Mahjong Solitaire, free online
Mahjong Solitaire is the classic tile-matching puzzle: 144 tiles stacked in the shape of a turtle, and a simple goal of clearing them all in pairs. The challenge is choosing the right pair, because the tiles you leave behind decide whether the last layers open up.
Every deal here can be won. Tap two matching free tiles, use Hint when you are stuck, undo any move, and play full screen for bigger tiles. On a phone, full screen turns the board sideways.
How to play Mahjong Solitaire
- Tiles are stacked in layers. Remove them in matching pairs until none are left.
- You can only take a free tile. A tile is free when no tile lies on top of it and its left or right side is open.
- Two tiles match when they are identical. Any two flower tiles match each other, and so do any two season tiles.
- Tap one free tile, then its match. Blocked tiles are shown slightly darker.
- If no matching free pair is left, use Shuffle to re-deal the remaining tiles.
Mahjong Solitaire tips
Open the long rows first
Tiles at the ends of the long rows block many others. Clearing them early frees more tiles than picking from the middle.
Free the top of the stack
The tile on the very top covers four others. Removing high tiles early gives you more choices later.
Think before taking an easy pair
When three or four copies of a tile are free, choose the pair that unblocks the most tiles, and keep the other copy for later.
Watch the tiles under a stack
If all four copies of a tile are buried under each other, you will need to dig one out. Plan for it early.
Frequently asked questions
Can every game be won?
Yes. Each deal is built from a real winning order before you see it, so there is always a way to clear the board. Shuffle re-deals the remaining tiles the same way, so it can never make a board unwinnable.
Which tiles match?
Identical tiles match. The four flower tiles all match each other, and so do the four season tiles, even though their pictures differ.
What is the difference between the two layouts?
Classic is the traditional 144-tile turtle in five layers. Compact has 72 tiles in two layers and bigger tiles, which is easier on a phone held upright.
Is this the same as the four-player game of mahjong?
No. It uses the same tiles, but Mahjong Solitaire is a one-player matching puzzle. The four-player game is about building winning hands.
