Mahjong Solitaire

Remove matching pairs. A tile is free when no tile covers it and either its left or right side is open. Flowers match flowers and seasons match seasons. Each initial deal has a clearing sequence; later choices can leave you stuck. Hints show a legal pair. Shuffle reassigns remaining faces when the remaining layers permit it; otherwise Undo or start a new deal. The daily deal uses Terraces and resets at midnight UTC.

Why a matching pair may be blocked

Matching pictures are only half of the rule. Both tiles must also be free: nothing can sit above either tile, and each needs an open left or right edge. An exposed top edge alone is not enough. Select a free tile, then its free match to remove the pair. Watch the available-pairs counter after each move to see how your choice changes the table.

Choose pairs that uncover other tiles

When several copies of a face are available, compare what each removal opens. Clearing a tile from a tall stack or a long row can expose more choices than taking two isolated tiles. A hint identifies a legal pair, not a guaranteed winning continuation. If no pair remains, use Undo to revisit the choice that closed the board. Shuffle changes the remaining faces when the remaining shape can be paired; it does not remove the layers themselves.

Questions players ask

Why can I not select an exposed tile?

It also needs an open left or right side. Being visible from above is not enough if both sides are blocked.

Is every pair safe to remove?

No. The initial deal has a clearing sequence, but choosing other pairs can leave no continuation. Hint shows a legal pair, not a full solution.

Why can Shuffle fail?

Some remaining layer shapes cannot be paired. Undo a recent choice or start a new deal in that case.

Keep playing and learning

Try Solitaire for another uncovering puzzle, or Nonograms for reasoning from a complete set of clues.