Boards

Board Layouts

Every game uses all 144 tiles, but the shape of the stack changes how tiles block each other. Pick a layout in the menu before you press Play.

• Turtle (classic) The traditional Mahjong Solitaire pyramid—wide base, layers stepping inward, a familiar silhouette. Best for learning and balanced sessions. Most players start here.
• Castle Higher central stacks and stronger side towers. More tiles hide under peaks, so top-down play matters. Good when you want a sturdier challenge without changing the rules.
• Duncher A compact, dense formation with fewer obvious open lanes at the start. Pairs can dry up quickly if you clear the wrong suit early. Recommended after you are comfortable with Turtle.

Choosing a layout

• New players – Turtle.
• Chasing a fast time – Turtle or Castle once you know the shape.
• Maximum challenge – Duncher.

Personal bests

TapMahjong stores your best time per layout in the browser (local storage). Switching layouts does not mix scores—each board has its own record to beat.

Strategy per shape

Turtle

Clear the highest point of the shell first, then work the long rows on the middle layer.

Castle

Attack tall towers early; leaving two towers side by side often traps the valley between them.

Duncher

Prioritise moves that open two or more tiles. Avoid spending both copies of a rare honour before the centre opens.