Mahjong solitaire is a game that is also referred to as Mahjongg solitaire, which is simply a slight difference in the spelling of its name.. The other names for this game are single player Mahjong, shanghai solitaire and one-player Mahjong. This is one of the many types of solitaire games which is played by a single player with a set of 144 Mahjong tiles.
These 144 tiles are first arranged in special layouts. The tiles are positioned to face upward. The tile are said to be exposed, when it is possible for you while playing the game to move a tile to its left or right, without disturbing the other tiles. It is possible to move tiles that have at least the left or right side free and have no tiles placed on its top.
Click to remove tiles
It is identical pairs of these exposed tiles that have to be removed from the layout. As the pairs are removed, the lower layers of the layout get exposed for you to play. The pairs are removed with a click on the tiles.
The game ends when the layout gets empty, or if there are no more pairs from the exposed tiles. But, it is possible to have a reshuffle done, even if there are no more pairs on the layout, by clicking the reshuffle button. There can be a maximum of 5 reshuffles in a game of Mahjong solitaire.
Improving your memory is an important strategy to win at Mahjong games. This is because as most characters on the tiles look similar, you have to distinguish tile quickly and correctly while scanning over the tiles. If you manage to memorize where you last seen a similar piece, it will be easier for you to find pairs of tiles.
When you have time to kill, try out your luck and expertise at a game of Mahjong solitaire. This is one of the many solitaire games that keep you engrossed and busy for as long as you want at trying to end the game.
The objective of the game is to form 72 pairs from its 144 tiles, to consequently clear the board. Sometimes, it is possible to find all the pairs of tiles. And sometimes the game ends, because there are no more pairs possible. In such a case, you can ask for a reshuffle of the tiles by hitting the reshuffle coin. It is possible to request 5 reshuffles in a single game.
Although you may reshuffle the tiles, sometimes it is unlikely and theoretically impossible to find pairs, even after reshuffling. It’s important that you avoid getting into such positions while eliminating pairs. This can be done by giving your full attention and concentration to the game while playing. If your mind wander even a second, it can cost you considerable time to refocus on the game.
Various versions of Mahjong
While playing Mahjong solitaire and its other versions like Mahjong towers, Mahjong quest and Mahjong escape, it is important that you always react fast. When you react quickly, you tend to make the right decision.
Another Mahjong strategy worth remembering is to imagine your movements a few steps ahead while playing the game. Even though you are presently playing the game, it is important to think ahead to prevent making the wrong moves later, which may result in you not finding a solution when the game is most challenging and intense.
Mahjong Solitiare can be played using genuine tiles and a special wooden frame for set-up. Usually though, it is played in an “>
If you have free time, Mahjong Solitaire is a great game to play to pass the time. What was once played using a pile of actual tiles is now available in the online version. Many sites offer the classic Mahjong game. There are also other versions of the game like Mahjong towers, Mahjong quest, and Mahjong escape.
The main objective of playing Mahjong Solitaire lies in removing all the 144 tiles placed in its towers. It is essential that these tiles are removed in pairs of tiles having the same kind of characteristics and graphics. But, keep in mind, you can’t just pair any two tiles. It is essential that the left or right side of the tile be free and unblocked. It must be free of tiles on its top to get paired. At times different versions of the game may follow different principles.
Characters of the game
Most of the versions of Mahjong solitaire games have four tiles for each type of character. These characters include flowers, animals, seasons, trees, people, and other images. The different images are usually one of a kind. In some cases you can match and remove tiles based on its categories. This means a tree is paired with a tree. And a flower can be paired with another flower.
While it’s possible to randomly pick and match tiles to play the game, the strategy most players follow is to be selective in choosing tiles. It is better to pick tiles that offer open options, that can maintain continuity in the game, then to end up with tiles blocking the game.
Mahjong Solitaire can be played with actual playing tiles. It can also be played online at gaming sites that provide the various types of mahjong games. There are altogether 72 pairs of tiles in a game of Mahjong Solitaire, which are found in standard suits. The suits used in Mahjong Solitaire are Seasons, Dragons, Bamboos, Characters, Flowers, Winds and Circles.
Pairs have to be matched within tiles of the same suit. But the exception to this rule is from the tile of seasons and flowers. They do not need to match exactly. Since there is only one of each tile, any combination of seasons and flowers counts as a pair.
The game ends when there are no more pairs to be matched. You may shuffle tiles up to five times in a game when there are no pairs. But the game ends after these 5 shuffles and there are no more pairs. If you manage to clear the board you go to the next level where you are presented with a different layout of Mahjong Solitaire to challenge you.
Look for less significant pairs
Most players follow the basic Mahjong strategy of removing the tiles is such a manner that it provides more options for pairing the tiles to be remove as the game progress. Another Mahjong strategy to remember is, that once a pair is eliminated, new tiles have to be opened.
A significant thing to remember, is, it’s better to look for the least significant pairs. It is not the best strategy to choose and eliminate the obvious pairs exclusively, like those found in the top level. Getting rid of the obvious pairs in the game may make you vulnerable to lose as the essential tiles remain under cover.
The Mahjong Solitaire games can be played both traditionally with actual playing tiles, and electronically via the internet.
The popularity of the Mahjong games has increase greatly. It has lead to it becoming less tedious to set up, and steps have been taken to make it more difficult for players to cheat.
The basic concept of Mahjong solitaire is to find and remove identical tiles from its four layer pattern of 144 tiles. But, some electronic Mahjong Solitaire games offer other options that provide variety and different challenges.
Some versions of the electronic Mahjong, let you change the tile set and pattern to something easier for you to match at a glance. Others versions offer different layouts with varying degrees of difficulty. There are also some versions that have wildcard tiles which have special functions. Mahjong solitaire games come with an optional time limit to add some challenge to the game. Some electronic Mahjong games offer cheat options that help you find matches. Also, you may be able to do some backtracking and undo your moves. There are games that have their tiles arranged in such a way that you can easily solve the game at least in one way.
Points are gained for each removed pair. You can gain bonus points for removing matched pairs in sequence. Or for removing pairs that are parts of sets.
In Mahjong Solitaire, it is better not to choose to remove the obvious pairs of tiles from the top levels. It could result in the game ending prematurely, because some essential tiles remain hidden underneath the tiles on top.
You can play with partners
Though Mahjong solitaire is usually played by a single person, you can also play with a partner. The winner of the game is the one who collects the most pairs of tiles, who scores the most points or is the last one to match a pair. Even when there’s a partner, this fundamental rule of the game does not change.
Challenge yourself through 101 truly unique game variations of Solitaire
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Enjoy extra mini-games Memory and Matching
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