Mahjong Connect Rules & Strategy Guide

Anna | December 2, 2025

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Mahjong Connect is a solo tile-matching game where you clear the board by linking matching tiles. It’s easy to pick up but each level adds a little more challenge. Below you’ll find the rules for the version you can play on our website.

How to Play Mahjong Connect

Your goal is simple: clear the board before the timer runs out. Each level starts with 140 tiles, which means 70 matching pairs hidden across the grid. You can remove a pair if the tiles are the same and you can connect them with a path that bends at most twice. The line can go straight, turn once or twice, but never more than that. Each bend must be a clean 90-degree angle, and the line can’t go through other tiles. It can wrap around the outside of the board if needed. Even tiles that sit directly next to each other can be matched as long as nothing is in the way. See Figure 1 for a visual explanation. The blue lines show valid matches with paths that bend once, twice or not at all. None bend more than two times, because that is the rule.

There are 12 levels in total and each one plays differently. Tile movement changes, time bonuses shrink and the tile set grows more complex as you go. It starts off easy and relaxed but quickly becomes a race.

Board, Deal and Tile Sets

Each level begins with 140 tiles. Behind the scenes, the game builds a pool of allowed tiles for that level, picks 70, then duplicates each one so every tile has a matching pair. The layout is shuffled and there’s always at least one valid match on the board when the level starts.

In the early levels, the tile set is smaller, so you’ll see more repeats and simpler layouts. Later levels add more tile types and more complexity, which makes scanning slower and the board trickier to clear.

Timer and Time Bonuses

Each level starts with 592 seconds on the clock. Every correct match adds time, but you can never go above 592. Early levels give bigger time bonuses, later ones give less. When you hit 10 seconds or less, the timer bar turns orange and you'll hear a short beep every second. It's a final warning to hurry up and find those last matches.

Here are the approximate time bonuses per match:

• Level 1: +13.3 seconds
• Level 2: +10.8 seconds
• Level 3: +8.3 seconds
• Level 4: +6.6 seconds
• Level 5: +5.0 seconds
• Level 6: +3.3 seconds
• Level 7: +2.5 seconds
• Level 8: +1.7 seconds
• Level 9: +1.1 seconds
• Level 10: +0.8 seconds
• Level 11: +0.6 seconds
• Level 12: +0.5 seconds

Scoring

You earn points for every pair you match, plus a time bonus at the end of each level based on how much time you have left.

• Level 1 and Level 2: +10 points per pair
• Level 3 to Level 6: +15 points per pair
• Level 7 and Level 8: +20 points per pair
• Level 9 to Level 12: +30 points per pair

At the end of the level, your remaining time is multiplied by 3.16 and rounded. That number is added to your score as a bonus.

Hints

To help you out a little bit, the game gives you hints along the way. You start with 6 in Level 1 and earn one extra hint each time you move to the next level. Using a hint shows a valid pair and costs 5 points. There's a short cooldown after each use so you don’t spend two by mistake. Once you run out, the hint button stays disabled until the next level starts.

When the Board Moves

After every correct match, the board shifts in a different way depending on the level. Some levels slide tiles in one direction, others collapse toward the center, and a few don’t move at all. This movement adds challenge and keeps each level feeling different. Learning how it works helps you plan better and spot faster matches:

• Level 1: slides south
• Level 2: no movement
• Level 3: vertical collapse toward center
• Level 4: horizontal collapse toward center
• Level 5: slides west
• Level 6: no movement
• Level 7: slides north
• Level 8: slides east
• Level 9: horizontal collapse toward center
• Level 10: slides south
• Level 11: slides west
• Level 12: collapses inward in phases from all sides

No Moves, No Problem

If there are no valid pairs left, Mahjong Connect automatically shuffles. A short message appears, input pauses for a moment and then play continues. After every shuffle, there is always at least one valid pair on the board so you won’t get stuck in a shuffle loop.

Pause and Resume

Need a coffee or tea break? You can pause the game any time. The timer stops, controls lock and the tiles hide so you can’t cheat with a sneak peek. When you resume, everything picks up where you left off. Progress is saved locally so you can return later with the same level, timer, score, hints and layout.

Mahjong Connect Strategy Tips

A few smart habits can make a big difference. These tips help you clear faster, save time and stay ahead of the clock.

• Work the edges: Clear pairs on the border first. The path can run outside, so edges open easy lanes for new matches.
• Scan in order: Sweep the board in a calm Z-pattern. Check straight lines first, then one turn, then two. Stay steady, no rushing.
• Play the movement: Learn how tiles shift on this level and plan for it. Clear in that direction so new pairs align faster.
• Bank time early: Early levels give bigger bonuses. Grab fast wins and keep the timer high. Don’t get stuck hunting one tricky pair.
• Use hints smartly: Hints cost points, so save them for tight endgames or cluttered layouts. After a shuffle, pause and re-scan the edges.
• Remove blockers: Target tiles that free a whole row or column. One smart unblock can lead to several quick matches in a row.

Want to try Mahjong Connect yourself? You can play it full screen on FreeSolitaire.com, right in your browser or on your phone. No download needed.