Aloha Mahjong

Aloha Mahjong stacks its layout with Hawaiian souvenirs rather than the usual suits, and the pile is worked apart pair by pair until nothing is left standing. Mahjong Solitaire Rules Explained goes through it slowly for a first-time player.

The rule that decides every move is what counts as free. A tile qualifies when nothing covers it and at least one of its sides is clear, so a piece wedged between two neighbours with a third resting on top stays out of reach until the pieces around it go. RavalMatic runs this board as one of its daily Mahjong at Home layouts, which means the arrangement you meet belongs to the day rather than being a fixed puzzle you can memorise and repeat. Mahjong Kids uses the matching rule on a differently drawn set.

The board is a wide one, and the Aloha artwork, all flowers, drinks and surf gear, is drawn large enough to tell apart at a glance. Taps register as readily as clicks. Only tiles with an open side move in the Kitchen board too.

1. Look over the stack and find two Aloha tiles carrying the same Hawaiian item.
2. Check that each one is free: nothing on top of it, and a clear side to the left or right.
3. Click the two in turn to take both off the layout.
4. Carry on until the last souvenirs have been matched away and the stack is gone.

• Start from the top — the upper pieces of the Aloha stack block the most tiles beneath them, and lifting them widens every later choice.
• Count the copies — when three of one Hawaiian item are showing, pair the two that free the most neighbours rather than the two nearest your cursor.
• Mind the walled side — a tile with company on both sides is unavailable even though you can see it perfectly well.
• Come back tomorrow — the daily layout changes, so a board you could not finish will not be the board waiting next time.