Welcome to Mahjong Domains!

Mahjong is a complex game with many regional variations, but I’ll provide a general overview of the rules that are common to most forms of the game. This will include the objective, setup, gameplay, and scoring.

Objective

The goal of mahjong is to be the first player to complete a legal hand by drawing and discarding tiles to form specific combinations. A legal hand typically consists of four sets (Pung, Chow, or Kong) and a pair.

Setup

Tiles: A standard set consists of 136 or 144 tiles, including suits, honors, and bonus tiles.

Players: The game is usually played by four players.

Walls: The tiles are shuffled face down, and each player builds a wall of tiles two tiles high and 18 or 19 tiles long.

Dealer: One player is designated as the dealer (East Wind). The dealer position rotates counterclockwise after each hand.

Drawing Tiles: Players draw 13 tiles each (the dealer draws an extra tile to have 14).

Gameplay

Starting the Game: The dealer starts by discarding one tile, aiming to make sets and pairs.

Turns: Play continues counterclockwise. On each turn, a player draws a tile (from the wall or the discard pile) and then discards one tile.

Forming Sets: Pung: A set of three identical tiles. Chow: A sequence of three consecutive tiles in the same suit (only in open hands). Kong: A set of four identical tiles. Pair: Two identical tiles.

Calling Tiles: Pung and Kong: If a player discards a tile that another player can use to complete a Pung or Kong, the other player can claim it out of turn. Chow: Can only be claimed from the previous player’s discard.

Winning: A player wins by forming a complete hand of 14 tiles, consisting of four sets and a pair.

Scoring

Scoring varies significantly between different versions of mahjong, but here are some common elements:

Basic Points: Points are awarded for winning hands, and additional points may be given for specific tile combinations and patterns.

Special Hands: Some combinations and patterns grant bonus points, such as having all Pungs, all Chows, or using certain honor tiles.

Settling Scores: After a win, points are calculated based on the winning hand and paid out by the other players. The dealer may receive or pay double points.

Variations

Different versions of mahjong (e.g., Chinese, Hong Kong, Japanese, American) have their unique rules and scoring systems. American mahjong, for instance, uses a card with pre-defined winning hands, and Japanese mahjong includes elements like riichi (ready hand) and dora (bonus tiles).

Key Terms

Draw: Taking a tile from the wall.

Discard: Placing a tile in the center of the table.

Call: Claiming a discard to complete a set.

Mahjong: Declaring a winning hand.

Tile Efficiency

Build Flexible Hands: Focus on creating flexible hands that can adapt to various draws and discards. Avoid committing too early to a specific hand structure.

Avoid Single Waits: Try to avoid hands that depend on a single tile to complete, as they are harder to achieve.

Discarding Wisely

Discard Safely: Be mindful of what other players might need. Discard tiles that are less likely to be useful to them.

Observe Discards: Pay attention to the tiles that other players discard. This can give you clues about their hands and what tiles are safe to discard.

Reading Opponents

Watch for Patterns: Look for patterns in your opponents’ discards and draws. This can help you predict their strategies and adjust yours accordingly.

Prevent Opponents’ Wins: Discard tiles strategically to block your opponents from completing their hands.

Hand Building

Prioritize High-Value Hands: Aim to build hands that score higher points, such as hands with more complex combinations or special patterns.

Balance Speed and Value: While high-value hands are important, sometimes it’s better to go for a faster, simpler hand to win quickly.

Dealing with Honor and Bonus Tiles

Use Honor Tiles Wisely: Honor tiles can be valuable, but they can also clog up your hand. Keep them if you can form a set or use them in scoring combinations.

Bonus Tiles: If your version of mahjong uses flower or season tiles, use them to your advantage by incorporating them into your strategy for extra points.

Defensive Play

Fold When Necessary: If an opponent is close to winning and your hand is weak, consider folding (playing defensively) to minimize potential point loss.

Avoid Risky Discards: When an opponent appears close to winning, avoid discarding tiles that might complete their hand.

Endgame Strategy

Be Cautious: As the game nears the end, be more cautious with your discards. The risk of completing an opponent’s hand increases.

Push for Mahjong: If you are close to completing your hand, consider taking calculated risks to win before your opponents.

Using Joker Tiles (if applicable)

Leverage Jokers: In versions of mahjong that include jokers, use them strategically to complete your sets, but be aware that they can’t be used in all situations.

Keeping a Balanced Hand

Mix Suits and Honors: Try to keep a balanced hand with a mix of suits and honors. This gives you more options as the game progresses.

Adaptability: Be ready to change your strategy based on the tiles you draw and the discards you observe.

Practicing

Play Regularly: Regular practice helps you recognize patterns, improve your strategic thinking, and develop a better understanding of the game dynamics.

Analyze Your Games: After playing, review your games to understand what worked and what didn’t. Learn from your mistakes and successes.

By incorporating these strategies, you can improve your mahjong skills and increase your chances of winning.