Mahjong, Solitaire and Card Games Online
By the LetsPlayFree editors ·
Classic tile and card games are among the most relaxing things you can play in a browser. They need no downloads, make no demands on reflexes and give you something to think about. This guide covers free mahjong, solitaire, backgammon and card games we have reviewed, explains how each works and offers tips to help you play better.
Mahjong solitaire: matching tiles
The mahjong most people play online is mahjong solitaire. Tiles are stacked in a layout, and you remove two matching free tiles at a time until the board is clear. A tile is free when it is not covered and has an open left or right side. Mahjong Classic uses a level generator that guarantees every random layout has a solution, so each game is different and you never end up on an unwinnable board. Flower tiles count as matching.
Mahjong Unlimited generates endless levels of varying difficulty and lets you choose whether to play against a timer. Autumn Cottage Connect is a related connect-the-tiles puzzle in which you join identical tiles with a clear path while a timer runs, with Hint, Shuffle and Freeze Time boosters.
Mahjong tips
Free the tiles that unlock the most others first. Look at stacks and decide which layer to open, because releasing a tall stack gives you more choices than clearing singles. Before you remove a tile, check whether it is the last of its kind. If you remove a matching pair too early, you may leave a lone tile with no partner.
When there are several identical tiles, choose the pair that opens the most space. And do not rush: unless you are playing a timed mode, mahjong rewards patience.
Solitaire: from Klondike to variants
Solitaire covers dozens of games. The best known is Klondike, where you arrange all the cards into four piles by suit from Ace to King. Solitaire Klondike - Treasure Island is a pirate-themed Klondike. If you want variety, Solitaire The Collection bundles 33 variants. Among them are Klondike (you can draw one card or three), Spider (played with one, two or four suits), FreeCell and Pyramid, and you can choose a difficulty from a calm deal to a real puzzle.
Some games combine solitaire with a story. Solitaire Crime Stories follows journalist Lana Whitt and her assistant Bill through investigations in different locations. Emerland Solitaire sets card play in a magical country with a Knight and an Elven Archeress, and Solitaire Emperor - Secrets of Fate uses tarot-themed cards in levels where you remove all cards from the field.
Solitaire tips
In Klondike-style games, uncover hidden cards before anything else. A hidden card is a source of unknown information, and every one you reveal gives you more options. Build down in alternating colors, and avoid moving cards to the foundation too early if you may need them to build sequences. In games with an undo, use it to explore, but think before drawing from the stock.
Read the rules the first time you try a variant. Rules differ by mode, such as how foundations are built, and the in-game instructions explain them.
Backgammon and other classic games
Backgammon is a timeless strategy game in which you roll the dice and move your pieces to bear them off the board before your rival does. It combines luck and planning: you cannot control the dice, but you can control how you respond to them. A good habit is to protect single pieces and build blocks that stop your opponent’s progress.
4 Colors is a card-shedding game you play against up to three computer opponents. You match cards by color or number, draw when you cannot play and remember to call out Uno when you have a single card left. It is quick and familiar, and a good way to practice card-counting habits, such as noticing which colors are running out.
Word games with a card feel
Some word games borrow the structure of cards. Word Solitaire replaces playing cards with word cards and category cards, so you match words by meaning and discover hidden connections. Unite Words asks you to group four related words in a row and swap words between rows to complete sets, and some sets reveal new words when finished. They are good for players who like the calm of solitaire but want to exercise vocabulary.
Which one should you pick?
If you want something relaxing that you can pick up and put down, choose Mahjong Unlimited or Solitaire The Collection. If you like a story to carry you through, try Solitaire Crime Stories. If you want a head-to-head challenge with strategy, Backgammon or 4 Colors are the best fits.
Whichever you choose, play at your own pace. The great strength of these games is that they ask for thought rather than speed.
Frequently asked questions
Is every mahjong layout solvable?
Not in every game. Mahjong Classic specifically uses an algorithm so that every random layout has a solution.
What is the difference between mahjong and mahjong solitaire?
Traditional mahjong is a four-player game. The mahjong games online are usually solitaire versions where you match tiles to clear a board.
Which solitaire game has the most variety?
Solitaire The Collection offers 33 variants in one place.
Can I play these on a phone?
Yes. Most use taps or drags and work on desktop, tablet and phone.
Looking for more? Browse all reviewed games or the game collections.
