Mahjong Solitaire
Mahjong Solitaire is a popular game of tiles played widely on computers. The game is known in several
alternate names like Shanghai solitaire, electronic or computerized mahjong, MahJong solitaire and
solitaire Mahjong. Mahjong Solitaire was developed as a computer game by Brodie Lockard in 1981.
According to Lockard the game was conceptualized on the basis of the age-old Chinese game called ‘the
Turtle’. There were several modifications made in the game. It was not before 1986, that the game got
its actual fame.
Mahjong Solitaire is played with 144 tiles. The tiles are set in a 4-layer pattern with the tiles facing up.
While the game is played, tiles are considered open i.e. they can be moved to the right or left without
disturbing any other tile. The game is all about matching open pairs of identical tiles and removing them
from the playing board. As the tiles get removed the underlying tiles get exposed for further playing.
The game comes to an end when there are no open or exposed tiles remaining to be paired and all pairs
have been removed.
Variations
Mahjong Solitaire is played as a physical game of tiles. With the advent of computers it has been widely
adapted as a known computer game. There are some additions made on the gaming options in order to
make the game more flexible and enjoyable. Some of them are:
- The tile sets can be changed to make them easier and match-worthy. Traditional tiles have made way for flowers, jewels and similar items that make for good matches at after having a glance at them.
- Levels have been added to the game. The games including levels have added to the difficulty of the game. This has added much interest and growth into the game. Players get to challenge themselves each time they play the game which increases competition in the game.
- Several layouts have been added. They can be altered as and when required by players.
- Added options like ‘wildcard tiles’ increase the intensity of the game. There are various other options brought into the game to make it wide and varying.
- Hints and cheating options have been included in the games. These make the game easier to play and predictable after one point of time.
- Time limits added to some games make the player more competitive than usual. Playing the game in a time frame and deadlines add to the interest level of the game.
- Players can undo previous moves. This helps in finding and pairing up matches faster and easier.
- Variations and innovations made to the game are done in such a manner that the game becomes solvable. The tile arrangements and the basic structures in the game are altered in such a way as to make the players solve the puzzle and win the game with fast and calculated moves.
Mahjong Solitaire is played solo and with a partner in some cases. While playing with a partner the game involves gathering as many points by making most number of matching pairs to accumulate maximum points. Players get points for removing pairs. Sequential removal of pairs makes bonus points. Mahjong Solitaire is greatly enjoyed by online users. There are several versions added to the already existing ones to make the game enter better gaming territories.