Mahjong Solitaire

How to play Mahjong (Mahjong Solitaire) — learn the rules, tile freedom, special sets (Flowers & Seasons), power-ups, and winning strategies. We focus on the solo version you play online, not the 4-player table game. Try what you learn instantly in our Mahjong games library.

Mahjong Solitaire stacks 144 tiles in layered layouts (often a pyramid). Your goal is to remove all tiles by matching two identical free tiles. “Free” means nothing sits on top and at least one of the long sides is open. For background on the classic family, see Mahjong (4-player) and Mahjong solitaire.

Mahjong versions: 4-player vs Solitaire

There are two main experiences called “Mahjong”:

• Traditional 4-player Mahjong: a draw-and-discard set-building game played with 136–144 tiles.
• Mahjong Solitaire (this guide): a single-player matching puzzle where you remove pairs from layered layouts. This is the version you play online.

Board & tile setup

A standard Mahjong Solitaire layout uses 144 tiles from these families:

• 36 Characters, 36 Bamboos, 36 Dots (Circles)
• 16 Winds (East, South, West, North)
• 12 Dragons (Red, Green, White)
• + 4 Flowers and 4 Seasons (often included)

Each regular picture appears four times. Tiles are stacked into layers; the classic “turtle” or “pyramid” shape is common.

Mahjong Solitaire rules (free tiles)

• You may remove tiles only in identical pairs (e.g., two Red Dragons).
• A tile is free if no tile sits on top and it has no neighbor touching at least one long side.
• Blocked tiles (covered or pinched on both long sides) cannot be selected.

As you clear tiles, locked pieces become free. If two matching tiles sit stacked, the lower one is invisible until the upper is removed.

Special sets: Flowers & Seasons

These tiles are not duplicates of each other but belong to the same set. You can match any Flower with any Flower, and any Season with any Season (e.g., Spring pairs with Autumn).

Tools: Mix, Hint, Undo

• Mix (Shuffle): rearranges all remaining tiles to open new pairs when the board stalls.
• Hint: highlights an available pair. Useful, but it’s often just the first legal pair, not necessarily the best strategic move.
• Undo: step back one or more moves. Great for planning—peek at what’s under tiles, then undo if the reveal isn’t helpful.

Step-by-step: how to play Mahjong online

1. Survey the board. Identify several free pairs before moving.
2. Prioritize freedoms. Remove pairs that unlock the most tiles (long rows, tall stacks, center “bridges”).
3. Respect layers. Flatten high piles early so fewer tiles are blocked from above.
4. Use Undo to scout. Test a pair, see the reveal, then undo if it traps you.
5. Shuffle when stuck. Use Mix to refresh possibilities and continue clearing.
6. Clear the last layer. Finish by removing the remaining free pairs to win.

Mahjong tips & strategies

Look ahead

Plan two or three moves in advance. At the start, the top tile of a pyramid may block four tiles—removing it early often unlocks more options.

Handle triples wisely

If you see three identical free tiles, pair the two whose removal frees the most new tiles. Leave the least impactful third for later.

Flatten the board

Stacks hide potential pairs. Aim to reduce tall piles and open long horizontal runs; they’re harder to free late.

Prefer flexibility over speed

Removing a flashy pair that opens nothing can lead to dead ends. Choose pairs that create multiple new frees.

Save helpers

Hints and shuffles are best when no plan remains. Undo is your friend for safe exploration.

FAQ

How many tiles are in Mahjong Solitaire?

Most layouts use 144 tiles; some variants use fewer or more.

What counts as a “free” tile?

No tile above it and at least one long side open.

What about Flowers and Seasons?

Any Flower matches any Flower; any Season matches any Season—exact pictures aren’t required.

Is every board solvable?

Good hosts ensure at least one solution. A shuffle may be needed when you reach a blocked state.

What’s the difference between Mahjong, Mahjong Solitaire, and Mahjong Connect?

Mahjong is the 4-player set-building game. Mahjong Solitaire is solo pair-removal. Mahjong Connect matches tiles with 1–3 connecting lines on a grid.

Similar games

Mahjong: Classic matching boards & layouts.

Mahjong Connect: Link pairs with lines under a timer.

Vita Mahjong: Large-tile, senior-friendly solitaire.

Shenzhen Mahjong: Slide-and-match animal tiles.

Explore the full library: Mahjong games.

Conclusion

Mahjong Solitaire rewards clear planning: free the most tiles first, manage triples smartly, and flatten stacks early. Use Undo to scout, Shuffle when stuck, and enjoy the satisfying rhythm of a clean board. Ready to practice? Open a layout from our Mahjong games collection and start matching.