How to Learn Mahjong: A Beginner’s Guide
Mahjong is a game of skill, strategy, and a little luck — and it’s way more approachable than it seems at first glance. Whether you’re curious about this centuries-old game or want to impress friends at a game night, here’s a beginner-friendly guide to get you started.
1️⃣ Know the Tiles
A standard Mahjong set has 144 tiles, divided into suits, honors, and bonus tiles. Understanding them is the first step.
Suits:
Dots (Circles/Pin): 1–9
Bamboo (Bams/Suo): 1–9
Characters (Cracks/Man): 1–9
Honor Tiles:
Winds: East, South, West, North
Dragons: Red, Green, White
Bonus Tiles (optional):
Flowers and Seasons – give extra points but aren’t part of standard sets.
2️⃣ Understand the Goal
The goal of Mahjong is to complete a winning hand, usually 14 tiles, made up of:
Pungs: Three identical tiles
Chows: Three sequential tiles of the same suit
Kongs: Four identical tiles
Pair: Two identical tiles
A standard winning hand usually has 4 sets + 1 pair.
3️⃣ Learn How the Game is Played
Setup: Players build a wall of tiles and draw 13 tiles to start.
Turns: Each player draws a tile and discards one.
Claiming Tiles: You can take a discarded tile to complete a set (Chow, Pung, or Kong).
Winning (Mahjong): Form a complete hand of 14 tiles with the correct sets + pair.
4️⃣ Understand Scoring
Scoring rules vary depending on the version of Mahjong you play (American, Hong Kong, Japanese Riichi, etc.), but common scoring features include:
Bonus points for specific combinations (all Pungs, pure suits)
Points for bonus tiles like Flowers and Seasons
Special hands, like “Seven Pairs”
Tip: Focus on completing basic hands first before diving into complex scoring.
5️⃣ Tips for Beginners
Play Online: Apps like Mahjong Soul, Mahjong Time, or Microsoft Mahjong let you practice with automatic rules.
Start Simple: Focus on forming Pungs and Chows before learning advanced strategies.
Watch Tutorials: YouTube has beginner-friendly step-by-step guides.
Join a Community: Local Mahjong clubs or online forums are great for learning and practice. I teach a group in Port Royal, join us!
6️⃣ Why Learn Mahjong
Beyond being fun, Mahjong helps:
Improve memory and pattern recognition
Develop strategic thinking
Make new friends in clubs or online communities
Enjoy a cultural tradition rich with history
Final Thoughts
Mahjong may seem complicated at first, but with a little practice, anyone can learn it. Start with the basics, play often, and enjoy the process. Soon enough, you’ll be forming sets, claiming tiles, and shouting “Mahjong!” like a pro.
