Mahjong Solitaire — Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions players ask most. For the full rules, see the how-to-play guide; for tips on winning, see the strategy guide.
Is Mahjong Solitaire really free?
Yes — completely free, with no download, no installation, and no account required. The game is supported by unobtrusive advertising, which is what keeps it free to play.
Does it work on my phone or tablet?
Yes. The game runs in any modern browser and adapts to your screen, so you can play on desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone without installing anything.
Is every board guaranteed to be winnable?
Every board is generated with a reverse-removal method that builds the layout from a known winning sequence, so a solution always exists. You can still get stuck through play order — but the board itself is always solvable, and Undo or Shuffle can rescue it.
What does it mean for a tile to be 'free'?
A tile is free — and therefore selectable — when no tile is stacked on top of it and at least one of its left or right long edges is open. A tile boxed in by neighbours on both sides is blocked, even if nothing sits on top of it.
How do the flower and season tiles work?
They are the one exception to the matching rule. Any flower tile matches any other flower tile, and any season tile matches any other season tile — they do not have to be identical. Every other tile must match exactly.
What should I do when I run out of moves?
First try Undo to step back and replay a better order. If you are genuinely out of moves, use Shuffle to rearrange the remaining tiles so play can continue, or Hint to highlight an available pair you may have missed.
How many tiles are in a game?
144 tiles: 108 numbered suit tiles (circles, bamboo, and characters), 16 wind tiles, 12 dragon tiles, and 8 bonus flower and season tiles. See the tile guide for a full breakdown.
Is Mahjong Solitaire the same as four-player mahjong?
No. They share the same tiles but are different games. Four-player mahjong is a competitive draw-and-discard game of building hands. Solitaire is a single-player puzzle where you simply clear the board by matching pairs.