How to play
Mahjong Solitaire.
A simple goal: clear every tile. A satisfying challenge: choose the pairs that open up the board.
Start a free game →1. Choose your layout
Start with Turtle for a wide board with familiar wings and a layered center. Pyramid groups the tiles in stacked rectangles; Cross has four arms leading toward the center. Each layout uses the same 144-tile set and the same matching rules.
2. Look for bright, free tiles
You can select a tile only if nothing covers it from above and at least one side — left or right — is open on its layer. On this site, selectable tiles are bright cream; blocked tiles are shaded. A tile at the very top can still be blocked on both sides.
3. Select a matching pair
Click or tap a free tile, then another free tile with the same face. Both disappear and may uncover new options. If the second tile does not match, it becomes your new selection. Select the same tile again, or press Escape, to clear the selection.
Dots, bamboo and character tiles must match both suit and number. Winds and dragons match their exact face. Flowers and seasons are the exceptions: any flower matches any other flower, and any season matches any other season.
4. Plan one move ahead
Before choosing between two matching pairs, look at what each move unlocks. Removing a top tile may reveal several possibilities. Clearing an outer tile can open a long row. When three identical tiles are free, consider which two give access to the most useful hidden tiles.
Do not assume the first available pair is the best move. Starting deals have a legal solution, but different choices can lead to a dead end. Undo is part of learning the board.
5. Use the controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Hint / H | Highlights a legal matching pair in gold. Click both to remove them. |
| Undo / U | Restores the most recent pair. Repeat to go further back, until the latest shuffle or new game. |
| Shuffle | Rearranges the remaining faces into a solvable position and clears Undo history. |
| New game | Replaces the current board with a fresh 144-tile deal. |
| Layout | Starts a new game in Turtle, Pyramid, or Cross. |
| Enlarge | Makes tiles bigger. Swipe or scroll inside the board; choose Fit board to return. |
Playing with a keyboard or on a phone
Use Tab to move through the controls and free tiles, then Enter or Space to select. Press H for a hint, U for Undo, and Escape to clear a selection. On a phone, tiles start enlarged for easier taps. Swipe inside the board to reach the edges, choose Fit board for an overview, or turn your phone sideways for more room.
Finish at your own pace
Clear all 144 tiles to win. The timer records your play without imposing a limit. If the free-pair count reaches zero, choose Undo or Shuffle. You can start again whenever you like.