How to play Mahjong solitaire

Mahjong solitaire is a calm tile-matching puzzle for one player. Find two matching free tiles, remove them, and gradually open the layered board until every tile has gone. You may also know it as mahjongg. This version has six original layouts, artwork drawn especially for the game and a fresh daily board alongside unlimited free play.

A tile is free when nothing overlaps its top and either its left side or its right side is open. A gap above or below does not open a side. Tap a free tile to select it, then tap a matching free tile to remove the pair. The lifted tile shows your selection; tapping it again cancels. A gentle shake explains when a tile is still blocked.

Recognise the tile families

Dots have rings, Bamboo has green stalks, and Characters use a clear numeral with a red brush mark. Match the same number within the same suit. Winds carry E, S, W or N; Dragons have a red or green emblem or a white framed panel. These must match exactly. Flowers have petals and stems: any two Flowers match. Seasons show spring leaves, a sun, an autumn leaf or a snowflake: any two Seasons match.

Strategy: open the board

Look beyond the first pair you spot. Removing a raised tile can reveal several faces; removing an edge pair can open a long row. If three identical tiles are free, compare what each choice will uncover before choosing two. Keep an eye on the pairs-available counter. There is no need to rush in free play, so try reading the next layer before committing.

Hint pulses an available matching pair. Show free tiles adds a subtle outline, while High contrast strengthens tile borders. Undo steps back through removals and shuffles. Shuffle keeps the same remaining faces and fills their positions with a new solvable arrangement. Both controls can rescue a board with no matching free pair.

One daily board, or your own pace

The daily rotates through Tortoise, Bridge, Lighthouse, Butterfly, Pier and Castle. Its clock starts only when you press Start and keeps running if you leave. Begin with 1,000 points and deduct 0.6 per second, 30 per hint and 60 per shuffle. A finish always earns at least 100 points. Free play offers freshly generated boards, an Easy assist and records saved separately for each layout on your device.

Mahjong FAQ

Is this the four-player game?

This is mahjong solitaire: a single-player tile-matching puzzle. It uses familiar tile families but has no betting, dealing turns or multiplayer hands.

Which tiles can I match?

Match identical faces, except that any Flower matches another Flower and any Season matches another Season. Both tiles must be free on top and on at least one side.

Are all boards solvable?

Every starting board has a checked route to the finish. Your choices may block it, so Undo and Shuffle can help. A shuffle keeps the remaining tiles and creates a fresh solvable route.

Can I play unlimited mahjong for free?

Yes. Free play generates a new solvable board whenever you choose New game. Six layouts, hints, shuffle and undo are available without an account.

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