Introduction: Welcome to the enchanting world of Mahjong! Whether you're a newcomer looking to learn the game or a seasoned player seeking a refresher, this beginner's guide will walk you through the fundamental rules of modern American Mahjong, where there are slight nuances and differences from the original game of Mahjongg and several other methods of play. In future blogs, we will dive into the differences between Chinese and American Mahjong, but for this blog we will focus on specifics of the modern American Mahjong game. As you delve into this captivating pastime, you'll unlock a world of strategy, socialization, and endless enjoyment.
- Understanding the Tiles: American Mahjong is played with a set of 152 - 160 tiles, each adorned with beautiful illustrations. There are three unique suits (Dots, Bams, Cracks) and special tiles like Jokers that make Mahjong distinct. When playing, you will explore the significance of Flowers, Winds and Seasons, which add an extra layer of excitement to the game.
- Dealing: One person serves as the dealer and there is a special way to distribute Mahjong tiles to each player. They begin dealing 4 tiles at a time to each player in the same direction of play, counter clockwise. The final step is for the dealer to take the 1st and 3rd tile at the end of the wall, and distribute one tile each to remaining players. Note that the dealer will have 14 tiles throughout the next step and when game play begins, will be the first to discard that 14th tile.
- The Charleston: We begin with the Charleston, where there are rounds where each player chooses three tiles to discard in exchange for tiles from other players. The Charleston is played in R-O-L-L-O-R order. Right Over Left, then Left Over Right. At the end of the first Left Charleston (R-O-L), On the pass to the left they may choose to blind pass. They may also blind pass on the final Right Charleston (L-O-R).
- Gameplay Mechanics: The dealer discards the first tile, calling it out as she places it face up on the mat. Moving counter clockwise, the next player selects a fresh tile from the wall and decides whether to discard or to keep and discard another from her hand. When each wall is finished, you push out from the next wall to the right.
- Pairs, Pungs, Kongs and Quints: A PAIR in Mahjong refers to two identical tiles of the same suit and rank. Pairs are formed by collecting two matching tiles, such as two Bamboo 5 tiles or two Red Dragon tiles. A PUNG is a set of three identical tiles of the same suit and rank. For example, collecting three Dot 3 tiles or three East Wind tiles would form a Pung. A KONG is a set of four identical tiles of the same suit and rank. A QUINT, also known as Quintuplet or Five of a Kind, is a set of five identical tiles of the same suit and rank. Quints are rare and valuable combinations in Mahjong. They are not as commonly used in traditional Mahjong gameplay, but some variants or special rulesets may incorporate Quints for scoring purposes.
- Picking Hands and Calling Tiles: The hardest part of the game is strategizing on which hand you begin to target as a player. Tile combinations are provided on cards (National Mah Jongg League Official Hands and Rules Card, new card published each year). Players can Call tiles by either "pausing" the came to determine if they'd like to call the tile, or directly calling a recently discarded tile. When they call a tile, they must expose the pung, kong or quint.
- Jokers and Blanks: Jokers are used as wild cards and may be used with any pung, kong or quint. A pung, kong and quint can use as many jokers as the player has and desires to use. A JOKER MAY NEVER BE USED IN A PAIR! Blanks are not used in all mahjong games, but when they are the player may discretely exchange a blank tile for any discarded tile, at any time. Jokers and Blanks may never be “Called” to complete and expose pungs, kongs or quints.
- Winning and declaring “Mahjong”: When a player draws or calls their final 14th tile to complete mahjong, they declare “Mahjong” and expose their hand. If the hand was declared in error, the players hand is now considered a dead hand and play can continue for all remaining players.
Conclusion: Congratulations! You've completed your beginner's journey into the basic rules of American Mahjong. Now that you have a solid understanding of the game, gather your friends and immerse yourselves in the world of American Mahjong. Whether you're hosting game nights in the comfort of your home or joining fellow enthusiasts at local venues, Mahjong offers a delightful blend of strategy, socializing, and cultural appreciation. So, shuffle the tiles, embrace the camaraderie, and let the captivating journey of Mahjong begin!