Mahjong Solitaire takes the 144 tiles of mahjong and hands them to a single player. They are stacked into a layout, you remove them two at a time, and the board is finished when nothing is left.
Almost every game is decided by one rule, and it is the rule most people miss: you cannot take a tile that is trapped, however clearly you can see it.
How to play Mahjong Solitaire
A tile is playable only when it is free. Free means nothing rests on top of it and at least one of its long sides, left or right, has nothing beside it.
- Find two tiles carrying the same picture.
- Check that both are free before you reach for them.
- Click the pair to remove it. Whatever they were covering becomes available.
- Flowers and seasons are the exception. Any flower pairs with any other flower, any season with any other season, and matching them is worth extra.
- Carry on until the layout is empty.
If two identical tiles refuse to match, one of them is pinned on both sides or buried under another. Clear whatever is holding it first. The hint button in the corner will point at a legal move, it can be used as often as you like, and it costs you nothing on the scoreboard.
Tips and strategy
Boards are usually lost in the first minute, by taking the easy pairs around the outside and sealing the middle in.
- Take tiles off the top of the stacks first. Those are the ones blocking everything underneath.
- When three or four of the same picture are showing, stop and work out which pair leaves the other two reachable.
- Long horizontal rows only open from the ends, so clear them before they become a wall.
- Given a choice between two legal matches, take the one that uncovers a hidden tile rather than the one that tidies an edge.
More games like this
Last updated
Frequently asked questions
What are the rules of Mahjong Solitaire?
Remove the tiles in identical pairs. A tile can only be taken when nothing rests on top of it and either its left or its right side is clear. Clear all 144 tiles to win the board.
Why will two identical tiles not match?
Because at least one of them is blocked. A tile needs a clear left or right side and nothing stacked above it, so remove whatever is pinning it and the pair becomes legal.
What do the flower and season tiles match with?
Any flower matches any other flower, and any season matches any other season. They are the only tiles that do not need an exact twin, and they are worth more than an ordinary pair.
Do hints cost anything in Mahjong Solitaire?
No. The hint button shows a legal move, there is no limit on how often you use it, and your score is not reduced for asking.