Q&A for How to Play Mahjong

In Japanese or Chinese mahjong, yes, you may pick a tile any opponent discarded. If several people call the tile, mahjong takes priority over kan, pong or chi, and the player to the left of the discardee takes priority when more than one player calls mahjong (or ron in Japanese mahjong).

No, you do not.

It is not possible for two players to play Mahjong by the standard rules. It requires four players.

You typically need all four seasons or flowers to form a meld. However, some variations or house rules may allow for flexibility. Clarify the specific rules with all players before the game starts.

Tiles are typically referred to by their specific names based on suit, rank, or type. Common tile names include Characters (Numbers), Bamboos (Sticks), Circles (Dots), Winds (East, South, West, North), Dragons (Red, Green, White), and sometimes Flowers and Seasons in certain versions.

If you are playing a variant where you collect tiles of just one suit, such as Pure Straight or All Chows, it is customary to announce when you are near the end of your hand. This signals to other players that you are close to winning and gives them a chance to adjust their strategy. However, whether you must announce depends on the specific rules or customs of the game you are playing.

Yes, in Mahjong you can pick up a discarded tile to complete a sequence or set. If the discarded tile completes a valid combination in your hand, you can claim it to finish your hand, adding strategy and opportunity to the game.

The playing pieces ("tiles") come in different types: suit tiles include Characters, Bamboos, and Circles, numbered 1 through 9. Honor tiles consist of Winds (East, South, West, North) and Dragons (Red, Green, White). Some variants also include Bonus tiles, such as Flowers and Seasons.

A pair can consist of any two identical tiles, not just winds. While winds are common pairs, you can also form pairs with other tiles, such as numbers or dragons. To complete a winning hand, you need a pair along with other combinations like pungs or chows. Be sure to check the specific rules of the Mahjong variant you are playing.

Point checkers, also known as scoring sticks or counters, are used in Mahjong to track players' scores. They're not strictly necessary, but they help tally points and determine round outcomes. You can use alternatives like pen and paper or a digital system, but point checkers offer a traditional and convenient scoring method.

In traditional Mahjong, dice are not typically used during gameplay. However, there are variations, such as Mahjong dice games or Mahjong solitaire, where dice may be incorporated. Standard Mahjong is tile-based, focusing on drawing and discarding tiles, forming combinations, and completing a hand according to the rules of the specific variant.

Yes. While the most common version is for four players, there are variants designed for three. The rules and scoring may be adjusted, but the basic mechanics and objectives remain the same.

You are correct. In traditional Mahjong, the wind positions are arranged counterclockwise starting with East, then South, West, and North. So, the North wind is indeed to the right of the East wind.

In traditional Mahjong, the wind positions are arranged in a counterclockwise direction, with the South wind positioned to the right of the East wind.

A standard Mahjong set consists of 144 tiles, divided into suit tiles (character, bamboo, and circle/dot), honor tiles (winds and dragons), and bonus tiles (flowers and seasons).

Yes, you can pick up a discarded tile from the player before you if it completes a valid combination in your hand, even if you have only one tile to match it. As long as the discarded tile completes a valid sequence or set in your hand, you can claim it. However, if the discarded tile doesn't complete a valid combination, you must draw from the wall instead.

The dragons correspond to specific suits as follows: the Red Dragon (Hong Zhong) is often associated with the character suit; the Green Dragon (Fa Cai) with the bamboo suit; and the White Dragon (Bai Ban) with the circle suit. This can vary depending on regional or house rules.

When you draw a tile from the wall and form a Kong, you must still discard a tile from your hand after declaring the Kong. Forming a Kong does not exempt you from the normal rules of drawing and discarding tiles, and you must maintain a hand of 13 tiles.

Yes, in some variations of Mahjong, you can have a pung (three of a kind) and a kong (four of a kind) of different suits in your hand. However, this depends on the specific rules being followed. In some rule sets, combinations like this may be allowed, while in others, they may not be permitted. Clarify the rules of the Mahjong variant being played to understand what combinations are allowed and how they affect gameplay.

In Mahjong, once you take a discarded tile to play, you cannot change your mind and return it. You are committed to using it in your hand and must discard a different tile at the end of your turn.

Draw a replacement tile from the wall or dead wall to maintain the total number of tiles in your hand.

The minimum age may vary depending on the type of mahjong. Mahjong solitaire can be played by children as young as 3 years old, while classical mahjong might be more suitable for those around 14 years old due to its complexity.

Yes, in Mahjong, you can only pick up a discarded tile for a chow if it is from the player to your left, following the game's counterclockwise order of play.

To play three-person Chinese Mahjong, remove one suit, such as Bamboos or Dots, to reduce the tile count. Build the wall and distribute 13 tiles to each player. Skip the North wind or rotate the dealer among the three players. Follow standard Mahjong rules to form sets and complete a hand with 14 tiles. Adjust scoring by dividing penalties between two opponents or simplifying it.

In standard Mahjong, you need a combination of four sets and one pair to declare a win. Winning with just two pairs is not possible according to traditional rules. Always check the specific rules of the Mahjong variation you are playing, as some house rules or regional versions may have unique winning conditions.

They are used to keep track of the scores.

Off to the side or in the case in which you store your Mahjong set. It will not affect the play so where ever you desire so long as they don't get in the way.

The direction of drawing depends on your preference. You can pick from either side of the draw pile. It won't affect the gameplay at all.

Put them facing you on your rack. The sequence is a matter of personal preference. You may want to put potential melds together, potential discards together, etc.

For American Mahjong, there are different fixed Mahjong hands, so not just any melds. Those hands are published on a laminated card annually in April by the National Mahjong League, and cost $7.