Turtle

Mahjong game section

Loading mahjong online game. The game is almost loaded - we are preparing the mahjong game board now. After loading you can enjoy the free game.
0%
Loading radio.

Free Online Mahjong Solitaire Game

Play the ancient game of Mahjong online on TheMahjong.com. Try fullscreen mode and explore other exciting features. We offer over 160 Mahjong Solitaire layouts, all available for free.

About the Mahjong Game on TheMahjong.com

Mahjong is more than just a game; it is a cultural heritage that traces its roots to ancient China. Originating during the Qing dynasty, Mahjong has captured the hearts of millions worldwide. Its unique combination of strategy, calculation, and an element of chance makes Mahjong a true test of intellect and skill. Over time, Mahjong has evolved in many ways. Its European adaptation, Mahjong Solitaire, has gained particular popularity, introducing new game mechanics, formats, and layouts such as 'Turtle', 'Fish', 'Butterfly', and many more.

A person playing an authentic Mahjong Solitaire with classic tiles. The tiles are arranged in the 'Turtle' layout.

On TheMahjong.com, you will find a unique adaptation of this classic game. We offer a wide variety of layouts that allow you to experience the beauty and elegance of Mahjong. Whether you are a seasoned Mahjong player or just starting out, our website provides everything you need for a smooth and enjoyable gameplay experience.

Classic Mahjong tiles arranged on a black table. In the center, various completed combinations are visible, including dragons, bamboo, dots, and wind symbols. In the foreground, a red tray holds several tiles.

We invite you to join a centuries-old tradition by playing Mahjong on TheMahjong.com. Enjoy the carefully designed interface and features, and immerse yourself in the world of strategy.

How to Play Mahjong

  • The first rule of Mahjong Solitaire.

    Demonstration of how to find matching tiles in Mahjong Solitaire.

    Find a pair of matching tiles and click both to remove them. Once you remove all pairs and clear the board, you win Mahjong Solitaire!

  • The second rule of Mahjong Solitaire.

    Demonstration of how to remove tiles in Mahjong Solitaire.

    You can only remove a tile if it is open on either its left or right side. If a tile is blocked on both sides, you cannot remove it.

  • The third rule of Mahjong Solitaire.

    Demonstration of identical tiles in Mahjong Solitaire.

    Each tile type appears four times on the board. Choose wisely which ones to match first.

  • The fourth rule of Mahjong Solitaire.

    Demonstration of special tiles in Mahjong Solitaire.

    Four Seasons tiles are unique. There is only one of each, but any season tile can match with another season tile! The same applies to the Four Noble Plants tiles – they can also be matched with one another.

For more information about the rules and strategy of Mahjong, visit the section.

Play more than 160 mahjong solitaire layouts:

And much more — click "Layouts" in the game or visit the page with all layouts .

Mahjong Tips and Tricks

  • Take a moment to examine the layout.

    Before making your first move in Mahjong Solitaire, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the board layout. You will likely spot some strong opening moves. Pay special attention to the locations of the unique Mahjong tiles (Seasons and Flowers) — they can be a great advantage.

  • Look for moves that uncover more tiles.

    Always try to match pairs that reveal the most new tiles. Some pairs don't open up any new possibilities, so it's often best to keep them in reserve and match them later.

  • Found three matching tiles? Think it through!

    If you see three identical, free-to-match tiles, choose a pair that opens up the most new tiles or look for a way to free the fourth one and match all four.

  • Four matching tiles? Don’t miss your chance!

    If you spot four identical, free tiles, you're in luck! Match them right away to maximize your progress.

  • Clear long rows to avoid getting stuck.

    Prioritize matching tiles at the edges of long horizontal rows. Leaving these rows intact can quickly lead to problems.

  • Focus on tall stacks — they hide tricky pairs.

    Tall stacks of tiles should be a key priority in Mahjong Solitaire. Not only are they difficult to dismantle, but they may also contain two identical tiles stacked directly on top of each other. If no matching tiles exist outside the stack, you may find yourself stuck.

  • Don't hesitate to use hints and undo!

    Make the most of TheMahjong.com features like Undo and Hint to enhance your gameplay.

Simple Controls and Custom Settings for a Comfortable Mahjong Experience

Discover the convenience and versatility of controls in the classic game of mahjong at TheMahjong.com. Our platform offers intuitive hotkeys and a customizable settings panel, ensuring a seamless gaming experience and helping you improve your mahjong strategy. Take advantage of these features to make your game even more exciting and comfortable.

Mahjong Hotkeys:

  • P (Pause):

    Use this key to temporarily pause the game. It's a great way to take a break, think about your strategy, or just relax while keeping your game progress intact.

  • Z (Undo):

    This function allows you to undo your last move, which is especially useful if you've made a mistake or want to reconsider your strategy.

  • H (Hint):

    Get a helpful hint when you're stuck or looking for a way to speed up the game. This feature will help you see available moves and could be the key to your next successful step.

Mahjong Settings Panel:

  • Tile Color Scheme Selection:

    Our site offers a variety of color schemes, allowing you to make the gameplay even more comfortable and visually pleasant.

  • Background Color and Image Customization:

    Personalize your gaming space by choosing from multiple background and color options to create the perfect atmosphere for your game.

  • Custom Game Settings:

    Adjust the game to your preferences by enabling tile highlighting, shuffling, and other options to create your unique mahjong experience.

By using these control and customization tools, you will not only enhance your mahjong skills but also get the most enjoyment out of every game. Our website, TheMahjong.com, aims to provide you with the best gaming experience by combining classic mahjong traditions with modern technology and a user-friendly interface.

How Mahjong Supports Cognitive Health

Playing mahjong regularly is not only entertaining but also provides significant benefits for cognitive abilities. Research shows that mahjong and similar puzzles, including mahjong solitaire, stimulate brain activity, enhance memory, and improve concentration. It is an excellent way to train strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

Mahjong also fosters social interaction by creating an environment for sharing experiences and strategies with other players. Such interactions can strengthen interpersonal relationships and reduce feelings of loneliness.

Additionally, the game is an effective way to reduce stress. Immersing yourself in the game helps distract from daily worries and anxieties, providing a sense of relaxation and tranquility. It is a great alternative to meditation for those seeking peace through active engagement.

Three young people play mahjong at a black table. One of the players, a tattooed man, makes a move while the others watch with interest. Each player has a tile rack in front of them. In the background, there is a bright room with a plant in the corner.

Playing mahjong also helps slow down brain aging and maintain cognitive health over time. Regular mental exercises like mahjong can prevent or delay cognitive decline associated with aging.

In addition to these benefits, regular mahjong play promotes patience and perseverance. By mastering complex combinations and strategies, players learn to be more attentive and focused, which is useful in daily life and tasks that require prolonged concentration.

Classic Mahjong and Mahjong Solitaire: A Comparison of Two Game Types

Classic mahjong and mahjong solitaire differ in several key aspects. Classic mahjong is a traditional Chinese game played with four players, where the objective is to form winning tile combinations. It uses 144 tiles, including characters, bamboo, circles, winds, dragons, and additional tiles such as flowers and seasons.

Classic mahjong tiles laid out on a black background. The rows display suits like Bamboo, Circles, and Characters, along with winds, flowers, seasons, and dragons. All tiles are neatly arranged, showcasing a traditional mahjong set.

Mahjong solitaire, on the other hand, is a single-player game where the goal is to clear the board by matching pairs of identical tiles. This version of the game uses the same tile set as classic mahjong, but its objectives and rules are entirely different.

Various tile layouts in mahjong solitaire add uniqueness and variety to the game. From classic formations to more intricate and unconventional shapes, each layout presents unique challenges and strategies for clearing the board. These diverse configurations not only increase the difficulty but also allow players to explore new strategic approaches to the game. This variety makes mahjong solitaire not only an engaging puzzle but also a great way to train cognitive skills such as spatial awareness and planning.

A hand picks up a tile from a spread of mahjong tiles on a black table. In the background, there is a red partition, and among the tiles, various suits can be seen, including bamboo, dots, and dragons.

The main difference between the two versions lies in the number of players and the gameplay style. Classic mahjong requires strategic thinking, the ability to analyze opponents' moves, and planning ahead. Mahjong solitaire focuses on visual memory and the ability to quickly spot matching tiles.

A group of friends playing classic mahjong at a black table. The players are smiling and discussing the game while one of them picks up a tile from the center. Each player has a tile rack in front of them.

The difficulty of classic mahjong varies based on the players' experience and the complexity of the chosen winning combination. Mahjong solitaire offers different difficulty levels depending on the initial tile layout and restrictions on time or moves.

Both versions of mahjong enhance focus, concentration, and cognitive skills, but each does so in its own way, providing unique challenges and gameplay experiences.

Interesting Facts About Mahjong

  • The Origin of the Game’s Name:

    Originally, the game was called 麻雀 (máquè), which means 'sparrow,' and this name is still used in some Chinese languages, primarily in the south, such as Cantonese. It is believed that the sound made by shuffling the tiles resembles the chirping of sparrows. Another theory suggests that the name originated from the development of an earlier card game called Madiao, from which mahjong tiles were later adapted. In Chinese, the term 麻雀戰 (máquè zhàn) refers to a form of guerrilla warfare tactics, informally called 'sparrow tactics.' In other dialects, such as Sichuanese and Shanghainese, the game is now called 麻將 (májiàng), which is an Erhua-modified form of the original name.

  • Modern Variations of the Game:

    Over time, mahjong has undergone transformations, leading to various versions such as Chinese classical mahjong, American mahjong, Japanese riichi, and mahjong solitaire. Each version has its own unique rules and features.

  • Cultural Heritage:

    Mahjong holds a significant place in cultural heritage, especially in China, reflecting deep historical roots and traditional values.

  • Popularity After Inclusion in Microsoft:

    The popularity of mahjong solitaire significantly increased after its inclusion in Microsoft operating systems, making the game accessible to a wide audience and contributing to its global spread.

  • The Emergence of Shanghai Mahjong:

    The original computer version of mahjong solitaire, known as Shanghai Mahjong, was created by Brodie Lockard in 1981. This version used the standard set of traditional mahjong tiles and was later included in Microsoft operating systems.

  • Difference Between Shanghai Mahjong and Mahjong Solitaire:

    Shanghai Mahjong is considered one of the variations of mahjong solitaire, distinguished by its unique level designs. The main difference lies in its specific visual style and, in some cases, additional rules or game modes, such as different difficulty levels and layouts. Both versions share the objective of removing pairs of identical tiles from the game board.

  • Contribution to Mahjong’s Popularization:

    The inclusion of mahjong solitaire in Microsoft operating systems contributed to its global popularity, while Shanghai Mahjong played a role in spreading the game both in China and beyond, allowing players to engage with traditional Chinese culture.

  • Mahjong by Microsoft:

    Microsoft Mahjong, first introduced as part of the Windows Entertainment Pack in 1990 and included in later Windows versions, significantly boosted the popularity of mahjong. This version of mahjong solitaire features visual themes, hints, undo options, and difficulty ratings, making the game accessible to a wide range of players.

  • Difficulty Levels:

    Various versions of mahjong, including Microsoft Mahjong, offer multiple difficulty levels, reflected in the number of tile layers, their arrangement, and time constraints. This approach allows players to gradually improve their skills and strategies.

  • Variety of Layouts:

    One of the appealing features of mahjong is the variety of tile layouts. These range from traditional pyramids to complex configurations that present unique strategic challenges.

Mahjong News

  • When Nature Sets the Rules: The Impact of California Wildfires on TheMahjong.comWhen Nature Sets the Rules: The Impact of California Wildfires on TheMahjong.com

    When Nature Sets the Rules: The Impact of California Wildfires on TheMahjong.com

  • Celebrate the Chinese New Year with Mahjong at TheMahjong.comCelebrate the Chinese New Year with Mahjong at TheMahjong.com

    Celebrate the Chinese New Year with Mahjong at TheMahjong.com

  • Even More Layouts for Christmas!Even More Layouts for Christmas!

    Even More Layouts for Christmas!

  • New Year Update on TheMahjong.comNew Year Update on TheMahjong.com

    New Year Update on TheMahjong.com

  • DIY Advent Calendar with Mahjong: Christmas Inspiration in Every DayDIY Advent Calendar with Mahjong: Christmas Inspiration in Every Day

    DIY Advent Calendar with Mahjong: Christmas Inspiration in Every Day

  • Thanksgiving Mahjong: Bringing the Family Together Over a GameThanksgiving Mahjong: Bringing the Family Together Over a Game

    Thanksgiving Mahjong: Bringing the Family Together Over a Game

  • Mahjong Mania Takes Over the USMahjong Mania Takes Over the US

    Mahjong Mania Takes Over the US

  • Discover Halloween Magic with Mahjong & Fortune CookiesDiscover Halloween Magic with Mahjong & Fortune Cookies

    Discover Halloween Magic with Mahjong & Fortune Cookies

Play Mahjong Online for Free on TheMahjong.com

Thank you for choosing TheMahjong.com as your platform for playing mahjong online. Our game combines classic rules with modern features, providing users with a comfortable and well-thought-out gaming experience. Convenient control settings, hotkey support, and a carefully designed interface help ensure focus and a calm atmosphere during each game.

We continuously improve the website by implementing innovative solutions and updating the visual design. This ensures high-quality user interaction and adaptation to modern gaming requirements.

If you have any questions, we recommend visiting the Frequently Asked Questions section, where you will find detailed information about the main aspects of the website's functionality.

User rating of our game

Current Rating

4.7

2699 Users Rated

Rate Us!

Do you like our Mahjong?

Add The Mahjong to your desktop and never search for it again