How to play
How to play Mahjong Solitaire
Step-by-step Mahjong Solitaire for a first table, including what the Tilehaus interface expects you to click.
Before the first tile
Open the Mahjong Solitaire table. Choose seat count 1. For a first game, enable bots so empty seats still take their turns.
Open the top first
Clear tiles that unlock whole columns. Do not spend both copies of a scarce honor if one remaining copy is deeply buried.
Count copies
Each face appears four times. If you see three free copies, matching two of them can strand the fourth. Prefer matches that uncover new free tiles.
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to what people search — for Google, voice, and assistants.
Is mahjong solitaire the same as mahjong?
No. Mahjong solitaire is a matching puzzle that reuses mahjong tile faces. Four-player mahjong is a draw-and-discard game where you build pongs, chows, and a pair. Winning at solitaire does not teach you how to hu.
How do you play mahjong solitaire?
Clear the layout by matching two free tiles with the same face. A tile is free when nothing sits on it and at least one side — left or right — can slide out. Tap Hint to pulse one free pair. You win when every pair is gone; you lose when no free matching pair remains.
What makes a tile free in mahjong solitaire?
Two conditions: the tile is not covered, even partly, and at least one of its left or right edges is open. A tile boxed in on both sides is blocked even if the top is clear.
Why is mahjong solitaire also called Shanghai?
Activision’s Shanghai (1986) popularized the computer turtle layout. People still search “Shanghai solitaire” for the same matching game. Tilehaus uses a three-layer temple of the 136-tile suit-and-honor set.
Are mahjong solitaire boards always solvable?
Random stacks often deadlock. Tilehaus only deals solvable temples: pairs are placed in reverse so every table can be cleared if you pick the right order. A wrong early match can still strand a face.
How many tiles are in mahjong solitaire?
Classic computer layouts use 144 tiles (the full set with flowers and seasons). Tilehaus deals 136 suit-and-honor tiles in a three-layer temple — the same faces as the four-player teaching wall, without bonus tiles.
Can you play mahjong solitaire free online?
Yes. Open the Tilehaus Mahjong Solitaire table in a browser. No download, no account. There is also a shared daily Genius Table — the same puzzle for everyone that day.
What is the best strategy for mahjong solitaire?
Count copies: each face appears four times. Matching two of three free copies can bury the fourth. Prefer pairs that unlock a covered column, and clear the top layer before you spend scarce honors.