Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Understanding Mahjong
• Method 2 of 3: starting the game
• Method 3 of 3: Play
• Tips
• What do you need

Mahjong is a Chinese game that was invented in the early 20th century and requires skill and the right strategy to be successful. In this article, you will learn the basic rules of mahjong, although there are also many different variations, so before starting the game, all players should know which version you will be playing.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Understanding Mahjong

1. 1 The object of the game is to clear the board by removing all the tiles and making them into four groups and one pair ("mahjong").
   • The four groups are called pung, sheng or kong.
   • Pung is a group of three identical tiles from any group.
   • Sheng is a sequence of three tiles of a suit - for example, 4.5, 6 bamboo.
   • Kong - four identical tiles from any group.
   • Ngan is a pair of identical tiles, it is also needed to get mahjong.
2. 2 The game uses 136 tiles. These are 36 symbols, 36 bamboos, 36 points, 16 winds and 12 dragons. Groups of 36 tiles are divided into four groups, numbered from 1 to 9.
3. 3 Dice are rolled to determine whether the dice have been delivered.

Method 2 of 3: starting the game

1. 1 Four players start. Due to the number of tiles, only four players always play mahjong.
2. 2 Choose the first dealer. This player deals the first group of tiles.
3. 3 Discuss the rules with all players. Your task is to collect the hand that gives the maximum number of points.
   • The winning hand must contain the maximum number of points (Fan).
4. 4 Place a special table on which you can build walls and set your hands.

Method 3 of 3: Play

1. 1 The dealer shuffles the four wind dice and hands them over to the players. The four knuckles symbolize the cardinal points and determine the player's position at the table.
   • Wind knuckles - north, south, east and west, players must sit accordingly.
2. 2 Next, the dealer on the table shuffles all the tiles face down.
3. 3 Each player takes 34 tiles and stores them face down.
4. 4 Next, the players must build a wall of 17 tiles in length and 2 in height from their tiles. They must remain face down, players cannot look at the walls in front of them.
5. 5 The dealer rolls the dice. Whichever number falls, he counts as many tiles from the right edge of the wall and begins to deal the tiles to the left of that spot.
6. 6 The dealer deals the tiles to all players in a clockwise direction. Each player receives 13 tiles, the dealer receives 14.
   • Players can look at their tiles, but they are not allowed to show them to other players.
7. 7 The dealer begins by discarding the knuckle. When a player discards a tile, it is placed face-up in the center of the rectangle formed by the walls so that all players can see it.
8. 8 The next player also discards one tile. The player to the right of the dealer (east) walks second. Having abandoned the knuckles, he can take one of the laid out in the center or from the wall.
   • The task is to collect the tiles until you collect mahjong - i.e. if one of the knuckles laid out with the picture upwards is paired with one of the knuckles in your hands, then it must be taken.
9. 9 Next, the player walks to the right of the east - south. He also discards one of the knuckles and takes one from either the center or the wall.
10. 10 Continue clockwise.
11. 11 Players continue to walk until someone wins by declaring mahjong, or until they run out of dice.
12. 12 At the end, count the points. Make sure the winner has a combination of 4 groups and a pair. If all the tiles have been used and no one has announced mahjong, there is no winner.

Tips

• Use a square table that is at least 91 cm wide, so there is enough room for all players' knuckles.
• Use a partition for each player, so they can see their tiles, and they will not be visible to other players.
• If you want to play mahjong for real money, just agree on the cash equivalent of each point. No bets are placed during the game, the winner will receive the winnings based on the scoring at the end of the game.
• Cognitive skills are very actively involved in the game, so doctors advise people with memory problems to play mahjong on a regular basis.

What do you need

• Mahjong set
• Square table
• Knuckle supports (optional)
• Rulebook (optional)