How to Play Mahjong Solitaire: Rules and Examples

Which tiles are free?

A tile is free when no higher tile overlaps it and either its left or right side is open. One open side is enough. Tiles above or below it in the same flat layer do not block it.

A darker tile is currently blocked. Removing a neighbouring or covering tile may make it available.

1: circles — The end tiles are available. The middle tile is still blocked.

2: circles — The end tiles are available. The middle tile is still blocked.

Even a small overlap counts

If a higher tile covers any part of a lower tile, the lower one cannot be removed yet. An open side does not cancel that overlap. Work through the covering layer to reach it.

9: circles — Even a partly covered tile is blocked until the covering tile is removed.

7: bamboos — Even a partly covered tile is blocked until the covering tile is removed.

What makes a pair?

Circles, bamboo and characters match the same suit and number. Winds and dragons match the same symbol.

Any two flowers match, even with different pictures. Any two seasons also match. A flower and a season do not form a pair. The tile guide shows every design.

Hints, undo and a blocked board

Hints are free. After 10 seconds without an action, the game highlights an available pair. The move is valid, though another pair may open more of the board.

Undo brings back the last pair. You can undo as many times as needed. If there are no pairs left to play, undo a move, restart the same layout, or choose another day in the calendar.

Every daily layout has a solution at the start. Choosing a different removal order can lead to a dead end. When all remaining tiles are free, the game removes their pairs automatically. Undo pauses this automatic finish until your next manual match.

Points and stars

Each removed pair earns 100 points. Undo removes those 100 points and applies an additional 25-point penalty, with a minimum score of zero. Time does not affect your score.

No undos: three stars.
One to five undos: two stars.
Six or more undos: one star.

Controls and saving

Click or tap two matching free tiles. On a keyboard, use the arrow keys to move between free tiles and Enter or Space to select one.

On a phone, tap matching tiles. The board fits the window automatically. Use Full screen if your browser supports it, then the same button or Esc to exit. Your progress is saved in this browser; clearing its site data removes the save.