What Are Free Tiles in Mahjong Solitaire?
In Mahjong Solitaire, free tiles (also called exposed tiles) are tiles that are fully visible and not covered by other tiles, allowing you to remove them by matching pairs. They act as the "keys" to solving the puzzle, as only these tiles can be played. Understanding how to identify and prioritize them is the difference between winning and getting stuck.
How to Spot Free Tiles: The 3 Rules
- No Overlapping Tiles: A tile is free if nothing is stacked on top of it.
Example: In a pyramid layout, tiles on the top layer are always free initially.
- Accessible Sides: At least one long edge (left/right) must be fully exposed.
Myth Buster: Tiles under overhangs (e.g., in the "Turtle" layout) aren’t free until the overhang is cleared.
- Matching Pair Available: Even if a tile is technically free, you need an identical tile to remove it.
Caption: Green tiles are free; red tiles are blocked by others.
Why Free Tile Management Wins Games
Case Study: The 144-Tile Pyramid Layout
- Initial Free Tiles: 8–12 tiles (top rows).
- Critical Strategy: Remove tiles from the center first to unlock side layers.
- Common Mistake: Randomly matching edge tiles first, which traps central tiles.
Advanced Free Tile Tactics
1. The Domino Effect
Remove tiles that unblock the most new free tiles. For example:
- A central tile may unlock 4+ tiles when removed.
- Edge tiles often only unlock 1–2 tiles.
2. Pattern Memory Hack
Memorize common tile positions in layouts like "The Turtle" or "Dragon".
- Example: In "The Turtle", flowers and seasons tiles are often clustered at the "shell".
3. Undo Button as a Scanner
Temporarily match questionable pairs to see what tiles become free.
Tip: Undo if the result traps you.
Mastering free tile management is key to winning more Mahjong Solitaire games. Use these strategies, practice different layouts, and improve your decision-making to solve puzzles faster!