Complete Guide to Mahjong
Master the classic game of Mahjong with our comprehensive guide. Learn rules, winning combinations, and strategies to dominate the competition.
Introduction to Mahjong
Mahjong is a classic tile-based game that combines strategy, skill, and a bit of luck. Originating from China, it has become popular worldwide and is now available on QQFUN Games. The game is played with four players who work to form winning hand combinations using tiles.
Unlike purely chance-based games, Mahjong rewards strategic thinking, observation, and decision-making. Understanding the rules and developing good strategies will significantly improve your chances of winning.
Mahjong Basics
Game Overview
Mahjong is typically played with four players. Each player starts with 13 tiles and takes turns drawing and discarding tiles. The goal is to form a winning hand before your opponents.
Game Flow
- Deal: Each player receives 13 tiles. The dealer receives 14 tiles.
- Draw: On your turn, draw a tile from the wall.
- Discard: Discard one tile from your hand.
- Claim: Other players can claim your discarded tile if they can use it.
- Win: Form a complete winning hand and declare victory.
Hand Size
A complete Mahjong hand consists of 14 tiles arranged into specific combinations. You need to form melds (sets of tiles) and a pair to win.
Understanding Tiles
Tile Types
Mahjong uses 144 tiles divided into several categories:
Suit Tiles
Bamboo, Dots, Characters: Each suit has tiles numbered 1-9. There are four copies of each tile.
Honor Tiles
Dragons & Winds: Special tiles that are often valuable. Dragons: Red, Green, White. Winds: East, South, West, North.
Tile Values
- Number Tiles (1-9): Standard tiles in each suit
- Dragon Tiles: Red Dragon, Green Dragon, White Dragon - Often worth more points
- Wind Tiles: East, South, West, North - Valuable for certain combinations
Winning Hand Combinations
Melds (Sets)
A meld is a combination of tiles. There are two types:
Pung (Triplet)
Three identical tiles. Example: Three 5-Bamboo tiles.
Chow (Sequence)
Three consecutive tiles of the same suit. Example: 3-4-5 Dots.
Winning Hand Structure
A winning hand consists of:
- Four Melds: Four sets of three tiles each (Pung or Chow)
- One Pair: Two identical tiles
- Total: 14 tiles (4 melds × 3 + 1 pair × 2)
Common Winning Combinations
- All Pungs: Four triplets and a pair
- All Chows: Four sequences and a pair
- Mixed: Combination of Pungs and Chows
- Honor Hands: Hands using mostly Dragon and Wind tiles
Scoring System
Base Points
Different winning hands are worth different points. The scoring system rewards more difficult and valuable combinations:
| Hand Type | Points | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Hand | 1 Point | Basic winning combination |
| All Pungs | 2 Points | Four triplets and a pair |
| All Honors | 3 Points | Hand using only Dragon and Wind tiles |
| Dragon Hand | 2 Points | Hand containing a Dragon triplet |
Multipliers
Certain conditions multiply your base points:
- Self-Draw: 2x multiplier when you draw your winning tile
- Last Tile: 2x multiplier when winning on the last available tile
- Bonus Tiles: Extra points for Flower and Season tiles
Winning Strategies
1. Plan Your Hand Early
Decide your winning hand strategy early. Are you going for All Pungs, All Chows, or a mixed hand? Commit to your strategy and collect tiles accordingly.
2. Watch Opponent Discards
Pay close attention to what tiles other players are discarding. This tells you what they're not collecting and helps you understand their strategy.
3. Keep Flexible Tiles
Hold onto tiles that can be used in multiple combinations. Flexibility increases your chances of completing a winning hand.
4. Discard Risky Tiles
Discard tiles that opponents are likely collecting. Avoid giving them the tiles they need to win.
5. Balance Your Hand
Don't focus too heavily on one suit. A balanced hand gives you more options and increases your chances of winning.
6. Manage Your Discards
Be strategic about which tiles you discard. Discard high-value tiles when safe, and keep them when you need them.
7. Observe Patterns
Look for patterns in how opponents play. Some players are aggressive, others conservative. Adjust your strategy accordingly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Changing Strategy Mid-Game
Constantly changing your winning hand target confuses your strategy. Commit to one approach.
❌ Ignoring Opponent Discards
Not paying attention to what others discard means you miss valuable information.
❌ Holding Too Many Tiles
Don't hold onto tiles you don't need. Discard them to reduce your hand size.
❌ Being Too Aggressive
Claiming every available tile can expose your strategy. Be selective.
❌ Ignoring Winning Opportunities
Sometimes a simple win is better than waiting for a higher-scoring hand.
❌ Poor Tile Management
Don't hoard tiles. Keep your hand organized and flexible.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Pung is three identical tiles (like three 5-Bamboo). A Chow is three consecutive tiles of the same suit (like 3-4-5 Dots). Both are valid melds in a winning hand.
A standard Mahjong set has 144 tiles: 108 suit tiles (36 Bamboo, 36 Dots, 36 Characters), 28 Honor tiles (4 each of 7 types), and 8 Bonus tiles (4 Flowers, 4 Seasons).
Yes, you can claim a discarded tile from any player if you can use it to form a meld. However, you must declare the meld immediately.
Once you claim a tile and form a meld, you cannot take it back. Be careful when claiming tiles. Always verify you can form a valid meld.
You have a winning hand when you have four melds and one pair (14 tiles total) arranged in a valid combination. The game will typically highlight valid winning combinations.
Mahjong is a skill-based game with elements of luck. While tile draws involve chance, strategic decisions about which tiles to keep and discard significantly impact your success.
Ready to Master Mahjong?
Download QQFUN Games and start playing with the strategies you've learned.
Play Now