Photon Mahjong uses the classic Mahjong Solitaire idea: select two identical free tiles to remove them. The symbols are traditional Chinese tile designs, but you do not need to know Mahjong rules or tile names. You only need to recognize matching faces and understand which pieces are available.
What makes a tile free
A tile can be selected when nothing covers it and at least one long side is open. If another tile blocks both the left and right sides, that tile must wait. A bright selectable state helps confirm the rule, but I still recommend reading the shape of the stack before tapping.
Do not remove every visible pair immediately
Two matching tiles may both be free, but that does not automatically make them the best pair. First look at what each removal will expose. A pair that opens two covered stacks usually creates more options than a pair sitting alone at the edge.
Protect rare matches
When several copies of the same face are visible, try to avoid leaving two blocked copies under the same section. Match the copies that expose different parts of the board. This keeps the remaining pair reachable later.
Read the stack from the top down
The first chapters use more balanced shapes so the free-tile rule is easy to learn. Later layouts add layers and asymmetry. Chapter 4 deliberately shifts the stacks out of a neat mirrored pattern. I made that change because it encourages real visual searching instead of automatic left-to-right matching.
Use the hint as a reset for your eyes
A hint does not solve the whole board. It points to one available pair. If you have stared at the same section for too long, use it, watch which sides were actually open, and then scan the newly exposed tiles. The light effect is feedback, but the important information is the change in the stack.
