Turtle Mahjong· CardHearth
How to play, tips & FAQ
The classic Turtle, every board solvable
This is Mahjong Solitaire as you know it: the 144-tile Turtle in five layers. Tap two matching free tiles — nothing on top, a left or right side open — to clear them, and dismantle the whole turtle. Flowers match any flower and seasons any season; everything else matches its exact twin.
Strategy
Work top-down and outside-in: the apex tile and the long row-ends unlock the most beneath them. When three or four copies of a kind are free at once, take the pair that frees the biggest stacks. Peel layered piles early so you never strand a matching pair on top of itself — and remember undo is unlimited, since the board is always winnable.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Turtle layout?
The Turtle is the original, best-known Mahjong Solitaire formation: 144 tiles stacked into five layers shaped like a turtle. It is the layout most people picture when they think of Mahjong Solitaire.
Is every Turtle board winnable?
Yes. CardHearth builds each board by reverse construction — laying pairs into the formation in a solvable order — so a winning path always exists. If you get stuck, undo a few moves and choose a different pair.
Which tiles can I match?
Any two free tiles of the same kind. A tile is free when nothing rests on top of it and one long side (left or right) is open. Flowers match any flower, seasons match any season.
Want a different shape? Mahjong offers eight layouts — Cross, Pyramid, Fortress and more.