What makes a Mahjong tile free?
A tile is free when its top is uncovered and at least one of its left or right sides is open. Matching symbols alone do not make a legal move. Both tiles mus
Two checks before every match
A tile is free when its top is uncovered and at least one of its left or right sides is open. Matching symbols alone do not make a legal move. Both tiles must pass those checks.
Start with the exposed edges and upper layers. Select one free tile, then find another free tile with the same face. An outlined tile is your current selection; selecting it again clears the selection.
Look at the space you will open
Before removing a pair, look underneath and beside it. A pair that releases another tile can create more options than a pair that leaves the same blocked area behind. There is no universal best move: the remaining stack matters.
Use Hint in practice when the board is hard to read. It shows a legal pair and makes that game practice-only. Try the rules guide, then return to the board and identify three free tiles before matching anything.