A tile is free only when no tile covers it and at least its left or right side is open. Both selected tiles must be free. Most pairs need identical faces; Flowers may pair with Flowers and Seasons with Seasons even when their pictures differ.
Relaxed matching puzzle
Mahjong Solitaire
Uncover the stack, pair matching free tiles, and clear the table at your own pace.
- Time
- 00:00
- Moves
- 0
- Tiles
- 62
Free tileBlocked tile2 open matches
How to play
Find free tiles. A tile is playable when nothing rests on it and either its left or right side is open.
Match the faces. Most tiles match exactly. Any Flower matches another Flower; any Season matches another Season.
Choose your challenge. Phones keep the compact layouts by default. Expert mode uses the complete 144-tile, four-level Classic Turtle. Both modes are generated with a full solution; rescue Shuffle unlocks only if you get stuck.
Help us improve
Something did not feel right?
Report a blocked move, possible dead end, rule question, or display problem. No account is required.
Free-tile matching and solvable layouts
How Mahjong Solitaire tiles become playable
Match two free tiles with the same face and clear the layered layout. Flowers match any Flower and Seasons match any Season. MirthTable deals are generated with a solution path and include a stuck-only rescue shuffle.
Core rules used here
Free tile
Nothing may sit above the tile, and at least one horizontal side must be unblocked.
Matching
Match identical faces, with the standard Flower-group and Season-group exceptions.
Rescue shuffle
It appears only when no legal pair remains and rearranges the remaining faces into a new solvable path.
Why two identical tiles may not match
- One tile is coveredEven a small overlap from a higher layer means the lower tile is not free.
- Both sides are blockedA tile needs an open left or right edge in addition to a clear top.
- The pair order created a dead endA solvable opening does not make every sequence of legal matches solvable.
Useful strategy
- Compare duplicate choicesWhen three or four matching faces are free, remove the pair that releases the most covered tiles.
- Open high layers and long edgesPairs that remove a top tile or free several side tiles usually create more future matches.
- Use rescue only when truly stuckThe rescue shuffle changes the remaining route, so save it until the board has no legal pair.
Mahjong Solitaire questions players ask
What makes a Mahjong Solitaire tile free?
Its top must be uncovered and either its left or right side must be open.
Do Flowers need identical pictures?
No. Any Flower matches another Flower, and any Season matches another Season.
Can a solver-verified deal still get stuck?
Yes. The opening has at least one solution path, but choosing another legal pair order can close that path.
When is rescue shuffle available?
Only after the game confirms that no legal free-tile pair remains.
Play together
Invite a friend to the table
Share a personal link—no account required. When a friend starts playing, the visit is credited to your anonymous invite code.
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