Mahjong tiles explained: a simple guide for solitaire
Mahjong tiles can look busy at first, with Chinese characters, circles and sticks. For mahjong solitaire you only need one skill: spotting two tiles that are exactly the same. This guide walks through each kind of tile you will see in Calm Mahjong.
The three suits
Most tiles belong to one of three suits. Each suit runs from 1 to 9. In Calm Mahjong every suit tile shows a small number badge in the corner (you can turn it off in settings), so you don't need to count or read Chinese. The badge shape also tells you the suit.
| Dots (also called circles) | Round circles. The number of circles is the tile's number. Blue round badge. |
| Bamboo (also called bams or sticks) | Green bamboo sticks. Green square badge. |
| Characters (also called cracks) | A Chinese number on top and the character 萬 (ten thousand) below. Red diamond badge. |
Match rule: same suit and same number. A 5 of dots matches only another 5 of dots, not a 5 of bamboo.
Winds
There are four winds: East, South, West and North. In Calm Mahjong they are shown with large letters E, S, W and N. An East matches only an East.
Dragons
There are three dragons:
- Red dragon: the red character 中.
- Green dragon: the green character 發.
- White dragon: a blank tile with a frame.
Each dragon matches only the same dragon.
Flower tiles
Traditional sets have a few flower and season tiles. In many solitaire games, any flower matches any other flower. Calm Mahjong uses a larger set of picture tiles, such as plum, orchid, chrysanthemum, lotus, tulip, maple, cherry blossom and peony. In Calm Mahjong, flower tiles match only the same flower: a lotus matches a lotus, a tulip matches a tulip. This keeps the rule the same for every tile, which many players find easier.
How many tiles are there?
A full traditional set has 144 tiles. Calm Mahjong boards use fewer tiles at the start, from small starter boards up to larger layouts like the Turtle, Butterfly, Castle and Fortress. Tiles always come in matching pairs, so every board can be cleared.
Tips for telling tiles apart
- Look at the badge first: round, square or diamond tells you the suit, then read the number.
- Letters mean winds. Chinese characters without a badge are dragons.
- If tiles are hard to read, try another tile style, turn on the color-blind friendly option or zoom in from the settings.
More: Mahjong Solitaire Tips: How to Clear More Boards · Mahjong Solitaire vs. Mahjong: What Is the Difference? · How to play