The tiles
The set has 144 tiles. There are three suits (dots, bamboo and characters) with four copies of each number from one to nine, four copies of each of the four winds and three dragons, plus four flower tiles and four season tiles. All the tiles are stacked in a layered shape.
Which tiles you can pick
A tile can be picked only when it is free. A tile is free when nothing lies on top of it and either its left side or its right side is open, so it could slide out sideways. Tiles that are not free look slightly darker.
How a turn works
- Tap one free tile. It lifts.
- Tap a second free tile with exactly the same picture. Both tiles are removed.
- Any flower matches any other flower, and any season matches any other season. A flower does not match a season.
How to win
You win by removing all 144 tiles. You are stuck when no two free tiles match. Every deal on boardflix is made so it can be cleared, so if you are stuck there is a different order that works.
Hint, undo and shuffle
- Hint shows you a pair that can be removed.
- Undo takes back your last move so you can try another order.
- Shuffle rearranges the remaining tiles in a way that keeps the board solvable.
Strategy to clear the board
Before every move, scan the whole board for pairs that are both free, and ask which pair frees the most tiles underneath. Tall stacks and the ends of long rows hide the most tiles, so work on them first.
Watch the last copies of each tile. If two matching tiles are both buried, one under the other, you may never be able to reach them. Count how many copies of a tile are left before you remove a pair, and when there are four copies, choose the pair that frees the others.
Do not rush for easy pairs on the edges. Pairs that uncover several tiles at once are better, and you should keep at least one free matching pair available whenever you can.
Common mistakes
- Removing the pairs on top of a stack last.
- Matching two copies when a third and fourth are buried under them.
- Forgetting that flowers and seasons match only their own kind.
- Not using Undo when you can see a mistake.
Playing mahjong solitaire on boardflix
It is a one-player game with no clock and no account needed. Take your time, use Hint when you are unsure and Undo when you change your mind.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I select a tile?
A tile can only be picked when it is free: nothing on top of it and its left or right side open. Blocked tiles look slightly darker.
Do flowers and seasons match each other?
No. Any flower matches any other flower, and any season matches any other season, but a flower does not match a season.
Is every game winnable?
Yes. Every deal is made so a solution exists, though you can still get stuck by removing tiles in a bad order.
Is this the same as the four-player game?
No. The tiles are the same, but this is a one-player matching puzzle with different rules.
