6 Games Like Mahjong to Play

Guest Contributor: Tim K.

Has a rousing round (or five) of the tile-based classic Mahjong awakened in you a mighty hunger to find similar games? Or are you a newbie to Mahjong simply looking to scope out the field for similar titles before you get too immersed in the action?

In either case, let us lay down some helpful context for you with a broader look at games similar to Mahjong, from traditional card and tile games to newer variations on this beloved Chinese pastime that has spread like wildfire throughout the rest of the world.

Before we dig into Arkadium’s selection of games like Mahjong, which are designed with plenty of fun and new twists, let us first take a tour through tile and card game history. Rummy, anyone?

While Mahjong is undoubtedly one of a kind in several ways, the ability to create special hands, the round-based play, and the “draw-and-discard” mechanic are not unique to Mahjong alone. The following card- and tile-based games involve one or more of these traits as well.

Of the many games likened to Mahjong by seasoned game vets, the “rummy family” probably gets the most mentions. In Gin Rummy, players are dealt ten cards to start. Play proceeds in a turn-based fashion, and each player can choose to either draw from the stockpile or discard pile.

Just like Mahjong, the objective of Gin Rummy is to create melds or specific hands with your cards. Cards that are not melded are considered “deadwood,” which, just like points in golf, is a number that you want to be as low as possible. At the end of the hand, the player with the lowest amount of deadwood wins the round. While Gin Rummy diverges from Mahjong in scoring, the “hand-building,” draw-and-discard, and round-based elements are all similar.

Originating in the Philippines and heavily popularized in early 20th-century California, Panguingue (or “Pan”) is high on the list of games similar to Mahjong for a few reasons. In Panguingue, players draw and discard tiles from the stockpile or discard pile with the objective of creating a winning hand.

Like Mahjong, Panguingue players search for “melds,” or specific groups of tiles that are identical, consecutive numbers, or otherwise related. Also like Mahjong, there are specific rules about which hand can win a round, and after each round, points are tabulated towards an overall total. However, Pan can be played with two to eight players, while classic Mahjong is typically limited to four.

Transitioning back from tiles to cards, Canasta is a card game that requires players to make melds of at least three cards that share the same rank. Achieving a meld of seven cards or greater is called a canasta.

While Canasta is typically played with teams of two and is also different from Mahjong in the number of cards drawn each turn (2, not 1), many of the other elements are similar. Players take turns to build melds, swap cards in and out as necessary, and race to the winning hand. Earn 5,000 points cumulatively, and you win.

Finally, Okey is basically the Turks’ take on tile-based rummy. Many beginners favor it over the rummy and/or Mahjong family who are looking for a more straightforward game to learn. In this four-player game, each player (moving in a clockwise fashion from the dealer) can either draw a tile from the discard pile or the bank, with the intention of creating a winning hand.

Typically, the number and complexity of hands required to win is less involved in Okey than with Mahjong and other rummy games. Building a hand that consists of 3- and 4-tile sets and runs will do the trick unless you can manage seven pairs—that’s bragging rights.

Rummikub combines elements of Mahjong and rummy into an engaging tile-based game. Players take turns creating runs or sets of numbers, strategically placing and rearranging tiles to form valid combinations. The first player to use all their tiles wins, making Rummikub a dynamic and strategic alternative to Mahjong.

A classic single-player tile-matching game, Shanghai Solitaire plays similarly to Mahjong Solitaire but features unique layouts and challenging patterns. Players must clear the board by matching pairs of free tiles, making strategic choices to avoid dead ends. With multiple difficulty levels and layouts, Shanghai Solitaire is a great alternative for Mahjong fans looking for a fresh challenge.

With all due reverence and respect to the timeless classic that is Mahjong, our team at Arkadium couldn’t help but add our own flavor. If you’re looking for popular online Mahjong games with a twist that can be played solo, then we’ve got you covered with a full selection of fresh takes on this epic game.

What would happen if all those tiles levitated off the table, formed a cube, and challenged you to match them before time ran out? That’s what Mahjongg Dimensions is like—an adventurous yet familiar fever dream for those who already know and love Mahjong.

Here’s how it works: turn the cube around to search all the tiles, match pairs of tiles that are unblocked on at least one side (left or right), score as many points as possible, and beat the clock! Once you clear the cube, it’s on to the next level, where tougher challenges await.

Tabletop or online, every gamer knows that ambience makes or breaks the experience. If you’re in a more mellow or even mischievous mood, Mahjongg Dark Dimensions puts out a haunting yet chill vibe with a more mysterious background and music selection. Plus, the tiles look like symbols of a long-lost dark art. Quite mysterious!

As for gameplay, like standard Mahjong Dimensions, you are tasked each level with matching up unblocked tiles before the timer runs out. See those “time” blocks? Match them to pad the clock and stay alive—figuratively speaking, of course…

Moving in a decidedly perkier direction now, Mahjongg Dimensions Candy is sure to make sweet tooths salivate, thanks to all the gumdrops, bonbons, and other delights gleaming back at you from the tiles. Giant lollipops and gummy bears in the backdrop aren’t doing the cravings any favors, either.

In Mahjongg Dimensions Candy, you can enjoy the same level-based, time-crunched matching action as the above games, all with a 3D block of tiles to navigate. Just make sure you don’t approach this one hungry.

Finally, Mahjongg Dimensions Blast is seriously amping up the action with a new and thrilling mechanic: the blast meter. Carefully comb over the 3D block of tiles, make matches quickly, and watch that meter grow. Once you build it all the way, stand back and wait for the BOOM—your matches will literally explode!

Another thing that sets this 3D Mahjong game apart is the boosts. Choose from over a dozen boosts to transform your experience and get ahead, from Speedy Charge (charge the blast meter faster) to Hot Summer (adds 2 fire blast tiles) and much more. Mahjongg Dimensions Blast is definitely for the gamer who loves intense action.

If you’re feeling torn about which next-gen Mahjong game to play, why not just tour all of them? At Arkadium, all of our browser-based, no-download games are completely free and waiting for you to master.

Speaking of, our one ask is that you don’t hoard all that hard-earned wisdom to yourself. Share your top strategies in the comments and take part in our community. When you’re ready to move on, we’ve got hundreds of Retro Games, Car Games, Word Games, and more just waiting for someone to come and play.