Mahjong Duels is a competitive multiplayer puzzle game that transforms the classic Chinese tile-matching experience into a fast-paced, 1v1 contest. Played entirely in your browser, this HTML5 game pits you against another player in a real-time race to clear an identical board of tiles.
Using your mouse, you'll need skill, strategy, and speed to win.
Victory in Mahjong Duels is straightforward: be the first player to clear all the tiles from your board. You and your opponent are given the exact same layout, making it a pure test of who can spot matches faster and plan more effectively.
A timer adds pressure to every match.
If the clock runs out before either player has cleared their board, the winner is decided by who has the fewest tiles remaining. This means every single match counts, even if you don't achieve a full clear.
Quick, successive matches will build momentum and put pressure on your opponent.
The game uses a standard Mahjong solitaire tile set. The key is to match identical pairs of "open" tiles-those not covered by another tile and free on either their left or right side. The tiles are divided into several groups.
The main suits are Bamboos, Dots, and Characters. You'll also find Honor tiles, which include the four Winds and three Dragons (Red, Green, and White).
Finally, there are Bonus tiles-Seasons and Flowers-which are special because any Season tile can be matched with another Season, and any Flower with another Flower.
To gain an edge in Mahjong Duels, you need to think a few steps ahead. Don't just make the most obvious match. Instead, prioritize matches that will unlock the most new tiles.
Look for tiles that are sitting on top of large stacks or are blocking multiple other pieces.
A good strategy is to work from the top down and the edges inward. Clearing the highest tiers first gives you more options below. If you see three identical, available tiles, pause and consider which pair to match.
Choose the one that opens up the most promising section of the board for your next move.
You can play Mahjong Duels directly in your web browser with no downloads or installations required. Because it's a browser-based HTML5 game, it works on most devices and can often be accessed on networks at school or work that might block other gaming sites.
Just load the page and start your next duel instantly.
The main goal in Mahjong Duels is to clear your entire board of tiles before your opponent does. It's a head-to-head race where both players start with identical layouts, making speed and strategy the keys to victory.
Controls are simple and intuitive. Use your mouse to navigate the board. To make a match, left click on an available tile, and then left click on its identical partner.
An available tile is one that is not covered by another tile and is open on its left or right side.
Each successful match removes the pair of tiles from your board, potentially revealing new tiles underneath. Continue making pairs as quickly as you can. The first player to clear their board wins the round.
If the timer runs out, the player with the fewest tiles left is declared the winner.
Scan the top layer - Always start by scanning the highest layer of tiles for easy matches. Clearing these first opens up the rest of the board. Prioritize tall stacks - If you have a choice, match tiles that are part of tall stacks.
Removing them will reveal more tiles at once. Look for pairs and triples - Before making a match, quickly scan for other identical tiles. If you see three, choose the pair that unblocks the most critical area.
Plan ahead - Don't just click the first match you see. Take a half-second to see what your move will uncover. A slightly slower but more strategic match is better than a fast, dead-end one.
Use hints wisely - If you're completely stuck, use a hint. But try to save them for when you genuinely can't see a move, as they are often limited.
