Great Wall Mahjong Online: Rules and Game Features
Great Wall Mahjong is a version of Mahjong Solitaire. This game uses the tiles and figures of the traditional Chinese game, and the gameplay involves matching identical tiles until the board is cleared.
In this version, the difference is that tiles are displayed in the Great Wall layout. This distribution emulates a tower of the Great Wall of China, adding an extra layer of difficulty to the classic game.
Tiles must be free to make the matches. This means they must not be locked by other tiles above or on their sides. The tile is considered free and available to match if at least one side is open. The game ends when the board is cleared.
4 Key Rules in Great Wall Mahjong Online
Although Great Wall Mahjong is more difficult than beginner boards, the same principles apply. Let’s outline the four key principles of this board type.
1. Match Only Free Tiles
The first key rule of Mahjong is to match only available tiles. A free or available tile must have at least one of its sides uncovered, with no tiles above it. This is especially important in the Great Wall because most tiles are stacked on top of each other in the center of the board.
2. Tiles Follow a Great Wall Formation
The center of the formation has at least five rows of tiles stacked up. On the sides, there are up to four tiles stacked. To solve the puzzle, players should go top to bottom, layer by layer, unlocking inner and lower sections. Otherwise, players will quickly run out of combinations and lose.
3. The Game Ends When All Tiles Are Cleared
Like the classic Mahjong Solitaire game, players must match all the tiles and clear the board to win. Players should carefully plan every move to unlock as many tiles as possible, especially in the center. When there are no visible or accessible tiles, you’ve beaten the game.
4. Invalid Moves Are Not Allowed
Great Wall Mahjong prevents players from making impossible moves. The game highlights available tiles when players hover the cursor over them. Additionally, the game doesn’t let players make invalid moves, such as matching non-identical or locked tiles.
Basic Strategies for Great Wall Mahjong Online
Now that the rules are clear, it’s time to move on to some basic strategies for the Great Wall puzzles. Here are some common ways to navigate the layout to match all the tiles and clear the board.
Start from the Edges and Top Layers
The most common strategy is working your way from the top and the edges to the center and the bottom. This strategy fits any Mahjong Solitaire layout, not only the Great Wall. This strategy is reliable and effective because it focuses on the easily available tiles, gradually removing layer after layer.
Focus on Removing Blocking Tiles
After a few games, beginners notice that some tiles block off entire sections of the board. Players learn to find such blockers quickly and focus on them first. This strategy opens more options and helps avoid getting stuck early.
Watch for Duplicate Pairs Before Matching
Just because players can only remove tile pairs doesn’t mean that there can’t be more than two identical tiles. Such duplicates can often make or break a game if the player removes them too early, locking them out of future moves. Think ahead and don’t immediately match pairs. Always check if there are more than two duplicates first.
Test the Game Mechanics in Great Wall Mahjong Online!
Great Wall Mahjong is a great challenge for players who can clear beginner boards with ease. The tiles are stacked in a distinct “tower” shape, with “wall” sections on the sides. As long as you remember the rules and common strategies, you should have no problem solving this layout.
Clear layer after layer methodically, paying attention to blocking tiles that open entire sections of the board, and multiple duplicates that can be saved for later. Plan ahead, scan the board before making a move, and avoid locking yourself out of options. Good luck and have fun.