A tile is free when nothing rests on top of it and its left or right edge is open. Remove all the tiles in matching pairs to clear the board.
How to play Mahjong Solitaire online
Mahjong Solitaire is the classic tile-matching puzzle: clear the whole layout by removing matching pairs of free tiles. It's a calm, one-player game of pattern-spotting and planning — no dice, no opponent, just you and the stack. This free browser version offers three layouts from Easy to Hard, with no downloads or signup.
Mahjong Solitaire rules
Match pairs. Remove tiles two at a time by picking two identical tiles — same suit and number, or a matching pair from the flower and season groups.
Only free tiles. A tile is “free” when nothing is stacked on top of it and at least one side — left or right — is open. Blocked tiles can't be played until you clear what traps them.
Clear the board. Keep matching free pairs until every tile is gone. That's the win.
Stuck? If no free matches remain, the layout is jammed — start over or try a shuffle if available.
Mahjong Solitaire tips & strategy
Free the stacks first. Prioritize matches that unlock tall piles and long rows — they open the most new moves.
Look before you match. When four of a kind are showing, choose the pair that frees the most blocked tiles.
Don't strip one side. Clearing tiles evenly keeps more tiles “free” on both edges.
Plan around key tiles. The tiles bridging two halves of the layout are precious — don't waste their matches early.
Think a few moves ahead. Every removal changes what's free next; the win is in the sequencing, not the speed.
Frequently asked
How do I play Mahjong Solitaire? Click two identical free tiles to remove them. A tile is free if it has no tile on top and an open left or right edge. Clear every tile to win.
Is this the same as four-player Mahjong? No — this is Mahjong Solitaire, the single-player tile-matching puzzle (sometimes called Shanghai or Taipei). It uses the same beautiful tiles but is played solo.
Why can't I match two tiles? One of them is blocked — a tile must be clear on top and open on the left or right to be playable. Free the tile trapping it first.
Is it free? Yes — no signup, no downloads, no installs.