Game Description: Mahjong is a popular tile-based game that originated in China. It’s a strategic game that requires skill, attention to detail, and a bit of luck. Players aim to remove all the tiles from their rack by creating sets and runs, while blocking their opponents from doing the same.
How to Play:
- Each player starts with a rack of 14 tiles.
- The remaining tiles are placed face down in a wall, with the top layer turned over to form the discard pile.
- Players take turns picking a tile from the wall or the discard pile, and then discarding one tile from their rack.
- A player can only pick a tile that matches one of the following criteria:
- A tile that is already in their rack, either by itself or as part of a set or run.
- A tile that completes a set or run they already have in their rack.
- A set consists of three or four tiles with the same rank, but different suits.
- For example, a set of three or four 5s, regardless of the suit.
- A run consists of three or more tiles with the same suit in sequential order (e.g., 1-2-3 of bamboos).
- If a player has formed a valid set or run, they can announce “Mahjong” and lay down the tiles to score points.
- The game continues until one player has removed all the tiles from their rack, or the wall is depleted and no more valid moves can be made.
Full Details:
Tile Types: Mahjong uses a set of 144 tiles, which are divided into three categories:
- Suits: Bamboos (), Circles (), and Characters () - each with 36 tiles, ranked from 1 to 9.
- Honors: Red Dragons (), Black Dragons (), and Wind Tiles () - each with 16 tiles, ranked from 1 to 9.
- Bonus Tiles: Flower Tiles () and Season Tiles () - each with 8 tiles, which can be used to form sets and runs.
Scoring: Points are awarded as follows:
- A set of three tiles: 3 points
- A set of four tiles: 4 points
- A run of three tiles: 3 points
- A run of four tiles: 4 points
- A run of five or more tiles: 5 points
- A bonus tile: 1 point
Special Rules:
- Ghost Tile: If a player has formed a set or run using a tile that is no longer in the wall, they can lay down the tile and score the points. However, if another player has already formed a set or run using the same tile, the points are cancelled.
- Dead Wall: If the wall is depleted and no more valid moves can be made, the game is over, and the player with the fewest points wins.
Tips and Strategies:
- Pay attention to the tiles: Observe the tiles that have been discarded and try to remember which ones are left in the wall.
- Build sets and runs: Focus on forming sets and runs with the tiles you have, as this will give you more options for future moves.
- Block your opponents: Try to prevent your opponents from forming sets and runs by discarding tiles that would help them.
- Manage your rack: Keep your rack organized and try to maintain a balanced distribution of tiles to increase your chances of making valid moves.
I hope this helps you get started with Mahjong!