The best match is not always the obvious match
When several pairs are available, the quickest-looking choice is not necessarily the strongest. Mahjong Solitaire is about access. A pair is valuable when removing it frees additional tiles, exposes a lower layer or opens the blocked side of an important tile.
Prioritise tiles that block other tiles
High tiles and edge-blocking tiles influence more of the board than already-exposed outer tiles. If one match removes two easy edge tiles while another uncovers a buried group, the second match usually creates more options.
Think vertically as well as horizontally: the Turtle rises through five layers, so a tile sitting on top of another is a direct lock. The single top tile and the projecting wing tiles can be especially valuable early releases.
When four matching tiles are visible, choose the pair
With duplicate symbols, you may have more than one legal way to form a pair. Compare what each pairing releases before clicking. Remove the two copies that free the most constrained part of the layout and leave the easier copies for later.
Keep options open
Every removal changes the set of free tiles. After taking a pair, pause and rescan rather than immediately clicking the next match you noticed earlier. The new opening may have created a better move.
Work on layers and sides together
Focusing only on the top layer can leave the sides locked; focusing only on outer edges can leave the centre pinned from above. Good play alternates between the two: remove upper blockers, then use the new side openings they create.
Use the Daily Challenge to compare routes
A dated Daily Challenge is useful because you can restart the same board and test a different order of matches. If one route stalls, pay attention to the first point where you chose between two legal pairs. That decision is often more important than the final few moves.