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Mahjong Solitaire: Free Tile Matching

Mahjong solitaire is a calm tile-matching game: take away matching pairs of free tiles until the board is empty. Our version is free, needs no download or sign-up, and uses large, clear picture tiles with the name printed on each, so there are no Chinese characters to learn. Start with the small board of 36 tiles; every board can be cleared, and Hint and Shuffle are always there if you get stuck.

Play mahjong solitaire

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How to play mahjong solitaire

  1. Find two tiles with the same picture and tap them both to take them away.
  2. You can only take a tile that is free: nothing on top of it, and nothing touching its left side or its right side. Blocked tiles look paler.
  3. Clear every tile to win. Take tiles from the top and the ends of long rows first, so you don’t bury a match.
  4. Hint shows a matching pair. If no free pairs are left, Shuffle mixes the tiles that are left so the board can still be cleared. Undo puts the last pair back.
  5. Keyboard: Tab or the arrow keys move between free tiles, Enter selects a tile.

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    How to play

    1. Find two tiles with the same picture and tap them both to take them away.
    2. You can only take a tile that is free: nothing on top of it, and nothing touching its left side or its right side. Blocked tiles look paler.
    3. Clear every tile to win. Take tiles from the top and the ends of long rows first, so you don’t bury a match.
    4. Hint shows a matching pair. If no free pairs are left, Shuffle mixes the tiles that are left so the board can still be cleared. Undo puts the last pair back.
    5. Keyboard: Tab or the arrow keys move between free tiles, Enter selects a tile.

    Who it’s for: Grown-ups, seniors and older kids. Sound is off unless you turn it on, there is no time limit, and “Pause” stops the clock.

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    Mahjong solitaire tips and strategy

    • Take from the top of the stack and the ends of the longest rows first. Those tiles block the most others.
    • When three of the same picture are free, take the pair that frees more tiles, and leave the third where it blocks nothing.
    • When all four of a picture are free, take both pairs straight away: they can’t be useful later.
    • Look out for two of the same picture stacked one on top of the other: they can’t be matched with each other, so clear the other two first.
    • Stuck? Shuffle re-deals the tiles that are left so they can still be cleared, and Undo puts back as many pairs as you like.

    Print our memory matching games: picture pairs to cut out and play with family or a group. Large print puzzles for seniors are on the seniors page. For December, play Christmas mahjong with snowman, present and bell tiles.

    Questions

    Can every board be cleared?

    Yes. Each board is built backwards from an empty table, pair by pair, so there is always at least one way to clear it. If you take pairs in a different order you can still get stuck; Shuffle then re-deals the tiles that are left so they can all be matched.

    Is this the same as the four-player game of mahjong?

    No. Mahjong (or mah-jongg) is a game for four players with sets and scoring. Mahjong solitaire only borrows the idea of a stack of tiles: you play alone and match pairs. Our tiles show simple pictures (apples, cats, kites and so on) instead of the traditional suits.

    Which board should I start with?

    Small (36 tiles) takes about five minutes and has the biggest tiles, so it is the best start on a phone and for seniors. Medium has 72 tiles and Large 144, best on a computer or tablet.

    Is it good for people with memory loss?

    Many carers use calm matching games as a shared activity. Each tile has a clear picture and its name, there is no time limit, and Hint is always available. It is a pastime, not a medical treatment.

    Is it free? Do I need to sign up or download anything?

    It is free and plays in your web browser on a computer, tablet or phone. There is nothing to download and no account. Your stats are kept in this browser only. A few adverts on the page, kept well away from the game, pay for the site.

    Does it work on a tablet or phone?

    Yes. Tap or drag with a finger on a tablet or phone, or use a mouse. It also plays with the keyboard alone (see “How to play”). Turn a phone sideways for more room.

    If you like Mahjong solitaire, try

    More: Brain games for seniors: a guide for families and carers · All our free games for seniors

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