Mahjong Solitaire · Strategy

Mahjong Solitaire Strategy: 8 Tips to Clear More Boards

Give two people the same mahjong solitaire board, and one clears it all while the other gets stuck halfway. The difference usually isn't luck. It's "which pair do I take first?" These 8 tips are what we picked up playing game after game of free mahjong solitaire. We'll start with the basics.

Still fuzzy on the rules? Read how to play mahjong solitaire first, then come back.

1. Take the top tiles first

The higher a tile sits, the more tiles it covers. The single tile at the very top of the Turtle covers four at once, and every tile on the second layer covers tiles below it. Clear the top layers, and the bottom tiles free up one by one.

2. Work long rows from both ends

In a row on the same layer, only the two end tiles are reachable. In a row of 12, the middle ones have to wait until everything beside them is gone. So if you see a match at the end of a long row, it's usually worth taking, to shorten that row sooner.

3. All four showing? Take them together

Every tile has 4 copies. If all 4 happen to be free, take both pairs. You can't go wrong. It's the one move you could make with your eyes closed, so grab it when you see it.

4. Three free? Take the two that cover more

Here's the spot that trips people up most: 3 tiles of the same kind are free, but you can only take 2. The third has to wait for the fourth to show up.

So ask yourself: which two, once gone, free up the most tiles? Usually it's the ones stacked higher, or stuck at the end of a long row. The one you leave behind should ideally be one that isn't covering anything.

5. Watch out for "stacked on its twin"

If a tile sits right on top of an identical tile, and the other two copies are buried deep, those two can turn into a deadlock. The top one needs another partner, and the bottom one has to wait for the top one to go. When you spot this, dig out the other two first.

6. Save flowers and seasons for when you need them

Flowers and seasons are easier to match (any two in a group will do), so they're like a "wild pair." If there's another pair you can take, take that one. Keep the flowers for when you're stuck. They save a lot of games.

7. Stuck? Undo first, shuffle second

When nothing matches, ask whether you picked the wrong pairs a few moves back. Undo a step or two, take a different pair, and things often open up. If that really doesn't work, shuffle. Our shuffle always leaves a solvable board, but it does get noted in your result.

8. Train your eye with the daily puzzle

The daily mahjong solitaire puzzle is one board a day, the same for everyone in the world. Play one every day and you'll spot tiles faster and faster. Then share your result with friends and see who clears it quickest.

A quick numbers check: how many tiles are free at the start?

There aren't many free tiles at the start, which is why the first few moves matter so much:

The shape and feel of each one are covered in mahjong solitaire layouts. Get these moves down, then go play mahjong solitaire online and see if you can clear a board without a single hint.

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LayoutsFour boards, their shapes, sizes and difficulty. Pick the one that fits you.How to PlayOne rule, a few tips. Learn mahjong solitaire in five minutes.