Christmas Connection

Despite the name, nothing here is joined by a path. This is a match-three board, and its premise is a wizard’s spell that turned the Christmas items into balls. The reasoning behind the move order is in Mahjong Rules for Beginners.

Three or more of the same item in a line breaks the spell on them and adds to the score. What separates Christmas Connection from the neighbouring boards is the clock: the round is short by design, and the target New Kids Games sets is not a finished layout but the highest score you can reach before time is gone. That changes how you play, because a small guaranteed line taken quickly is usually worth more than the long combination you are still hunting when the timer stops. Another board in winter colours is Xmas Triple.

The board is drawn wide at 960 by 540 and answers to taps as well as clicks, which suits a game measured in seconds rather than in solved layouts. Merry Christmas Connect is the same idea under Christmas art.

1. Look over the grid of Christmas items for three or more of the same kind that can be brought into a line.
2. Make the line to clear them and add the points to your running score.
3. Keep the clears coming without pausing, since the round is measured in a short window.
4. Push the score as high as it will go before the timer stops the round.

• Speed beats size — Christmas Connection scores against a short clock, so a modest line taken now outruns a bigger one you never complete.
• Read the lower rows — clears near the bottom drop new items through the whole board and often set up the next line for nothing.
• Keep both hands ready — the board is wide at 960 by 540, and a cursor parked in one corner costs you seconds on every move.
• Do not hunt the wizard — the spell is framing only, and nothing on the grid rewards you for anything other than lines of matching items.