How to play Mahjong Solitaire: tips for clearing the stack
Last updated October 1, 2026
Mahjong Solitaire is a game of looking and matching. There is no clock to beat, no penalty and nothing to type, and every puzzle can be finished. Here is how it works and how to clear the stack.
How a puzzle works
You see a stack of tiles, each with a picture. Take away two tiles that show the same picture: tap one, then tap the other. A tile can only be taken when it is free. A free tile has nothing lying on top of it, and its left side or its right side is open. Free tiles have a solid edge; blocked tiles have a dashed edge. When every tile is gone, the puzzle is done.
Tip 1: free the tall stacks first
Tiles on the lower layers are held down by the tiles above them. Take away the tiles on top first, so the ones underneath come free, and you will always have more pairs to choose from.
Tip 2: look at the ends of the rows
A tile at the end of a row is free because its outer side is open. Taking it away opens up the next tile in the row. Work in from the ends instead of picking pairs from the middle.
Tip 3: when there are four of a picture, choose carefully
Most pictures appear four times, so you can pair them in two different ways. If one tile of a picture is buried deep, pair the free ones in a way that does not leave it with no partner. If it goes wrong, Undo takes back as many moves as you like.
When you are stuck
Press Hint to see two tiles that match, are free, and keep the puzzle finishable. If no pair can be taken, press Undo, or Shuffle to mix up the tiles that are left; the new arrangement can always be finished. Hints only change the stars you earn, and you can use as many as you like.
See the large print Mahjong Solitaire puzzles.
More guides
Keep going with how to solve Sudoku, how to solve crossword puzzles, word search tips, how to play Word Scramble, how to play Word Fill-In, how to play Honeycomb Words, and how to play Word Groups. Or browse all the puzzle guides.
Frequently asked questions
- Why can I not choose a tile?
- It is blocked: either another tile lies on top of it, or tiles stand on both its left and its right. A blocked tile has a dashed edge. Take away the tiles in the way and it becomes free.
- What if there are no matching pairs left?
- Press Undo to take back your last moves, or Shuffle to mix up the tiles that are left. A shuffled arrangement can always be finished.
- Does Shuffle or Undo count against me?
- No. Undo and Shuffle are free. Only hints change the stars you earn.
- Does a hint spoil the puzzle?
- A hint shows one pair that matches and is free, and that keeps the puzzle finishable. Hints are unlimited and only change the stars you earn.
- Can every puzzle be finished?
- Yes. Every puzzle is made by playing a whole game first, so there is always a way to clear every tile.
Try it now
Try today’s Easy Mahjong Solitaire: a small stack of big tiles to match in pairs. It is free every day, with no account and no ads.