Mahjong is a fascinating and strategic tile-based game that has captured the hearts of players around the world.
The goal of the game is to be the first player to get a specific combination of mahjong tiles.
Below you will find the video tutorial and written explanation for how to play American version of Mahjong
Mahjong Tutorial
Needed
American Mahjong uses 152 tiles.
Three Suits: 36 Circle tiles (also called Dots), 36 Bamboo tiles (also called Bams), and 36 Character tiles (also called Cracks), each different suit has four tiles for each number one through nine.
Wind Tiles: 4 North tiles, 4 East tiles, 4 South tiles, 4 West tiles
Dragon Tiles: 4 White Dragon tiles (also called Soap), 4 Green Dragon tiles, 4 Red Dragon tiles
Flower and Season Tiles: 4 Flower tiles, 4 Season tiles
Joker Tiles: 8 Joker tiles (also called Wild tiles)
Each player receives a rack.
All the tiles are shuffled face down in the middle of the playing area.
Each player creates a line of 19 tiles, stacked two tiles high.
These stacks are pushed to the middle to build the wall.
To determine the dealer for the first game, each player takes turns rolling two dice.
The player with the highest total becomes the first dealer, known as "East." An optional wind indicator can be used to keep track of the current dealer.
The dealer breaks the wall by rolling the two dice again, counting off tiles from right to left on the wall in front of them. Then, takes the first two sets of tiles to the left of the break (4 tiles total).
Moving counter-clockwise, players draw 4 tiles where the previous player left off. This continues until each player has 12 tiles.
East (the dealer) then takes two more tiles and the other players will get one more tile. These final tiles are taken as follows:
East: first and third top tile.
South: first uncovered bottom tile.
West: next top tile.
North: next bottom tile.
Objective of the Game
The objective for the game of Mahjong is to be the first player to achieve Mahjong. Mahjong is a specific combination of 14 tiles.
There are numerous winning combinations. Each year the National Mah Jongg League releases a scorecard with all possible winning combinations.
These combinations often involve pairs, three of a kind, four of a kind, five of a kind, or six of a kind.
Game Play
The Mahjong game starts with a phase called "The Charleston," an exchange of tiles among players to improve their hands.
Each player selects three tiles to pass, placing them face down in the playing area.
The first pass is to the right.
The process is repeated, with the second pass going across the table to the opposite player from you.
The process is repeated a third time, with this pass going to the left.
The Charleston can continue if all players in the game agree.
If continuing, the fourth pass is to the left. The fifth pass is to the opposite player. The sixth pass is to the right.
The acronym R.O.L.L.O.R. can be used to remember the passing directions. Right, Opposite, Left, Left, Opposite, Right
A seventh and final pass between opposite players is optional. This is known as the courtesy pass. Opposite players can agree to pass any number of tiles from zero to three.
After The Charleston, the dealer starts the drawing and discarding phase.
The dealer discards a tile to the middle playing area, and players take turns drawing and discarding tiles in a clockwise fashion.
The most recently discarded tile can be claimed by another player, known as "calling a tile," if the drawn tile completes a combination (three of a kind, four of a kind, five of a kind, or six of a kind) for the calling player.
When a tile is called, the combination is exposed for all players to see, and the game continues with the next player.
Winning
A player declares Mahjong when they create a winning combination set of tiles.
The winning player receives a payout from all other players based on the winning hand combination, with the value of the hand listed next to the winning hand in the scorecard.
Rules
There are two types of winning hands: exposed and concealed. For a concealed hand, all tiles must be drawn from the wall as calling a tile requires exposing the combination.
A tile cannot be called to complete a pair unless it completes a Mahjong hand.
If multiple players call for the same tile, it goes to the player who can complete a Mahjong hand first. If no player can complete a hand, it goes to the nearest player in turn.
Tiles discarded before the most recent one cannot be called and are considered "dead tiles."
A Joker tile cannot be used to complete a pair or as single tiles in a hand.
If a player gets a tile for a combination using a joker, the actual tile can be substituted for the joker.
If all tiles have been drawn from the wall, and no player announces Mahjong, the hand ends in a draw.
After a game, the player to the right of the dealer becomes the new dealer for the next game.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Mahjong, and where did it originate?
Mahjong is an ancient Chinese tile game that has been around for centuries.
It's believed to have originated in China during the Qing Dynasty, and it's now enjoyed worldwide.
2. How many players are required to play Mahjong?
Mahjong can be played with 2 to 4 players, but it's most commonly played with 4 players.
3. What is the objective of Mahjong?
The primary objective of Mahjong is to create sets of matching tiles, called melds, and ultimately assemble a winning hand.
The winning conditions may vary based on the specific Mahjong variant you're playing.
4. How do I win a round of Mahjong?
Winning a round of Mahjong involves forming a complete hand of specific combinations, such as Pongs, Kongs, Chows, and a pair. The exact requirements vary between Mahjong rule sets.
5. What are some common Mahjong variants?
There are numerous Mahjong variants, including Chinese, Japanese, and American Mahjong, each with its own rules and scoring methods.
6. What are the basic rules for drawing and discarding tiles?
Players take turns drawing tiles from the wall and then discard one tile on each turn.
You can only pick the tile at the front of the wall or claim a tile that another player has discarded if it helps complete your hand.
7. What are the Winds and Dragons in Mahjong?
Winds (East, South, West, North) and Dragons (Red, Green, White) are special tiles in Mahjong, often used to form special sets. Their significance may vary depending on the rule set.
8. What's the significance of the Flower and Season tiles?
In some Mahjong variations, Flower and Season tiles can be used as bonus tiles, providing additional opportunities to score points.
9. What are the basic rules of Mahjong?
The basic rules of Mahjong may vary depending on the variant you are playing, but the fundamental gameplay revolves around creating tile combinations while following the rules for drawing and discarding tiles.
10. Is Mahjong easy to learn?
Mahjong can appear complex to beginners due to the variety of tiles, rules, and scoring systems. However, with patience and practice, it becomes easier to grasp.
Many people find it enjoyable to learn and gradually improve their Mahjong skills over time.
11. What is the key to winning Mahjong?
The key to winning Mahjong is understanding the rules and strategies specific to the variant you are playing, along with keen observation and decision-making.
Successful Mahjong players pay attention to their opponents' discards, adapt their strategies, and aim for efficient tile combinations to complete their hands.
12. How long does a game of Mahjong take?
The duration of a Mahjong game can vary widely depending on factors like the number of players, skill level, and the specific rules being used.
A casual game can last anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours, while more competitive games or tournament play may take longer.
13. What is the difference between American and Chinese Mahjong?
American Mahjong and Chinese Mahjong are two distinct variants of the game.
The key differences include the number of tiles (American Mahjong uses 152 tiles, while Chinese Mahjong uses 144), the scoring systems, and the types of hands that are considered winning.
Strategy
Mahjong strategy is a delicate balance of skill, observation, and adaptability.
At its core, it revolves around forming efficient tile combinations while keeping an eye on your opponents' discards.
Successful Mahjong players employ a mix of offensive and defensive strategies.
Offensively, they aim to build their desired hand quickly, often by focusing on high-scoring combinations.
Defensively, they make careful tile discards to minimize the risk of giving their opponents the tiles they need.
The ability to read the game, anticipate the tiles others are collecting, and adjust your strategy accordingly is crucial.
A well-rounded Mahjong strategy also involves understanding the rules and intricacies of the specific variant being played, as each one has its unique nuances.
Patience, observation, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances are the keys to mastering Mahjong strategy.
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