How to Play Mahjong Solitaire
Mahjong Solitaire (also known as Shanghai Solitaire or Mahjongg) is a single-player tile-matching puzzle game using Mahjong tiles. The goal is to clear all tiles from the board by matching pairs.
Game Setup
- 144 Mahjong tiles arranged in a special layered pattern (classic "turtle" layout)
- Multiple layers stacked on top of each other
- All tiles are visible from the start
Objective
Remove all 144 tiles from the board by matching pairs of identical free tiles.
Game Rules
- Free Tiles: A tile is "free" if it has no tiles on top of it AND at least one side (left or right) is completely open. Only free tiles can be selected.
- Matching: Click two identical free tiles to remove them from the board. They must be exactly the same symbol.
- Regular Tiles: Bamboo, Characters, Dots, Winds, and Dragons must match exactly (same symbol).
- Special Tiles: Any Season tile matches any other Season tile, and any Flower tile matches any other Flower tile. This gives you more flexibility!
- Blocked Tiles: Tiles that have other tiles on top or are blocked on both sides cannot be selected. The tile must have at least one side completely open.
Understanding the Tiles
There are 144 tiles total in Mahjong Solitaire, made up of several different types:
Tile Types
- Bamboo (🀐-🀘): Nine different bamboo tiles (4 of each) = 36 tiles
- Characters (🀀-🀈): Nine different character tiles (4 of each) = 36 tiles
- Dots (🀙-🀡): Nine different dot tiles (4 of each) = 36 tiles
- Winds (🀀-🀃): Four wind directions (4 of each) = 16 tiles
- Dragons (🀄-🀆): Three dragon tiles (4 of each) = 12 tiles
- Seasons (🀦-🀩): Four season tiles (1 of each, all match each other) = 4 tiles
- Flowers (🀢-🀥): Four flower tiles (1 of each, all match each other) = 4 tiles
Tips & Tricks
- Not All Games Are Winnable: Unlike FreeCell, not every Mahjong layout can be solved. If you get stuck, try the Shuffle feature or start a new game.
- Learn the Symbols: Spend time familiarizing yourself with the different tile symbols. This helps you spot matches faster.
- Count Your Matches: Keep track of how many of each tile type you've removed. This helps you know which matches are still available.
- Edge Tiles First: Tiles on the edges are often easier to access and can help clear paths to center tiles.
- Practice Makes Perfect: The more you play, the better you'll become at recognizing patterns and planning ahead.
Winning the Game
You win when all 72 pairs have been matched and the board is completely clear! Your completion time will be displayed, and you can try to beat your best time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play Mahjong Solitaire?
Match pairs of identical tiles to remove them from the board. Only tiles that are free on at least one side (left or right) and not covered by other tiles can be selected. Continue matching until all tiles are removed or no more moves are possible.
What tiles can you match in Mahjong Solitaire?
You can match any two identical tiles that are free (not blocked on both sides or covered by other tiles). Most tiles must match exactly, but the four Flower tiles can match with any other Flower, and the four Season tiles can match with any other Season.
Is Mahjong Solitaire the same as regular Mahjong?
No, Mahjong Solitaire is a single-player matching game using Mahjong tiles, while traditional Mahjong is a multiplayer strategy game. Mahjong Solitaire is also called Shanghai or Mahjong Titans and uses a different rule set than the classic Chinese game.