Mahjong Solitaire Pyramid Mahjong
Pyramid Mahjong
Pyramid Mahjong stacks the 144 tiles into four tiers, each set inside the one below. There is no tail and no wings, just a solid block that you take apart from the outside in.
It is the plainest layout on the site. Nothing is hidden by an odd shape. Tiles are hidden only because something is sitting on them.
How the layout is built
- Tier one: 80 tiles, ten wide and eight deep.
- Tier two: 48 tiles, one tile in from every edge.
- Tier three: 12 tiles in the middle.
- Tier four: 4 tiles at the top.
How to play it well
Only the left and right edges of each tier are free. That gives the game a clear rhythm. You have plenty of moves at first, it gets tight in the middle as the tiers narrow, then it opens up again once the top tiers are gone.
- Take the top four straight away. They are all free and they cover the tier below.
- Work both edges. Taking a tile from the left edge frees only its neighbour. Working left and right at the same time opens twice as much.
- Watch your pairs. The classic Pyramid dead end is two copies of a tile buried in tier one while you used the other two early. If you can see all four, think before you match.
How hard is it?
Harder than Butterfly, easier than Dragon, and about level with the classic Turtle. If you like the tiered shape, Fortress takes the same idea to five levels.
Try another layout
Every layout uses the same 144 tiles and the same rules. The shape is what changes, and the shape decides how hard the game is.
Mahjong SolitaireClassic The classic 144-tile board. Five layers, a long tail at each end. 
Butterfly MahjongEasy Two open wings and a thin body. The friendliest board to learn on. 
Garden MahjongRelaxed Four small courtyards that never block each other. Quick and calm. 
Pyramid MahjongMedium Four tiers stacked into a solid block. Peel it from the edges. 
Dragon MahjongHard Long and low with a tall ridge down the middle. 
Fortress MahjongHard Five walls, one inside the next. The hardest board here. Questions people ask
How is Pyramid Mahjong different?
The tiles are stacked in four rectangular tiers, each one smaller than the one below. Tiles are hidden only by what sits on top of them, and only the outer edges of each tier are free.
Why do I keep running out of moves?
Usually because a pair was used too early. If two copies of a tile are free and the other two are buried in the middle of a tier, matching the free two leaves the buried two with no partner.
Is Pyramid Mahjong the same as Pyramid Solitaire?
No. Pyramid Solitaire is a card game where you remove pairs that add up to 13. Pyramid Mahjong is Mahjong Solitaire on a pyramid-shaped board.
Is it free?
Yes, free in your browser with no download or account.
More free games from us
Klondike, FreeCell, Spider and five more card games.
Coming soonSix levels, pencil marks and endless new puzzles.
Coming soonThe classic race game against four computer levels.
Coming soonBeginner to Master boards, with a no-guess mode.
Coming soon