Mahjong solitaire uses a set of 144 tiles, and among those tiles are the dragon tiles: red, green, and white dragons, four of each. The dragon theme on dragon-solitaire.com meets a different kind of solitaire here, one played with tiles instead of cards. It is a matching game, but the dragons are just one part of a larger set.
What is Mahjong Solitaire?
Mahjong solitaire is a single player tile matching game. The goal is to remove all tiles from the board by pairing identical tiles. This is not the four player game of mahjong. It is a solitaire puzzle that uses a set of 144 tiles. The classic starting layout is called the Turtle. Some layouts cannot be cleared, similar to Klondike.
The computer version was created by Brodie Lockard in 1981 on the PLATO system. Activision later released it as Shanghai in 1986. Many digital versions have appeared since, and the game remains popular for its simple rules and puzzle challenge.
The 144 Tiles Suits, Winds, and Dragon Tiles
The set of 144 tiles is divided into several groups. Learn these groups before you play.
- 108 suit tiles: The dots, bamboo, and characters. Each suit is numbered 1 to 9, and there are four copies of each tile. That is 9 numbers times 3 suits times 4 copies, or 108 tiles.
- 16 wind tiles: Four wind directions (north, south, east, west), and four of each wind.
- 12 dragon tiles: Red, green, and white dragons. Each dragon appears four times, so 3 dragons times 4 copies equals 12 tiles.
- 4 flower tiles and 4 season tiles: Any flower pairs with any other flower. Any season pairs with any other season. These eight special tiles sit outside the suits and honors.
When you play, pair identical tiles. A red dragon pairs only with another red dragon, and the same for green and white. The red green white dragon mahjong set is a standard part of the tile collection.
How to Play Matching and Removing Tiles
Basic Rules
The mahjong solitaire rules are straightforward. Remove pairs of identical tiles that are free. A tile is free when nothing covers it and it is open on the left or right side. Tiles in the middle of a row with tiles on both sides are not free, even if nothing is on top of them.
Step by Step
- Examine the layout and find a pair of identical free tiles.
- Click or tap the first tile to select it.
- Click or tap the identical tile to remove the pair.
- Continue until all tiles are gone or no more moves are possible.
Because there are four copies of each suit tile and four of each dragon tile, you have multiple pairing options. Choose carefully. The pair you remove first can decide whether you clear the whole layout.
The Turtle Layout and Other Starting Shapes
The classic starting layout is called the Turtle. It stacks tiles in several layers, with the bottom layer being the largest. The name comes from the shape, which resembles a turtle shell. Many digital versions offer other starting layouts, but the Turtle is the most traditional.
Some layouts cannot be cleared no matter how carefully you play. This is true for the Turtle as well as for other shapes. If you get stuck, shuffle or restart. The same limitation exists in Klondike card solitaire.
Mahjong Solitaire vs Card Solitaire
Equipment and Matching Rules
Mahjong solitaire and card solitaire are both single player games, but they differ in several ways.
- Equipment: Mahjong solitaire uses 144 tiles with images. Card solitaire uses a standard deck of cards, or sometimes two decks.
- Matching rules: In mahjong solitaire, you pair identical tiles. In many card solitaire games like Klondike, you match by alternating colors and descending rank.
Layout and Removal
- Layout: Mahjong solitaire tiles are stacked in layers. Card solitaire cards are laid out in a tableau with some face up and some face down.
- Removal conditions: A mahjong solitaire tile must be free, uncovered and open on one side. In card solitaire, you move cards based on rank and suit, and you can often move partial sequences.
The two games share the name solitaire but offer very different experiences. Mahjong solitaire is more about spatial awareness and planning ahead. Card solitaire relies more on sequence and suit management.
Dragon Tiles in Mahjong Solitaire
The dragon tiles are one of the honor tile groups. There are three colors: red, green, and white. Each appears four times in the set. These tiles are identical within their color, so pair a red dragon only with another red dragon. The same applies to green and white.
In some versions, the white dragon tile may be shown as a blank tile or a tile with a frame. Regardless of the artwork, the pairing rule stays the same. The red green white dragon mahjong set is standard across nearly all versions of the game.
Because there are only four of each dragon, they are relatively rare on the board. This makes them tricky to pair, especially if they are buried under other tiles. Watch where the dragon tiles land in the layout.
Variations Shanghai Solitaire and Others
When Activision released mahjong solitaire as Shanghai in 1986, the name stuck for many players. Shanghai solitaire is the same game as mahjong solitaire, just with a different title. Some versions include different tile sets or layouts, but the core rules are identical.
Other variations may change the number of tiles or add special rules. The standard 144 tile set with 108 suit tiles, 16 winds, 12 dragons, 4 flowers, and 4 seasons is the most common. Start with the classic rules before trying variations.