Experience the Classic Tile-Matching Puzzle
Welcome to Mahjong Solitaire, the timeless puzzle game that combines strategy, skill, and a little bit of luck. Also known as Shanghai Mahjong, this single-player classic challenges you to clear a board of intricately stacked tiles. It's more than just a game—it's a relaxing mental workout that sharpens your focus and strategic thinking.
- Sharpen Your Mind: Boost your pattern recognition and decision-making skills with every match.
- Endless Replayability: With a random shuffle every game, no two boards are ever the same.
- Completely Free: Play as much as you want, whenever you want, with no downloads or fees.
How to Play Mahjong Solitaire: A Step-by-Step Guide
The rules are simple to learn but offer deep strategic possibilities. Follow these steps to begin your journey:
- The Goal: Your objective is to clear the entire board by matching pairs of identical tiles.
- Find "Free" Tiles: You can only select a tile if it is "free." A tile is free if its left or right side is open, and there are no other tiles on top of it.
- Make a Match: Click on a free tile to highlight it. Then, find and click on its identical partner that is also free. The pair will vanish from the board.
- Plan Your Moves: The key to winning is thinking ahead. Try to make matches that will unblock the largest number of new tiles. Avoid making easy matches that might leave you with no moves later on.
- Use Your Tools: If you get stuck, use the Hint button to reveal a possible match, or press Shuffle to rearrange the remaining tiles on the board (this may come with a score penalty!).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Mahjong Solitaire a game of luck or skill?
Mahjong Solitaire is a fascinating blend of both. The initial arrangement of tiles is determined by luck. However, successfully clearing the board depends heavily on skill and strategy. A good player analyzes the board, prioritizes moves that open up more tiles, and plans several steps ahead to avoid getting trapped.
What is the best strategy for Mahjong Solitaire?
While there's no single "best" strategy, successful players often follow these principles:
- Focus on high stacks and long rows first. Clearing these areas is crucial for unlocking more tiles.
- Always try to make a match that frees up new tiles. If you have a choice between two identical pairs, pick the one that gives you more options on your next turn.
- Be careful of "triples" and "quads." If you see three identical free tiles, think carefully about which two you match. The third tile might be needed to unblock a different part of the board. The same applies when all four are visible.
Why is it called Shanghai Mahjong?
The game was first created in 1981 by Brodie Lockard. However, it skyrocketed in popularity when Activision released a version called Shanghai in 1986 for various home computers. The name became so iconic that "Shanghai" is now used interchangeably with "Mahjong Solitaire."