Star Layout

About This Layout

A six-pointed star with tiles at each point and a layered center. The Star layout uses 144 tiles arranged in 6 layers with a unique shape that challenges your spatial reasoning and pattern matching skills.

This layout is rated Medium difficulty, making it suitable for intermediate players looking for a moderate challenge.

Strategy Guide

Star points have the most exposed tiles — match those first. The center is heavily stacked.

Remember the golden rules: always look for tiles on the highest layer first, keep track of which tiles have been matched, and avoid exposing identical tiles that are stacked directly on top of each other.

Layout Strategy & Tips

Here is expanded content for the Star Layout (6 layers, Easy difficulty). This guide is designed for players looking to understand the unique geometry of this radial puzzle.

--- Visual & Structural Distinctiveness

The Star Layout is one of the most visually satisfying Mahjong Solitaire configurations. Unlike traditional rectangular or pyramid stacks, this layout is built on radial symmetry. The Core: The layout is centered on a dense, multi-layered hexagonal or octagonal "hub" (the star's center). From this hub, six distinct "points" or "arms" extend outward like a starfish or a compass rose. Layered Depth: With 6 layers, the center hub is quite tall. However, the arms are typically only 1–3 layers thick, tapering as they reach the edge of the playing field. This creates a "mountain peak" in the middle with gentle slopes leading away. The "Halo" Effect: Because the arms are separated by empty space (the gaps between the star points), the layout often appears to have a "halo" of free tiles around the outer edge. This illusion of openness is deceptive—the real challenge is buried in the center. Color Palette: Due to the radial design, matching tiles often requires you to look across the entire board, not just adjacent areas. You will frequently match a tile from the "North" arm with a tile from the "Southwest" arm. Specific Tile Clusters & Trouble Spots

Despite the "Easy" rating, the Star Layout has specific traps. The Central "Buried" Pair: The absolute center of the hub (layer 6) contains a single tile. This tile is completely surrounded and blocked by the 5th layer. This is the most dangerous tile in the game. If you cannot free it, you will lose. You must systematically remove the surrounding layers to reach it. The "Spoke" Junctions: Where the arms meet the hub (typically layers 3–4), tiles are stacked in a tight cluster. These tiles are often blocked on three sides (left, right, and top). A common mistake is to clear the outer arm tiles too quickly, leaving these junction tiles isolated and unplayable. The "False Freedom" of the Arms: The tips of the star points are usually free (unblocked left and right). These are tempting first picks. However, if you clear an entire arm too early, you may remove the "support" tiles needed to unlock a matching pair deep inside the hub. The "Mirror" Trap: Because the layout is symmetrical, you will often see two identical tiles directly opposite each other on different arms. They look free, but one might be blocked by a tile from an adjacent arm. Always check the vertical stack above a tile, not just

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