Banana Mahjong Solitaire

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About the Banana Layout

The Banana layout is a long, graceful crescent, a curved arc of tiles that tapers to a point at one end and finishes with a small stem nub at the other. Unlike the rounded, filled-in food boards, the banana is mostly a sweeping ribbon two or three tiles wide that follows the fruit's signature bend from tip to stem. Because it is long and thin rather than packed and deep, almost every tile sits near an outer edge of the curve, giving the whole board an airy, open character. Lined up next to a pear or a loaf, the banana is the elegant, drawn-out outlier of the bunch.

This is an easy, relaxing board at two out of five. The slim crescent shape means free tiles are everywhere along both the inner and outer edges of the arc, so you rarely run short of moves. The mild challenge comes from the curve itself: as you clear the wide middle, the two tapered ends can become little dead-end spurs that you have to remember to feed from the right direction. It is a low-stress, satisfying solve, ideal when you want the rhythm of clearing tiles without much risk of getting truly stuck.

Difficulty: Medium (2/5) | Tiles: 60

How to Clear the Banana Layout

Open the board at the two ends. The tapered tip and the stem nub are the narrowest points of the crescent, and tiles there are exposed on multiple sides, so they come off easily and start unzipping the arc inward from both directions. Working from the ends toward the middle is more reliable than starting in the center, because the ends are where tiles can otherwise get stranded later.

Along the long body, alternate between the outer and inner edges of the curve. The convex outer edge and the concave inner edge each present a row of tiles that are free on one side, and tackling both keeps the ribbon thinning evenly rather than leaving a lopsided wall. Where the banana bends most sharply, the inner edge bunches up, so give that inner curve a little extra attention to stop it from clogging.

The crux on a banana board is depth in the thickest stretch of the arc, usually the broad middle where it briefly runs three tiles deep. Treat that section in short columns, lifting the top tiles so the ones beneath become reachable, and keep one spot open as your way into the lower layer. Because the board is so linear, you generally have a clear view of what matches what, so plan a pair or two ahead to avoid burying a tile you will soon need.

In the endgame you are usually clearing the last segment of the curve, often near one of the tapered ends where access narrows. Save a few flexible matches, and remember that flowers match any flower and seasons match any season, which makes those special tiles perfect for breaking a tight spot at the tip. If the final stretch deadlocks, Shuffle re-deals the remaining tiles into a solvable arrangement.

The Story Behind the Banana Layout

The banana is the friendliest fruit in the bowl, instantly recognizable from its bright color and that distinctive curve, which actually comes from the fruit growing upward toward the sun. That bend is the entire reason it makes such a charming Mahjong shape: a straight banana would just be a boring bar of tiles, but the crescent gives the board flow and personality, an arc your eye follows naturally from tip to stem.

It is also one of the few foods defined almost entirely by its outline rather than its bulk, which is why it translates into such an open, breezy layout. There is no heavy core to dig out, just a long sweeping curve to peel apart, and that makes the banana a perfect palate cleanser of a board, light and quick between heavier, denser challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Banana an easy Mahjong layout?

Yes. At two out of five it is one of the most relaxed boards. The thin crescent shape keeps nearly every tile near an open edge, so free matches are plentiful and you almost never run completely out of moves.

Where is the best place to start on the Banana board?

Start at the two ends, the tapered tip and the stem nub. They are the narrowest points and their tiles are exposed on several sides, so they come off easily and let you unzip the arc inward from both directions, which prevents tiles from getting stranded at the ends later.

How do I handle the curve of the banana?

Alternate between the outer convex edge and the inner concave edge so the ribbon thins evenly. Pay extra attention to the inner edge where the fruit bends most sharply, since tiles bunch up there and that bend is the spot most likely to clog.

Can flowers and seasons help on this layout?

Absolutely. Flowers match any flower and seasons match any season, so they are wildcards within their groups. Save them for the tapered ends of the banana, where access narrows in the endgame, and use them to break open a tight final spot.

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