website, you can pay a small fee to purchase the printable PDFs.
Thank you for your support!
Triangle Peg Game
Tools for this Project
- Drill
- Tape Measure
- Milwaukee 1 3/8″ Hole Saw Bit
- Sander
- Miter Saw
- Clamps
Material List
- 1x12x20″
- 1 1/4″ Dowel Rod
- Wood Glue
Note: Lumber dimensions are listed as nominal size. See lumber sizes for actual dimensions vs nominal.
Disclosure: Some of the links on this page as well as links in “tools for this project” and “material list” sections are affiliate links.
Dimensions
Step 1 – Cut Two Triangle Boards
First, download and print the 11×17 template. Then cut out the template with succors and trace it over on to the 1×12 board. You will need to cut two of these triangle boards. If you don’t have a template then take 1×12 board and layout two triangles per provided dimensions in the cut list. The length of each triangle side should be 12 7/8″. Cut both triangles using a miter saw that has a sliding blade. Otherwise, you could just use a skill saw.
Step 2 – Mark Center of Holes with a Nail
Tape the paper template on one of the triangles. Then place a regular nail over the center of the circle and hit slightly with a hammer leaving a mark on the wood were to drill the hole. Do this for all of the circles.
Step 3 – Drill 15 Holes in the Upper Triangle Board
Clamp one of the boards to your workbench so that it doesn’t move. Then using a 1 3/8″ hole saw bit, place the bit over the nail mark and drill through the board. Drill all 15 holes.
Step 4 – Glue Boards Together
Insanity Peg Game Instructions
After all of the holes are drilled, take the second triangle and glue it on the bottom using just wood glue. Clamp the boards together and let the glue dry.
Step 5 – Cut 14 Pegs From a Dowel Rod
Take 1 1/4″ wooden dowel rod (typically used in the closets for coat hangers) and using a miter saw cut 14 pieces to 1 1/2″ in length. You only need 14 pegs because one hole is always empty. Sand the edges on both sides of each peg to make then rounded.
Step 6 – Stain or Paint
Sand the board on both sides to remove any rough edges and dry glue. Then you could stain it or leave it as is and only apply polyurethane for wood protection. I used Classic Gray stain on the pegboard and Dark Walnut on the pegs. You’re done with this simple DIY triangle peg game. Have fun!