Enter the captivating world of American Mahjong, a game that blends strategic thinking, luck, and a dash of social flair. Unlike its Chinese counterpart, American Mahjong boasts its own unique set of rules and gameplay, promising an exhilarating experience for players of all levels. Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of tiles, where every move holds the potential to shape the outcome of the game. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a curious novice, American Mahjong offers a thrilling challenge that will keep you engaged for hours on end.
As you embark on your Mahjong journey, you’ll discover a game that’s both accessible and deeply rewarding. The rules are surprisingly straightforward, yet the gameplay offers endless possibilities. With each hand, you’ll draw tiles, meld them into sets, and aim to complete your hand before your opponents. The game demands a keen eye for patterns, strategic planning, and a bit of luck to tip the odds in your favor. As you play, you’ll experience the thrill of completing a Mahjong hand, the satisfaction of blocking your opponents, and the excitement of winning a game.
Beyond its strategic gameplay, American Mahjong is a social pastime that fosters camaraderie and friendly competition. Gather your friends or family around the table, as laughter and lively conversations accompany the clacking of tiles. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a curious beginner, American Mahjong is a game that will entertain, challenge, and create lasting memories. So, embrace the allure of this timeless classic and discover the joy of American Mahjong.
Gathering the Essentials
Delve into the captivating world of American mahjong by assembling the necessary tools for an unforgettable experience. To embark on this exciting journey, you’ll require the following components:
1. **Mahjong Set**: The centerpiece of any mahjong game is the resplendent mahjong set. It consists of 144 intricately carved tiles, each adorned with exquisite designs and enigmatic symbols. These tiles are broadly classified into three major categories: Suit Tiles, Honor Tiles, and Bonus Tiles.
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– Suit Tiles: Forming the backbone of the game, Suit Tiles are further subdivided into three distinct suits – Dots, Bamboos, and Characters. Each suit encompasses 36 tiles, ranging from 1 to 9, with four identical copies of each number.
– Honor Tiles: Exuding both power and prestige, Honor Tiles consist of the East, South, West, and North Wind tiles, as well as three Dragon tiles (Red, Green, and White). Each Wind tile appears four times, while Dragon tiles are represented only thrice.
– Bonus Tiles: Providing an element of excitement and strategy, Bonus Tiles include the Joker, Flower, and Season tiles. The Joker functions as a wild card, while Flower and Season tiles offer special bonuses when combined with winning hands.
2. **Dice**: To determine the starting player and set the pace of the game, two dice are employed. Typically, one die is red and the other blue, adding a touch of vibrancy to the mahjong table.
3. **Scoreboard**: An indispensable accessory, the scoreboard allows players to meticulously track their progress and calculate their final scores. It’s an essential tool for keeping score and determining the eventual victor.
4. **Racks**: Each player utilizes their own individual rack to organize and conceal their tiles from prying eyes. These racks are typically constructed from durable materials, ensuring the tiles remain secure throughout the game.
5. **Chips**: Chips serve as a form of currency within the mahjong world. They are used to settle accounts between players and determine the final monetary outcome of the game.
Understanding the Tiles
American Mahjong uses a set of 152 tiles, each with unique symbols and colors. They can be categorized into six different suits and two special types:
Suits:
- Circles: Tiles numbered 1-9, depicted as solid red circles.
- Bamboo Sticks: Tiles numbered 1-9, represented as green bamboo sticks.
- Characters: Tiles numbered 1-9, written in Chinese characters and printed in black.
- Winds: Four tiles representing the directions: East, West, North, and South.
- Dragons: Three tiles depicting the mythical creatures: Red Dragon, Green Dragon, and White Dragon.
Special Types:
- Bells: Two special tiles that extend the number of available tiles and provide additional scoring opportunities.
- Jokers: Two blank tiles that can be used as any other tile, but cannot be used for Winds, Dragons, or Bells.
The following table provides a detailed breakdown of the tiles:
| Suit | Number | Symbol | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circle | 1-9 | Solid red circles | Red |
| Bamboo Stick | 1-9 | Green bamboo sticks | Green |
| Character | 1-9 | Chinese characters | Black |
| Wind | East, West, North, South | Directional symbols | Red (for East), Green (for West), Black (for North), Blue (for South) |
| Dragon | Red, Green, White | Mythical creatures | Red, Green, White |
| Bell | Two tiles | Flower or bell pattern | Pink |
| Joker | Two tiles | Blank | Yellow |
Setting Up the Table
Before you begin, you’ll need to gather your materials:
- A circular table or one that can seat four players comfortably
- A set of American mahjong tiles (152 tiles in total)
- Four tile racks
- A pair of dice
- Four scoring sticks
Once you have your materials, you can start setting up the table. Begin by placing the table in the center of the playing area. Then, each player should take a seat at the table. The player who is acting as the banker should sit at the east position. The other players should sit at the south, west, and north positions.
The banker will then shuffle the tiles and deal them out to the players. Each player will receive 13 tiles. The remaining 16 tiles will be placed in the center of the table to form the “dead wall.” The banker will also roll the dice to determine who will go first. The player to the left of the banker will go first, and play will then proceed clockwise around the table.
The Playing Field
The playing field consists of the following areas:
|
Area |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Wall |
The 16 tiles that are placed in the center of the table at the beginning of the game. |
|
Rack |
The rack that each player uses to hold their tiles. |
|
Board |
The area in the center of the table where players discard their tiles. |
|
Meld |
A combination of three or more tiles that is placed on the board. |
Dealing the Tiles
Dealing is done by one of the players. The first dealer is determined randomly or by agreement. The dealer shuffles the tiles face down and stacks them in a central position on the table. The dealer then rolls the two dice to determine the number of tiles to deal; the number of tiles to deal is two times the dice result plus ten.
Selecting the “Dead Wall”
The dealer selects a number of tiles from the back of the wall equal to the count determined by the dice roll and sets them aside face down and perpendicular to the main wall. This is known as the “dead wall” and is not used during the game. Setting aside a dead wall in American Mahjong has two effects:
- It reduces the number of tiles available for play, making the game more challenging.
- It can prevent players from drawing crucial tiles late in the game, known as “tile starvation.”
Dealing the Tiles
The dealer then deals 13 tiles to each player in a clockwise direction. The tiles are dealt face down in four stacks of three tiles each, with an additional stack of one tile.
| Stack | Number of Tiles |
|---|---|
| Stacks 1-3 | 3 |
| Stack 4 | 1 |
The remaining tiles are placed face down in the center of the table and form the “reserve wall.”
Arranging the Tiles
Arranging the tiles is the first step in playing American mahjong. It is important to do this correctly in order to ensure a fair game.
The first step is to shuffle the tiles.
To do this, place the tiles face down on the table and mix them up thoroughly. Once the tiles are shuffled, place them in a pile in the center of the table.
The next step is to build the wall.
To do this, players take turns drawing tiles from the pile and placing them on the table in rows of two. The rows should be parallel to each other and should be spaced about an inch apart.
The wall should be built until there are 17 rows of two tiles each. The remaining tiles are placed in a pile in the center of the table. This pile is known as the boneyard.
Once the wall is built, players can begin drawing tiles from the boneyard.
Drawing Tiles
Players take turns drawing tiles from the boneyard. They can draw one tile at a time, or they can draw two tiles if they have a pair in their hand.
If a player draws a tile that they can use to complete a meld, they can do so immediately. If a player cannot use the tile, they must discard it face up on the table.
The player to the left of the player who discarded the tile can then draw that tile from the table. If the player can use the tile to complete a meld, they can do so immediately. If they cannot use the tile, they must discard it face up on the table.
The game continues in this manner until one player wins by completing a mahjong hand.
Building Melds
Mahjong is played by building melds, which are sets of tiles that are matched together according to certain rules. There are three main types of melds:
- Runs: A run is a set of three or more tiles that are in numerical order and of the same suit.
- Pungs: A pung is a set of three identical tiles.
- Kongs: A kong is a set of four identical tiles.
In addition to these basic melds, there are also some special melds that are worth more points. These include:
- Pairs: A pair is a set of two identical tiles.
- Concealed melds: A concealed meld is a meld that is formed before any other tiles have been played.
- Revealed melds: A revealed meld is a meld that is formed after other tiles have been played.
Kong
A kong is a set of four identical tiles. It can be formed in two ways:
- Concealed kong: This is a kong that is formed before any other tiles have been played. The four tiles must be drawn from the wall or taken from other players’ discards.
- Revealed kong: This is a kong that is formed after other tiles have been played. The four tiles can be drawn from the wall, taken from other players’ discards, or formed by adding a fourth tile to a pung.
A kong can be either a closed kong or an open kong. A closed kong is a kong that is not exposed to the other players. A open kong is a kong that is exposed to the other players.
| Kong Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Concealed Kong | Formed before any other tiles have been played. The four tiles must be drawn from the wall or taken from other players’ discards. |
| Revealed Kong | Formed after other tiles have been played. The four tiles can be drawn from the wall, taken from other players’ discards, or formed by adding a fourth tile to a pung. |
| Closed Kong | Not exposed to the other players. |
| Open Kong | Exposed to the other players. |
Tiles Combinations
American Mahjong, a variant of the classic Chinese game, is played with a set of 152 tiles. These tiles are divided into several different categories, each with its own unique set of combinations.
Number Tiles
Number tiles are the most common type of tile in American Mahjong. They are numbered from 1 to 9, and each number is represented by four identical tiles. These tiles can be combined in a variety of ways to create different combinations.
Runs
A run is a combination of three or more number tiles that are in sequence. For example, 1-2-3, 4-5-6, and 7-8-9 are all valid runs.
Pungs
A pung is a combination of three identical number tiles. For example, 3-3-3, 5-5-5, and 8-8-8 are all valid pungs.
Kongs
A kong is a combination of four identical number tiles. For example, 2-2-2-2, 6-6-6-6, and 9-9-9-9 are all valid kongs.
Mixed Runs
A mixed run is a combination of three or more number tiles that are not all in sequence. However, the tiles must be all even or all odd. For example, 1-3-5, 2-4-6, and 7-9 are all valid mixed runs.
Mixed Pungs
A mixed pung is a combination of three identical number tiles that are not all even or all odd. For example, 2-2-5, 3-3-6, and 8-8-9 are all valid mixed pungs.
Mixed Kongs
A mixed kong is a combination of four identical number tiles that are not all even or all odd. For example, 2-2-2-5, 3-3-3-6, and 8-8-8-9 are all valid mixed kongs.
Winning the Game
In American Mahjong, the game concludes when one player, known as the “winner,” accumulates a predetermined number of points, which can vary depending on the house rules or tournament settings.
The game has different formats, including regular play, tournament play, and cutthroat play, each with specific rules for winning.
Here are the general steps to win the game:
- Form a Mahjong Hand: The winner must form a complete hand, consisting of four melds and one pair.
- Declare Mahjong: Once a player has a complete hand, they must declare “Mahjong” and show their hand to the other players.
- Check the Hand: The other players check the winner’s hand to verify its validity and count the points.
- Calculate Points: The winner receives points based on the value of the winning hand and any bonuses or penalties incurred.
- Record the Win: The winner’s score is recorded on the scorecard, and the game continues until the predetermined score is reached.
- Special Conditions: In some variations of the game, the winner may be required to win a certain number of hands or consecutive rounds to claim victory.
- Accumulate Points: The winner continues to play in subsequent rounds, accumulating points until they reach the winning score.
- Declared Mahjong: If a player forms a complete hand by drawing a tile from the wall, they receive a bonus. This move is known as “Declared Mahjong” or “Self-Drawn Mahjong.”
Scoring the Game
Scoring in American mahjong is a multifaceted process that involves multiple factors. Here’s a detailed explanation:
Meld Scoring
Melds are combinations of tiles that earn points. Each meld has a specific point value, as follows:
| Meld Type | Points |
|---|---|
| Pong | 2 |
| Kong | 8 |
| Chow | 1 |
| Pair | 0 |
| Concealed Kong | 16 |
| Rob Kong | 8 |
Hand Scoring
The total value of the melds in a hand determines the hand score. The following are some common hand types and their scores:
| Hand Type | Score |
|---|---|
| Mahjong | 100 |
| All Pongs | 40 |
| All Kongs | 60 |
| Seven Pairs | 25 |
| Little Three Dragons | 20 |
| Big Three Dragons | 40 |
| Four Winds | 20 |
| Small Four Winds | 10 |
| All Green | 20 |
| All Bamboos | 20 |
| All Characters | 20 |
| All Dots | 20 |
| Pure Hand | 10 |
| No Pairs | 10 |
| Nine Gates | 10 |
Additional Points
In addition to the points earned from melds and hand types, players can earn bonus points for certain achievements, such as:
- Self Picked Mahjong: 10 points
- Winning on a Kong: 10 points
- Winning on a Closed Kong: 20 points
- Winning on a Concealed Kong: 30 points
Setup
American Mahjong is played with a set of 144 tiles. The tiles are divided into three suits: characters, bamboos, and dots. There are also four special tiles: the East Wind, South Wind, West Wind, and North Wind.
To set up the game, each player draws 13 tiles. The remaining tiles are placed in a pile called the “wall.”
Gameplay
The goal of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all of their tiles. Players take turns drawing and discarding tiles until one player has a complete hand of 14 tiles.
A complete hand consists of four melds and a pair. A meld is a set of three or more tiles that are the same suit and consecutive in number. A pair is two tiles that are the same suit and number.
Winning
The player who first gets rid of all of their tiles wins the game. The winner scores points based on the tiles in their hand and the tiles that their opponents have left.
Common Variations
Hong Kong Mahjong
Hong Kong Mahjong is a variation of American Mahjong that is played with 152 tiles. The additional tiles include flowers and seasons.
Japanese Mahjong
Japanese Mahjong is a variation of American Mahjong that is played with 140 tiles. The tiles are divided into four suits: characters, bamboos, dots, and dragons.
Rules
Drawing Tiles
Players can draw tiles from the wall or from the discard pile. If a player draws a tile from the wall, they must discard a tile from their hand.
Melding Tiles
Players can meld tiles by placing them on the table in front of them. Melds must be either a run of at least three tiles of the same suit or a group of three or four tiles of the same number.
Winning
The player who first gets rid of all of their tiles wins the game. The winner scores points based on the tiles in their hand and the tiles that their opponents have left.
Penalties
Players can be penalized for breaking the rules. Penalties include having to draw extra tiles or having to skip their turn.
Using Winds and Flowers
Winds and flowers are special tiles that can be used to complete melds. Winds can also be used to replace other tiles in a meld.
Scoring
Players score points based on the tiles in their hand and the tiles that their opponents have left. There are different ways to score, including by completing melds, by getting rid of high-scoring tiles, and by winning the game.
How to Play American Mahjong Game
American Mahjong is a tile-based game that is played with four players. The goal of the game is to be the first player to complete a mahjong hand, which consists of four melds and a pair. A meld is a set of three or four tiles of the same suit and rank, or a run of three or more tiles of the same suit in sequence. A pair is two identical tiles.
The game is played with a set of 144 tiles, which are divided into three suits: bamboo, characters, and circles. Each suit has nine tiles of each rank, from one to nine. There are also 16 honor tiles, which are divided into four sets of four tiles each: winds, dragons, seasons, and flowers. The winds are east, south, west, and north. The dragons are red, green, and white. The seasons are spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The flowers are plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum.
To start the game, each player is dealt 13 tiles. The remaining tiles are placed in a pile in the center of the table. The player to the left of the dealer starts the game by drawing a tile from the pile. The player then discards a tile from their hand. The next player to the left then takes their turn.
The game continues in this way until one player completes a mahjong hand. When a player completes a mahjong hand, they shout “mahjong!” and the game ends. The player who completed the mahjong hand wins the game.
People also ask about How To Play American Mahjong Game
What is the difference between American Mahjong and Chinese Mahjong?
American Mahjong is a variant of Chinese Mahjong that was developed in the United States in the early 1900s. The two games are very similar, but there are a few key differences. One of the most notable differences is that American Mahjong uses a different set of tiles. American Mahjong tiles are slightly larger than Chinese Mahjong tiles, and they have different designs on the backs. Additionally, American Mahjong uses a different scoring system than Chinese Mahjong.
How long does a game of American Mahjong take?
A game of American Mahjong can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the number of players and the skill level of the players.
How do I learn how to play American Mahjong?
There are many ways to learn how to play American Mahjong. You can find books and online resources that teach the rules of the game. You can also find local Mahjong clubs where you can learn to play from other players.
