Mahjong Solitaire

Mahjong solitaire, also known as Shanghai: match pairs of free tiles in a layered stack of 144 mahjong tiles until the board is clear. You only match pictures; no knowledge of mahjong is needed.

How to use

1. Under "Layout", choose "Turtle (traditional)", "Pyramid", "Fortress", "Cross" or "Bridge", and press "New game".
2. Pick two tiles that have nothing on top and a free left or right side. If they match, both are removed.
3. When you are stuck, press "Hint" to see a pair you can pick, or "Shuffle" to mix the remaining tiles. Press "Undo" to take back a pair.
4. On a large board, zoom in with the + button or press "Fit to screen". Clear all 144 tiles to win.

How it works

• Every new board is built backwards from the finished state, so it can always be cleared, although a poor order of moves can still leave you stuck.
• Tiles match when they show the same picture. The four flowers match each other, and so do the four seasons.
• Turn on "Dim tiles that cannot be picked yet" and "Show small numbers on the tiles" to make tiles easier to read. The game in progress and the best time for each layout are saved in this browser.

Questions and answers

Which tiles can be picked in mahjong solitaire?

Only tiles with no tile on top and with at least one free side, left or right. The page shows "Pairs left" and "Moves available".

How do I avoid getting stuck?

Clear tiles from tall stacks and from the ends of long rows first, so the tiles underneath become free sooner. If all four tiles of one kind are free, it does not matter which pair you take.

Is this the same as Shisen-Sho?

No. In Shisen-Sho the tiles lie in one layer and a pair is removed when a line with at most two turns connects them. Here the tiles are stacked, and you match tiles that are free on top and on one side.

Can the board always be solved after a shuffle?

When shuffling, the game looks for an arrangement that can still be cleared. If it cannot find one, the page tells you.