Start at the top and with long rows
Tiles on the upper layers and in the middle of long rows block the most other tiles. Clear those first and the board opens up by itself.
Mahjong rules: how it works
Mahjong solitaire is simpler than the board suggests: you keep finding two matching tiles and remove them from the board. The skill is in the order. Below are the rules in plain language — you'll be playing in five minutes.
What is mahjong solitaire?
The board consists of tiles that partly overlap and sit side by side, in several layers. Every tile shows a picture — on our site large, clear numbers and symbols — and each picture appears on multiple tiles. Unlike the Chinese table game mahjong, you play solitaire on your own, with no opponents and no rush.
The goal: clear the board
You remove one pair at a time: two tiles with the same picture. Tap the first, then the second — and they disappear. Once you have found every pair, the board is empty and you have won. There is no clock and no score: looking calmly works better than tapping quickly.
The key rule: free tiles
You may only remove tiles that are free. A tile is free when no tile lies on top of it and there is open space on its left or right (or both). Tiles that are locked look dimmed on our board — so you can see at a glance what is possible. Removing pairs keeps freeing up new tiles.
Three tips for a smart order
Look before you tap
Are three matching tiles free? Pick the pair that frees up the most new tiles. The third one will get its turn later.
Save the easy pairs
Two free tiles that block nothing will not run away. Keep them in reserve for the moment you cannot spot another move.
Stuck? That is part of the game
Sometimes no pair is free any more. That is not your mistake — it is part of the game. Use the hint button to see a possible pair, or the shuffle button to rearrange the remaining tiles. You may use both as often as you like; there is no penalty.
Frequently asked questions about the mahjong rules
Is this the same as the Chinese game mahjong?
No. Chinese mahjong is a table game for four players with tiles and scoring. Mahjong solitaire uses the same kind of tiles, but you play alone and match pairs. Our site is about the solitaire variant.
How do I see which tiles are free?
Locked tiles are shown dimmed; free tiles are bright and clickable. You never have to work out yourself which tile is allowed — the board shows it.
Can every board be completed?
Our boards are laid out so that a solvable order always exists. If you happen to pick an unlucky order, you can get stuck — the shuffle button gets you going again.
What does it cost?
Nothing. Mahjong is free on our site, without an account and without hidden costs — like every puzzle on BreinPlezier.
Ready to play?
Prefer extra calm and large tiles? Read what makes mahjong for seniors so pleasant on our site.