Butterfly Mahjong

Butterfly Mahjong spreads the 144 tiles into two wide wings joined by a narrow body. It is only three layers deep, and about 48 tiles are free when you start, which is far more than the Turtle. That makes it the best layout to learn on.

The rules are the same as every other layout. Click two free tiles with the same picture to remove them. A tile is free when nothing is on top of it and its left or right side is open.

How the layout is built

• The wings. Two mirrored shapes of 48 tiles each, seven tiles wide at the widest point and narrower at the tips.
• The body. Two columns of eight tiles down the middle, flat on the table.
• The second layer. A block of twelve tiles on each wing and four on the body.
• The top. Two tiles on each wing, free from the first move.

How to play it well

The wings are easy. The body is where games go wrong. Its two columns are pressed on both sides by the wings, so the body tiles only come free once you have cleared some of the inner wing columns.

• Open the body early. Take pairs from the wing columns next to the body in the first part of the game.
• Clear the raised blocks from the top down. They cover the best tiles on each wing.
• Save the wing tips. The outer columns stay free all game. Keep them for the end, when you need a spare move.

Is it easier than the Turtle?

Yes. With fewer layers, fewer tiles are hidden, and it is much easier to plan around tiles you can see. If you get stuck on the Turtle a lot, try a few rounds here. When it starts to feel easy, move on to Pyramid.