Mahjong Solitaire (Shanghai)

Mahjong Solitaire, often called Shanghai, became a computer puzzle in 1981 when Brodie Lockard created a tile-matching game on the PLATO system. Activision later published Shanghai in 1986, helping the format reach home computers. The goal is simple: remove matching open tile pairs until the layout is empty. The challenge comes from blocked tiles, stacked layers, and the order in which you free pairs. Start matching tiles and clear the Shanghai layout online.

1. Find two identical tiles that are both free.
2. A tile is free when no tile covers it and at least one long side, left or right, is open.
3. Click or tap the first tile, then choose its matching partner.
4. Remove pairs to expose lower and inner tiles.
5. Keep matching until every tile is gone.
6. Restart if no legal pairs remain.

• Most layouts use a 144-tile mahjong set.
• Only free tiles can be selected.
• Matching tiles usually need identical faces.
• Flower tiles and season tiles may use group matching in some rule sets.
• You win by removing every tile from the layout.
• You lose or reshuffle when no legal free pair remains.

• Remove pairs that unblock the most tiles. A pair on the edge may be less valuable than a pair covering the center.
• Balance both sides of the layout. Clearing only one side can leave the other side locked.
• Look under tall stacks first. Upper layers hide many future matches.
• Do not remove an easy pair if another copy of that tile blocks a deeper layer.
• Use memory. When you see a matching tile buried, remember which tile must be freed later.

• Turtle Mahjong: Uses the famous turtle-shaped Shanghai layout.
• Mahjong Connect: Matches tiles by drawing paths with no more than two turns.
• Mahjong Dimensions: Places the matching idea into a rotating 3D-style cube layout.

• The tile set gives clear visual patterns.
• Every removed pair changes the board in a visible way.
• Games are calm, but the blocked-tile rule gives real decisions.
• Layouts offer high replay value because tile placement changes each deal.

Play Mahjong Solitaire Shanghai online for free. Match open pairs, clear stacked layers, and use the guide on this page when you want a cleaner plan than random clicking.

Mahjong Solitaire Shanghai gives you a calm tile puzzle with enough depth to reward careful play. Free the top layers, protect key pairs, and clear the layout one match at a time.

• Mahjong Solitaire History
• Shanghai Video Game Background