Play Mahjong Connect Online for Free
Connect pairs and clear the board before time runs out in Mahjong Connect
Mahjong Connect is a classic tile puzzle that puts your matching skills to the test. It first appeared in 1989 arcades as Shisen-shō, a solo tile game where you connect matching pairs through a path that bends up to two times. A year later it spread to home computers, handhelds and browser games, quickly becoming a favorite among puzzle fans.
The rules are simple but the clock keeps ticking and each level adds shifting tiles and new twists. It’s easy to learn, tough to master and free to play in full screen, right here on FreeSolitaire.com, no downloads needed.
How to Play Mahjong Connect
Each level starts with 140 tiles, made from 70 identical pairs randomly placed on the board. You can connect a pair if a line between them bends no more than twice. That means:
- The line can go straight, turn once or turn twice
- It can’t cross through other tiles
- It can wrap around the edge of the board if needed
- Even tiles sitting side by side can be matched, if nothing blocks the way
You can see how this works in Figure 1. Path A bends twice, which is allowed. Path B bends three times, which is not. That third corner makes it an invalid match.
Every time you clear a pair, tiles may shift depending on the level. If you can’t find a match, tap the hint button to reveal one. And if there really are no moves left, the game auto-shuffles to keep things moving.
What’s in the Game
Timer
Mahjong connect starts with 592 seconds on the clock. Each match adds bonus time but you can never go above the starting max. Time bonuses shrink with each level and when you hit 10 seconds, the bar turns orange and starts beeping. That’s your final warning to move fast on those last tiles.
Score
Each matched pair gives you points and the amount per match goes up in higher levels. At the end of a level, your leftover seconds are multiplied by 3.16 and added to your total.
Levels
Each level starts with 70 matching pairs, randomly drawn from a growing pool of tiles. Early levels use fewer symbols with more repeats, so identical pairs are easier to spot. Later levels add more tile types, making matches harder to find. The board also shifts differently each round: some slide, some collapse, some stay still.
Hints
You start with 6 hints in Level 1 and gain one more with each new level. Using a hint shows a valid pair and costs you 5 points. There’s a short cooldown to prevent double taps. Once you're out of hints, the button stays disabled until the next level starts.
Tips to Beat the Game
Want to go far? Play smart. Here are some simple tactics to help:
- Start at the edges: The path can go around the outside so edges often offer the easiest matches.
- Scan like a robot: Move your eyes in a steady Z-pattern: row by row, left to right. First check for straight lines, then one-turn paths, then two.
- Clear blockers: Sometimes one tile is jamming up an entire row or column. Spot it, clear it and the board will open up.
You can play Mahjong Connect full screen right here on FreeSolitaire.com. It works in your browser on desktop or phone and it saves your progress automatically.
Want the full breakdown with scoring, level logic and strategy? Check out the Mahjong Connect Rules & Strategy Guide
