How to play Mahjong Solitaire

What is Mahjong Solitaire?

Mahjong Solitaire – also known as ‘MahJongg Solitaire’ and ‘Shanghai Solitaire’ – is a solo pairing game traditionally played with tiles.

The game is believed to have been created in the 1980s and takes its name from the classic Chinese game ‘Mahjong’, from which it also borrows its tiles. However, the two games are very different, with the original ‘Mahjong’ being a multiplayer strategy game.

Mahjong Solitaire follows a traditional pairing format, in which two identical tiles are paired together and removed from the playing area. The aim of the game is to pair all the tiles until the playing area is empty.

How to set up a game of Mahjong Solitaire

One of the exciting elements of Mahjong Solitaire is that the game layout can be customized by players to keep it fresh and make each game more or less difficult.

Players can set up their own starting layout using the standard 144 Mahjong Solitaire tiles, which are shown below:

The only requirements for a Mahjong Solitaire layout are that the tiles are laid randomly, and the shape features four total layers of tiles in a pyramid design – meaning each progressive layer has fewer tiles than the layer below. The exact shape of the layout can be decided by the player.

There are multiple ways to set up a game of Mahjong Solitaire and customization is common for more experienced players. However, the most common Mahjong layouts include the traditional ‘spider’ layout, as well as ‘pyramid’ and ‘square’ layouts.

Your final Mahjong Solitaire layout will likely look like one of the following:

Online Mahjong typically features the traditional ‘spider’ layout.

How to play Mahjong Solitaire

The aim of Mahjong Solitaire is to clear the playing area by removing paired tiles. However, there are certain rules about which tiles can be paired.

Firstly, tiles must be identical to form a pair – this means they must feature the same suit and number. For example, the two of winds can only be paired with another two of winds tile. The exceptions to this rule are the ‘seasons’ and ‘flowers’ tiles, which can all be paired freely.

A tile can also only be paired if it is ‘exposed’ in the playing area – this means it does not have another tile directly to either its right or left or layered above. Tiles that have one side ‘free’ can be paired with any other ‘exposed’ tiles in the playing area. Paired tiles are placed to the side of the playing area.

Players continue to pair exposed tiles until they clear the playing area – in which case the game is won – or they run out of legal moves. If a player runs out of moves before the playing area is cleared, they are allowed to ‘shuffle’ the tiles.

When tiles are shuffled, the current playing layout is taken apart, the tiles are mixed up, and a new playing area is created. This does not have to be the same shape as before. However, players should typically keep the same number of ‘levels’ as in their pre-shuffle layout, even if the new shape is different.

Players then continue pairing identical tiles in the new layout until they clear the playing area.

Rules of Mahjong Solitaire

While Mahjong Solitaire is simple in its pairing format, certain rules make the game unique and challenging:

• The starting layout must contain four levels – this makes the game more challenging by both trapping and hiding tiles, so players can only plan a certain number of moves ahead.

• Only ‘exposed’ tiles can be paired – this means they do not have a tile directly to either the left or right or layered above.

• Tiles must be identical to be paired – this means they must have the same number and suit. The exceptions to the rule are ‘seasons’ and ‘flowers’ tiles, which can all be paired freely.

• Players are traditionally allowed five shuffles per game – however, some variations of the game may allow players unlimited shuffles.

How to win at Mahjong Solitaire

A game of Mahjong Solitaire is won when the playing area is cleared by matching and removing all 144 tiles.

However, the key to the game is not to simply match all obvious pairs immediately – it is based on strategy, and it can sometimes be beneficial to save pairs.

Below are some top tips on how to win at Mahjong Solitaire:

• Work from the top down – this means starting by matching pairs on higher levels of the layout, as these expose the tiles that are hidden beneath. Making more tiles visible allows players to plan moves in advance.

• Plan multiple moves ahead – it may be tempting to pair the obvious tiles but thinking a few moves ahead may help you avoid trapping valuable tiles by removing possible pairs.

• Save pairs that don’t unlock further moves – if you have exposed pairs that don’t lead to any subsequent moves, save them for later in the game when they may lead to more valuable passages of play.

• Stay patient and scan exposed tiles – some variations of the game penalize players for shuffling, so don’t immediately rely on this strategy when you think you’re out of moves. Take time to scan all exposed tiles and remember which are free, otherwise, you risk shuffling when there are legal moves available.
  
  

While there is no way to guarantee a win in every game, one way to improve your skill is to practice. Play Mahjong Solitaire free now on Solitaired.com.

Scoring a game of Mahjong Solitaire

While a ‘win’ in Mahjong Solitaire is based on whether the playing area is cleared, many versions of the game also score players. In these versions, players can compete to beat their own previous records or play against others.

Each game may be scored differently – while some formats don’t use scoring systems at all – and some common scoring systems consider:

• The time taken to clear the playing area

• The number of shuffles made in the game

• The value of different tiles

• Bonus points for completing the game within a set time or clearing the area without shuffling the tiles

Alternatives to Mahjong Solitaire

There are many games similar to Mahjong Solitaire in their strategic approach. Games like Mahjong Solitaire include:

• Klondike Solitaire

• Spider Solitaire

• Pyramid Solitaire

• Golf Solitaire

• Minesweeper

• Hearts

• Spades

• Freecell

At Solitaired, we provide over 500 games – including a range of solitaire variations – free to play.

Mahjong Solitaire Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is there a strategy to Mahjong Solitaire?

Despite Mahjong Solitaire’s seemingly simple pairing format, there is a strategy to winning the game. Players can only pair ‘exposed’ tiles, so it pays to plan ahead to make sure each move frees up further pairs. Simply pairing all obvious pairs straight away can lead to players quickly running out of moves.

For more tips on how to win at Mahjong Solitaire, read our detailed guide.

What is the difference between Mahjong and Mahjong Solitaire?

While Mahjong and Mahjong Solitaire use the same set of tiles, the two games are very different.

Mahjong is a multi-player game in which competitors aim to collect a winning hand of tiles – similar to the card game Rummy. Mahjong Solitaire is a solo pairing game in which players attempt to clear a playing area in a classic solitaire format.

Is Mahjong Solitaire good for your brain?

Yes, playing Mahjong Solitaire is good for the brain. This is because the strategy game tests multiple cognitive skills including memory, concentration, and pattern recognition. It can also be beneficial in helping players to relax and unwind by occupying the mind.

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