Q&A for How to Play Mahjong

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Question

Can I pick a discarded tile for mahjong?

Community Answer

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).

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Question

Do I also need cards to play this?

Community Answer

No, you do not.

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Question

Can two people play Mahjong?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Can I play solitaire mahjong?

Mikayla Borchard

Community Answer

Yes. There are plenty of websites and apps you can find that will explain the altered rules for you.

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Question

How do the directions go in Mahjong?

Community Answer

East, south, west, north. East deals, and south goes first because it's to the right of the east.

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Question

Do I need a yearly renewable card to play?

Community Answer

For American Mahjong, a laminated card is published annually in April by the National Mahjong League. Everyone at a table should be playing with a card for the current (or same) year.

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Question

I was told before attending a beginner's class to bring my own mahjong set and a 2019 card. What is a 2019 card?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

How do I set up the tiles I'm dealt?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

In what direction should I pick up the tiles?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Where are the dice supposed to rest during play?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

My set came with little tokens or coins. What are these for?

Community Answer

They are used to keep track of the scores.

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