Question 1

Is the Flag layout a good choice for beginners?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is one of the more approachable boards at two out of five. The long pole means most tiles start out free and matchable, so you spend very little time hunting for a legal move. The only genuinely tricky region is the stacked banner at the top, and even that is small, making the Flag an ideal place to learn how layered tiles uncover one another without much risk of getting stuck.

Question 2

What should I clear first on the Flag board?

Accepted Answer

Begin with the foot of the pole and the outer waving edge of the banner. The pole tiles are nearly all open from the start and act as a flexible reserve, while peeling the banner from its trailing edge inward steadily uncovers the tiles hidden beneath the cloth. Save a few easy pole matches to use when junction tiles between the pole and banner finally open up.

Question 3

Why do some banner tiles refuse to be selected even though I can see them?

Accepted Answer

A tile can only be chosen when it has a free left or right side and no tile resting on top of it. In the banner, the upper layer of cloth covers the tiles below, so those lower tiles stay locked until you remove the ones above them. Work down through the stacked area evenly rather than digging one deep hole, and the covered tiles will free up in turn.

Question 4

Can the Flag layout ever become unsolvable?

Accepted Answer

No. Every board is generated by working backward from a finished, solved layout, so a complete solution always exists. If you do reach a point where no legal matches remain among the leftover tiles, press the Shuffle button to re-deal them into a fresh, still-solvable arrangement. With careful play and the occasional wildcard flower or season match, the Flag can always be cleared.