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How to Play American Mahjong: A Beginner’s Guide [2023]

Chinese people have been playing the game of mahjong for generations. The game, which is played with a set of tiles, combines talent, luck, and strategy. The game has evolved through time to include American Mahjong among its variants.

We will give a general introduction of American Mahjong in this post, including its background, the set of tiles used in the game, typical guidelines, how to play, winning strategies, and commonly asked questions.

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History of American Mahjong

The game of Mahjong, which originated in China, is called American Mahjong. Joseph P. Babcock, an American businessman who was operating in China at the time, created it in the 1920s.

Babcock altered the game to appeal to American tastes, coming up with new rules and a new set of tiles that included Uncle Sam hats, eagles, and other national emblems. Since that time, American Mahjong card game has gained popularity in both the United States and other nations.

American Mahjong Set of Tiles

The set of American Mahjong tiles consists of 152 tiles. The tiles are divided into seven suits:

Tile TypeNumber of Tiles
Dots9 (Numbered 1-9)
Bamboos (Bams)9 (Numbered 1-9)
Characters (Craks)9 (Numbered 1-9)
Winds4 (North, South, East, and West)
Dragons3 (Red, Green, and White)
Flowers4 (Each depicting a different flower)
Jokers8 (Can be used as wild cards)

Common Rules of the American Mahjong

There are many variations of American Mahjong, but here are some of the common rules:

  • The game is played with four players.
  • Each player starts with 13 tiles and takes turns drawing and discarding tiles until they have a winning hand.
  • A player can win by having a combination of tiles that meets certain criteria, such as having three of a kind, a straight of three tiles, or a full set of one suit.
  • Players can also win by having a special combination of tiles called a “mahjong.”
  • Players can steal tiles from other players if they need them to complete their hand.
  • The game ends when a player wins or when no more tiles are left in the draw pile.

How to Play American Mahjong?

Playing American Mahjong online game involves several steps, including starting the game, picking a hand, the Charleston, gameplay, and scoring.

Starting The Game

The tiles are shuffled before the game begins, and each player constructs a wall of tiles in front of them that is typically two tiles high and seventeen tiles long.

Afterwards, the walls are forced together to create a square. To choose the dealer’s starting position, the player on the dealer’s right rolls two dice. The dealer then deals 13 tiles, starting with oneself and going anticlockwise, to each player.

Picking a Hand

Each player can begin choosing a hand after receiving their 13 tiles. Participants have the option of keeping the tiles they were dealt or exchanging them by tossing out a few of them and drawing new ones from the wall. Only during their turn, players are permitted to do this, and they must always hold 13 tiles in their hand.

The Charleston

The Charleston starts after players have picked their hands. Players can pass tiles to one another during the trade round known as the Charleston. The Charleston has two rounds, each of which consists of three passes.

Players pass three tiles to the player to their left during the first round, and three tiles to the player to their right during the second. Players pass three tiles to the person across from them during the third pass.

Gameplay

The game starts after the Ceremony is finished. The game is played clockwise, starting with the player to the dealer’s right. Players have three options during their turn: draw a tile from the wall, take a tile that was thrown away by another player, or declare a winning hand. As soon as a player declares a winning hand, the game is over.

Scoring Method

Although the American Mahjong scoring system can be fairly intricate, it is based on the tile combinations in each player’s hand. Each combination has a certain number of points, and at the end of the game, the player with the most points wins.

Additionally, certain combinations might get you extra points, such as when all the tiles are of the same suit.

Winning Tips To Play American Mahjong

There are several winning tips of American Mahjong for beginners can learn, which are:

  • Know the rules: Before you start playing American Mahjong, make sure you understand the rules. Familiarize yourself with the different types of tiles, the scoring system, and the gameplay.
  • Plan your hand: When you are picking a hand, try to plan out the combinations you want to make. Look for pairs, triplets, and sequences that you can build on.
  • Keep an eye on your opponents: Pay attention to the tiles your opponents are discarding and picking up. This can give you a clue as to what combinations they are trying to make.
  • Don’t be afraid to change your strategy: If you find that your hand is not coming together as planned, don’t be afraid to change your strategy. Sometimes it’s better to discard tiles and draw new ones than to stick with a losing strategy.
  • Practice, practice, practice: The more you play American Mahjong, the better you will become. Practice with friends or online, and try to learn from your mistakes.

Final Thoughts

American Mahjong is a satisfying and difficult game that calls for skill, strategy, and a little bit of luck. You can improve as a player by comprehending the regulations, organising your hand, and keeping a watch on your rivals.

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FAQ

What is the difference between Chinese and American Mahjong?

Rules, tile sets, and scoring systems differ significantly between Chinese and American versions of mahjong. Chinese Mahjong uses floral tiles and seasons and has a more intricate scoring system. American Mahjong’s rules are more straightforward, and its tile set includes extra tiles such jokers and Charleston tiles.

How do you play American-style Mahjong?

Players need to arrange sets of tiles in American-style Mahjong in order to score points. Picking a hand, the Charleston, and gaming are among the game’s standard regulations. When a player forms a full hand or when there are no more tiles to add to the wall, the game is over.

Is American Mahjong hard to learn?

Compared to other Mahjong variants, American Mahjong has simpler rules and is not as difficult to master. To master the game and create winning strategy, though, requires experience and practise.

What is the difference between American and Western Mahjong?

While the rules and gameplay of American and Western Mahjong are similar, they use different sets of tiles. Western Mahjong employs a tile set that is comparable to Chinese Mahjong, whereas American Mahjong uses a set that includes extra tiles such jokers and Charleston tiles.

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