What is Mahjongg Solitaire?+
Mahjongg Solitaire is a tile-matching puzzle game where you remove pairs of identical exposed tiles from a multi-layered board. It uses traditional Mahjong tile designs but plays as a relaxing single-player logic game instead of a four-player table game.
When is a tile considered exposed and matchable?+
A tile is exposed if nothing rests directly on top of it, and at least one of its left or right long edges is free of another tile. If a tile is covered or sandwiched tightly between two neighbors on both sides, it cannot be selected until its blockers are removed.
Can I match any two identical tiles?+
No. Both tiles must be fully exposed at the time you click them. A tile under another tile or completely blocked on both sides cannot be used even if an identical match exists somewhere else.
Is there a timer in Mahjongg Solitaire?+
Yes. Most Mahjongg Solitaire runs include a countdown timer that adds urgency. You win by clearing the board before time expires. Faster matches and combos earn higher scores, so efficiency matters as much as accuracy.
What happens if I get stuck?+
A shuffle button lets you rearrange the remaining tiles when no exposed pairs remain. This costs time from the timer, so use it only when necessary. Strategic play reduces how often you need to shuffle.
How do I score points?+
You earn points for each matched pair. Bonus points are awarded for faster matches and consecutive pairs of the same type. Clearing the board quickly yields the highest possible score.
Are all boards solvable?+
The classic turtle and fortress layouts are solvable, but a randomly generated board can occasionally trap tiles. If the board truly becomes unsolvable, use the shuffle tool or start a new layout.
Can I play on mobile?+
Yes. The board is touch-optimized with large tap targets. Tiles that are exposed glow slightly to help you see valid moves on a smaller screen. The timer is clearly visible at the top.
How many layers are in a typical board?+
Classic layouts have four to five layers. The bottom layer includes a sealed base, the middle layers form the bulk of playable tiles, and the top layer exposes the easiest initial matches. New tiles become exposed as upper layers clear away.
What do the Mahjong tiles represent?+
Traditional Mahjong tiles include Bamboo, Characters, Circles, Winds, Dragons, and Flowers. Each suit has specific numbered tiles and honor tiles. Matching identical tiles is the core mechanic regardless of the suit.
What is a 'match three' or 'three-tile rule'?+
Some Mahjongg variants require matching three identical tiles at once, but standard Mahjongg Solitaire uses pairs. Two identical exposed tiles are removed in a single click.
Is there an undo button?+
No undo button is provided, so match carefully. A brief matching animation gives you a moment to correct a misclick if you catch it immediately.
Why do some layouts look impossible?+
Some intentionally dense layouts such as the Turtle or Fortress are designed to feel impossible at first glance but are solvable with patience. The exposed edge and corner tiles are your gateway to revealing deeper layers.
How is Mahjongg Solitaire different from Mahjong?+
Traditional Mahjong is a four-player betting game with complex tile drawing and melding rules. Mahjongg Solitaire is a single-player matching game with no betting, no discards, and no hands. They share the same tile aesthetic but play nothing alike.
Can I change the background or tiles?+
The current version uses the classic bone-and-bamboo Mahjong tiles on a neutral background. Future updates may add alternate tile sets, but the core matching mechanics remain the same regardless of visual theme.
