Kris Mahjong
Kris Mahjong is standard mahjong solitaire with dishes and ingredients on the tiles instead of the traditional suits.
The swap has a practical effect beyond the artwork. Classic mahjong tiles are deliberately similar, and telling one circle suit tile from its neighbour is a genuine part of the difficulty. Food items are separate shapes in separate colours, so recognition stops being a task and the puzzle underneath is all that is left.
That makes it a good board to learn the actual rules on, and a relaxed one if you already know them.
- Tiles are laid out in a stacked pattern.
- Match two tiles showing the same food to remove the pair.
- Only tiles with nothing on top and one open side can be selected.
- Clear the whole layout to finish.
How to play Kris Mahjong
Scanning by colour
Because the tiles are colour coded rather than pattern coded, you can scan for a colour first and check shapes second. Pick a colour, find every instance on the board, then work out which of those are actually free.
That routine clears a layout considerably faster than reading tiles one at a time, and it is the main advantage a themed set gives you.
Order still decides everything
The theme makes recognition easy. It does not make the puzzle easy. Mahjong solitaire is still won or lost in the first few moves, when a convenient pair buries something you will need later.
More layouts are on the mahjong page, and the sweets version is Mahjongg Candy.
Tips and strategy
Choosing pairs
- Clear the top layers first. Tiles taken from the top free several below, tiles taken from a row end free one.
- With four identical tiles visible, decide which two to remove so the remaining pair stays reachable.
- Take the match that opens tiles over the match that is merely convenient.
Reading the layout
- Long rows are queues. Only the ends are available, so clear from the end that unlocks more.
- Tall stacks are where boards lock. Start on them rather than leaving them.
- A visible tile is not necessarily a free tile.
What to unlearn
- Assuming a themed board is an easier puzzle. Only the recognition is easier.
- Matching on sight without checking what it opens.
- Leaving the dense centre until last.
More games like this
Play our free daily puzzles See all →
Made by us. One a day, the same for everyone, no sign up.
Last updated
Frequently asked questions
When can I take a tile in Kris Mahjong?
When nothing rests on top of it and either its left or its right side is open.
Is a themed board easier than classic mahjong?
Only to read. Food items are more distinct than traditional suits, so recognition is faster, but the puzzle itself is identical.
Is there a time limit?
No. You can study the layout before committing to a match.
Can a layout become unwinnable?
Yes, if convenient pairs cleared early bury tiles you still need.