Mahjong Solitaire Rules: How to Play and Match Tiles

Updated: Oct 18, 2026 · 🎮 Single player

Mahjong Solitaire is a single-player puzzle in which you clear 144 layered mahjong tiles from the board by matching them in pairs. Only free tiles can be matched, and the aim is to clear every tile without running out of moves. Unlike classic four-player mahjong there are no opponents: just you and the board.

▶ Play Mahjong Solitaire nowFree, no download, no sign-up.

The tiles

There are 144 tiles, most of them in sets of four identical copies:

Zipi draws the tiles in the browser, so numbers and symbols stay sharp even on small screens.

The free-tile rule

You can only select a tile that is free. A tile is free when:

• No tile lies on top of it, even partly, and
• at least its left or right side is open, with no tile directly beside it on that side.

Tiles above or below it on the same layer do not block it; only the left and right sides matter. In Zipi blocked tiles look slightly darker, so free ones are easy to spot.

Which tiles match?

• Dots, bamboo, characters, winds and dragons match only an identical tile: a 5 of dots with another 5 of dots, North wind with North wind.
• The four flower tiles look different but any flower matches any other flower.
• The four season tiles likewise match any season.
• A flower does not match a season.

Select two free matching tiles and the pair glows and leaves the board. Clear every tile to finish the level.

Layouts and levels

Zipi has 11 layouts: Starter, Gate, Dragon, Pyramid, Fortress, Star, Tower, Arena, Bridge, Crown and the legendary Turtle. After each cleared board a short celebration plays and the next level starts automatically. Layouts get busier, the stacks rise, and from level 5 a timer runs. After the eleventh layout, the harder layouts from Fortress to Turtle repeat in rotation, each time with a fresh deal.

Every deal is solvable: tiles are dealt by reverse placement, removing pairs from an empty board backwards, so each board has at least one solution. Playing in the wrong order can still leave you stuck.

Scoring and combos

Match a pair within 4.5 seconds of the previous one and your combo grows; take longer and it resets. A season pair on a x4 combo, for example, is worth 120 points.

Shuffles, hints and undo

• Shuffle: re-deals the remaining tiles so they are solvable again. You start with 3 shuffles.
• Hint: highlights a pair you can match. You start with 3 hints.
• Undo: takes back the last match and resets your combo.

Your stock of shuffles and hints carries over between levels, and when it runs out you can watch an ad for 3 more. If time runs out, or you get stuck and give up, the game ends; you can watch an ad to continue on the same board (extra time or a free shuffle) or start again.

Common mistakes

• Grabbing the first pair you see: when three copies of a tile are free, which two you take decides what gets uncovered.
• Ignoring tall stacks: high piles in the middle lock many tiles underneath.
• Not working long rows from the ends: end tiles are the only way to free the tiles inside a row.
• Rushing for combos: a wrong pair under time pressure can lock the board.

Mahjong Solitaire strategy tips

1. Remove blocking tiles first: prioritise tiles on top that cover many others.
2. Think in fours: if all four copies are free, you can safely take both pairs.
3. Work long rows from the ends: each end tile frees its neighbour.
4. Keep flowers and seasons flexible: since they match any of their group, they rescue tight spots.
5. Set up combos: find several free pairs first, then match them quickly in a row.
6. Save hints: your stock is limited and carries into later levels.

Play Mahjong Solitaire on Zipi

Mahjong is free in your browser on Zipi with no download. On a phone in portrait mode the layout is rotated to fit, and you can zoom with two fingers or a button. Solve the untimed daily puzzle, the same for everyone each day, to grow your streak, and unlock Cobalt, Crimson, Obsidian, Gold and Neon tile styles as you level up. Mahjong Solitaire is single-player, so there is no online opponent.

FAQ