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

Chinese Mahjong is a classic tile-based game with Chinese roots. It is a well-known game all around the world and has been played for centuries. We will go over the background, guidelines, and strategies for playing Chinese Mahjong in this article.

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History of Chinese Mahjong

Mahjong has a lengthy and illustrious past that stretches back to China’s Qing period. The royal family was the first to play the game, which gradually gained popularity among the general populace.

The game began to spread throughout the world in the early 20th century, including to Singapore. Currently, people play Mahjong all around the world.

Chinese Mahjong set of tiles

The Chinese Mahjong set of tiles consists of various categories of tiles, which include Circles, Bamboos, Characters, Next Festival, Serials, Winds, Dragons, Chinese paper-cuts, Honor tiles, Seasonal Flowers, Seasons, and a Full Mahjong Set.

Each category of tiles has its unique features and importance in the game.

A. Circles

The Circle tiles are numbered from one to nine and are represented by circles. Each number is repeated four times, making a total of 36 Circle tiles. The Circle tiles are also known as Dots or Balls in some variations of Mahjong.

B. Bamboos

The Bamboo tiles are numbered from one to nine and are represented by bamboo sticks. Each number is repeated four times, making a total of 36 Bamboo tiles.

C. Characters

The Character tiles are numbered from one to nine and are represented by Chinese characters. Each number is repeated four times, making a total of 36 Character tiles.

D. Next Festival

The Next Festival tiles are special tiles that represent the four major festivals in China: Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Winter Solstice Festival.

E. Serials

The Serial tiles are numbered from one to four and are represented by four different colors: green, red, blue, and black. Each number is repeated four times, making a total of 16 Serial tiles.

F. Winds

The Wind tiles are represented by four different Chinese characters that represent the four directions: East, South, West, and North. Each Wind tile is repeated four times, making a total of 16 Wind tiles.

G. Dragons

The Dragon tiles are represented by three different Chinese characters that represent the Red Dragon, Green Dragon, and White Dragon. Each Dragon tile is repeated four times, making a total of 12 Dragon tiles.

H. Chinese paper-cuts

The Chinese paper-cuts tiles are special tiles that have decorative patterns that represent Chinese culture.

I. Honor tiles

The Honor tiles are special tiles that represent the four seasons and the four flowers: plum, orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo. Each Honor tile is repeated four times, making a total of 16 Honor tiles.

J. Seasonal Flowers

The Seasonal Flower tiles are special tiles that represent the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

K. Seasons

The Season tiles are special tiles that represent the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

L. Full Mahjong Set

A Full Mahjong Set consists of 144 tiles that include all the categories of tiles mentioned above.

How to Play Chinese Mahjong?

A set of 144 tiles, including honour and flower tiles as well as tiles with numbers one through nine in three separate suits, are used to play Chinese Mahjong.

To win the game, you must assemble sets of three or four similar tiles, known as melds or pungs (three identical tiles or four identical tiles) (a run of three tiles in the same suit, such as 1, 2, and 3 bamboo).

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to play Chinese Mahjong:

Pong, Chow, Kong

In Chinese Mahjong, there are three main kinds of sets: pong, chow, and kong. A chow is a series of three tiles in the same suit, whereas a pong is a set of three identical tiles. Four similar tiles make up a set called a kong.

Call out “pong!” and place the set face-up on the table if you have three of the same tile in your hand. You can yell out “chow!” and place the set face-up on the table if you have two tiles in your hand and a third tile from another player that together make up a chow.

You can shout “kong!” and place the set face-up on the board if you have four of the same tile in your hand.

The Objective, Setup, The Play, Game End

Becoming the first player to assemble a full hand of four sets and a pair is the aim of Chinese Mahjong. The game starts with 13 tiles for each player, and players take turns drawing and getting rid of tiles until one person has their full hand. Each player rolls the dice to decide who goes first at the start of the game.

Each player starts by building a wall of face-down tiles in front of them. The next step is for each player to roll a die to decide where to break the wall and start drawing tiles. Players alternately draw a tile from the wall and toss a tile from their hand when the wall has been broken. To finish a set, a player may also accept a player’s abandoned tile.

After a player has finished their hand or when there are no more tiles in the wall, the game is over. A player receives bonus points for winning on a self-draw if they draw a tile from the wall.

Special Hands

Chinese Mahjong offers players a variety of special hands they can attempt to generate for bonus points. One of each of the 13 terminal and honour tiles makes up the hand known as “Thirteen Orphans,” for instance. Another illustration is the Pure One Suit hand, which consists solely of tiles from a single suit.

Mahjong Museums

There are many museums dedicated to the history and culture of mahjong, including Chinese Mahjong. In Singapore, the National Museum of Singapore has a collection of mahjong sets on display, and visitors can learn about the game’s history and cultural significance.

Advantages of Playing Chinese Mahjong Compared to Other Mahjong Variations

Mahjong is a popular game that is enjoyed by people all over the world. There are different variations of mahjong, and Chinese mahjong is one of the most popular. Here are some advantages of playing Chinese mahjong compared to other mahjong variations:

a. Easy to Learn

Chinese Mahjong is one of the simpler forms of mahjong to learn compared to other mahjong variants. You can begin playing the game as soon as you grasp its fundamentals. The goal of the game is to arrange sets of tiles in a particular pattern in order to win.

The game’s simplicity makes it simple for beginners to pick up, and playing it can be a lot of fun.

b. Availability

Chinese Mahjong is a game that is readily accessible throughout the world. Chinese Mahjong sets, books, and instructions are simple to find online or at nearby game stores. Everybody who wants to learn and play the game now has access to it.

c. Rich Cultural Heritage

Chinese mahjong has a long history and a rich cultural legacy. The game has a long history in Chinese culture and has been enjoyed by many families over the years. Learning more about Chinese culture and history can be accomplished by playing Chinese Mahjong.

d. Social Activity

Chinese Mahjong is a cooperative game that can be played with loved ones. Players must interact and converse with one another in order to complete the game, which can be a fantastic method to develop relationships. Another entertaining approach to meet new people and create friends is to play Chinese Mahjong.

Tips to Win Chinese Mahjong

Winning at Chinese mahjong requires strategy, skill, and a bit of luck. Here are some tips to help you improve your chances of winning:

– Plan Ahead

Chinese Mahjong requires strategic planning if you want to succeed. Find out what sets other players are creating by observing the tiles they are discarding. You can avoid doing this by keeping the tiles that other players require to finish their sets.

– Watch the Discard Pile

The discard pile is a crucial component of the game and can provide you with significant knowledge regarding the tiles that other players need. Keep a watch on the tiles that are being thrown away and try to make use of this knowledge.

– Keep Your Options Open

In Chinese Mahjong, it’s crucial to be adaptable and keep your choices open. Avoid becoming overly fixated on creating a single set because this can restrict your possibilities and make winning more difficult.

Rather, make an effort to maintain an open mind and to be prepared to modify your plan in light of the tiles that are currently available.

– Practice, Practice, Practice

Chinese Mahjong success requires practise, just like any other ability. You will become better at the game the more you play. To pick up new tricks and hone your talents, try playing with several teams.

Final Thoughts

As a whole, Chinese mahjong is a fascinating game with a long cultural past that is loved by people everywhere. There are numerous resources online and in nearby gaming stores if you’re interested in learning how to play. Playing Chinese mahjong can be a lot of fun and you may increase your chances of winning by using the advice in this article and practising frequently.

Last but not least, make sure to visit Betting Valley if you’re searching for a trustworthy and dependable online casino review and casino games guide in Singapore. On our website, you will find guidelines for a number of casino games, including Chinese mahjong, as well as thorough reviews of the best online casinos. You can find the top online casino with our assistance.

FAQ

A. What is Chinese mahjong?

Chinese mahjong is a traditional Chinese tile-based game that originated in the Qing dynasty. The game is played with a set of 144 tiles, featuring various Chinese characters and symbols, and is commonly played with four players. The objective of the game is to create sets of tiles, including a pair and four sets of three, to form a complete hand.

B. Is Chinese mahjong hard to learn?

Like any new game, Chinese mahjong may seem challenging to learn at first. However, with practice and patience, it can become an enjoyable and rewarding experience. The rules may seem complex at first, but players can start with the basics and gradually learn more advanced strategies as they become more familiar with the game.

C. What is the difference between American Mahjong and Chinese mahjong?

Although the game’s fundamental rules are the same in both cultures, Chinese and American mahjong differ in a number of ways. The amount of tiles used in the game is one of the biggest distinctions between the two variations; Chinese mahjong utilises a set of 144 tiles, whilst American mahjong uses a set of 152.

D. How is Chinese mahjong played?

Shuffle the tiles and arrange them into a wall on the table before starting the game of Chinese Mahjong. Players then take turns rolling the dice to break the wall. The next step is for each player to receive 13 tiles, and the goal is to create sets of tiles, including a pair, to build a complete hand.

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