A lot of people find their way to mahjong through the solitaire game. Maybe you played it on an old family computer, or it's your favorite puzzle on your tablet. Then someone invites you to a mahjong game night, and you realize everyone is sitting around a table, passing tiles and chatting. What happened to the pile?
Here's the short answer: mahjong solitaire is a different game that borrows the mahjong tiles. The good news is that what you learned there still helps you.
What is mahjong solitaire?
Mahjong solitaire is a one-player matching puzzle. The tiles are stacked in a layout, often a shape like a turtle or a pyramid. You remove tiles two at a time by clicking on matching pairs. A tile can only be removed if it's "free," which usually means nothing is on top of it and at least one side is open.
Your goal is to clear the whole layout. There's no opponent, no hand to build, and no luck of the draw once the tiles are dealt.
The solitaire version is a computer-era invention. It became popular as a computer game in the 1980s, and it's been a staple of computers and phones ever since. It's a lovely puzzle, but it isn't how mahjong has been played at the table.
What is real mahjong?
Mahjong is a game for four players that began in China in the 19th century. It spread around the world in the early 1900s and is played in many styles today, from Chinese and Japanese mahjong to the American version. It's a game of skill, strategy, a bit of luck, and plenty of conversation. Its long history in China is a big part of what makes it special, and many players enjoy learning about it as they go.
Every style works roughly the same way. Each player holds a hand of tiles. On your turn, you draw a tile and discard one. You're trying to arrange your tiles into a winning pattern before anyone else does. When you complete it, you call "Mahjong!"
How American mahjong works
American mahjong, which is what most US clubs and classes play, adds a few special features:
- 152 tiles, including 8 jokers and 8 flowers
- A yearly card that lists the winning hands you can aim for
- The Charleston, a tile-passing round at the start of each game
- Racks that hold your tiles and help build the wall
Your job is to pick one hand from the card and collect the tiles to match it. Here's one of our own practice hands, so you can see what a target looks like:
Like numbers
Three of a Kind
X30¢
FFF77777777777
Pick any one number and collect it in all three suits. Sevens are shown, but any number works.
One way to complete it:
For the full walkthrough, see how to play American mahjong, and for the card itself, how to read the mahjong card.
Mahjong vs. mahjong solitaire at a glance
| Feature | Mahjong solitaire | American mahjong |
|---|---|---|
| Players | One | Four (with 2- and 3-player variants) |
| Goal | Clear the layout by removing pairs | Build a winning hand from the card |
| Tiles | Usually 144, no jokers | 152, including 8 jokers |
| Each turn | Pick any two free matching tiles | Draw one tile, discard one tile |
| Where it's played | On a screen | Mostly at a table with friends |
| Origins | Computer era, 1980s | China, 19th century |
What carries over from solitaire
You're not starting from zero. Solitaire players already have some real skills:
- Tile recognition. You know a Bam from a Dot, and you can spot a dragon at a glance.
- Matching. Spotting identical tiles quickly helps you see pairs and pungs in your hand.
- Patience. Both games reward slowing down and looking at the whole picture.
What's new for you
A few things will feel different at first. That's completely normal.
Jokers
Solitaire sets don't usually have jokers, but American mahjong has eight, and they're the most useful tiles in the game. Learn how they work in our joker rules guide.
Flowers and winds have jobs
In solitaire, any flower matches any flower. In American mahjong, flowers and winds are part of specific hands on the card, so you'll start paying attention to how many you hold.
The White Dragon
The White Dragon is often called "Soap." In American mahjong it's sometimes used as a zero in hands, which surprises a lot of new players.
Other people
The biggest change is the best one. You'll be passing tiles in the Charleston, watching what others discard, and sharing a table with friends.
Your first steps from solitaire to the table
- Take the tile quiz to see how well your solitaire eye works on an American set.
- Play a hand in our practice game to feel the draw-and-discard rhythm.
- Try the Charleston simulator so tile passing feels familiar.
- Learn what's in the box with our guide to the American mahjong set.
When you're ready for game night, the First Game Night Kit gives you a printable cheat sheet and original practice hands, and our beginner guides cover the rest. You already know the tiles. You've got this.
