Mahjong
Play Mahjong online for free: remove matching pairs, clear the board, and train your memory! Ready to become a Mahjong Master?
Advertisement
More Games
Playing Mahjong for free offers the perfect brain workout rooted in centuries-old Chinese tradition. This fascinating game from the Middle Kingdom challenges your concentration, pattern recognition, and strategic thinking. With 144 artistically designed tiles featuring bamboo, dragons, winds, and seasons, Mahjong provides a wide variety of challenges and hours of fun — just like you may know from Spiegel Mahjong. Playing online without registration lets you jump in anytime directly in your browser and improve your cognitive skills while you play. Discover the secret of this timeless classic.
More Mahjong games
Tips & Tricks for Mahjong
Tip #1: Open edges first
Start at the outer edges and top layers — free tiles with at least one open side can be paired immediately. This quickly expands your options and helps you avoid early dead ends.
Start at the outer edges and top layers — free tiles with at least one open side can be paired immediately. This quickly expands your options and helps you avoid early dead ends.
Tip #2: Break down tall stacks
Focus on stacked areas and “crowns” — each layer you remove frees multiple tiles. Reducing towers early creates more pairs in the long run and stabilizes the layout for later moves.
Focus on stacked areas and “crowns” — each layer you remove frees multiple tiles. Reducing towers early creates more pairs in the long run and stabilizes the layout for later moves.
Tip #3: Watch sets of four
Most motifs come in sets of four tiles — avoid removing two too quickly if that traps the remaining pair. Better: choose pairs so the last twins stay accessible.
Most motifs come in sets of four tiles — avoid removing two too quickly if that traps the remaining pair. Better: choose pairs so the last twins stay accessible.
Tip #4: Choose high-impact moves
Select pairs that open many new tiles — especially at junctions or choke points. A single strong clear can free whole sections and create more safe follow-ups than small, isolated clears.
Select pairs that open many new tiles — especially at junctions or choke points. A single strong clear can free whole sections and create more safe follow-ups than small, isolated clears.
Tip #5: Avoid dead ends
Before each move, quickly scan the alternatives — will your move leave only a few options? If so, switch to a pair that keeps future combinations open.
Before each move, quickly scan the alternatives — will your move leave only a few options? If so, switch to a pair that keeps future combinations open.
Tip #6: Use assists wisely
If you reach a dead end, you can reshuffle the board three times. Use the light bulb to get hints about pairs. But be careful, these may not necessarily be the smartest moves!
If you reach a dead end, you can reshuffle the board three times. Use the light bulb to get hints about pairs. But be careful, these may not necessarily be the smartest moves!
Advertisement
Instructions for Mahjong
1. Basics
Mahjong is played with a set of detailed tiles stacked into a layout. The goal is to find and remove matching pairs until the board is completely cleared. A tile is free if nothing is stacked on top of it and at least one long side is uncovered. The key is to open up the layout — ideally start on the outside, remove higher layers first, and always check which pairs will open the most new possibilities.
2. Progress
Work from the outside in and from the top down. Clear narrow passages and stacked areas first. Every obstacle you remove frees multiple tiles. Keep an eye on four-of-a-kind groups, and plan pairs so the last twins don’t get trapped. Before each move, quickly check the follow-up options — pairs that open key areas are more valuable than quick, isolated matches. Use the shuffle option only when no logical continuation is possible and you are completely stuck.
3. Bonus Points
You earn points for each correctly removed pair. If you find at least three pairs quickly in a row, you’ll get additional bonus points. When glowing tiles appear, react fast — they reward you with even more points. Your total score is shown at the end of the game and recorded in the high score list. Choose pairs so that follow-up matches are possible right away. At the end of each round, you’ll see your total score and how it was earned.
FAQ for Mahjong
Mahjong is excellent brain training with scientifically proven benefits. Studies show significant improvements in memory, concentration, and cognitive flexibility. The game promotes neuroplasticity and helps build new neural connections. Experts recommend Mahjong as an effective tool for cognitive development and dementia prevention.
Yes, on Zaphira you can play Mahjong completely free and without registration — instantly in your browser, with no download needed. Across 94 levels, you can put your skills to the test and climb all the way to the top of the high score list.
You can earn plenty of points in Mahjong online on Zaphira. For regular pairs, you’ll earn 30 points. Find three pairs in quick succession, and you’ll get an extra 50 points. Spot glowing tiles on the board and clear them quickly to earn a 100-point bonus. You’ll also receive extra rewards for clearing the board within a set time limit.
No, Mahjong online on Zaphira isn’t always solvable. However, you have the option to get some help. With the lightbulb button — which can be used up to three times — you can highlight pairs you may have overlooked. By an watching an ad, you also have the chance to earn three additional jokers in the form of lightbulbs. You can also reshuffle the tiles up to three times. Here, too, you can gain three more jokers through ads, similar to how it works in Spiegel Mahjong. If that still doesn’t help, you’ll have to start a new game.
