Mahjong is a social game that originated from China during the Qing dynasty. Over the years, it has grown in popularity and is now enjoyed all over the world. With the expansion of technology, Mahjong can now also be played online and is a game that blends strategy, skill, and chance. From families playing together during dinners to friends meeting at Mahjong parlors, it has definitely earned the reputation of being more than just a game. It fosters camaraderie and helps people forge everlasting memories. With no age and cultural barriers, it makes room for everyone to enjoy the game, engage in friendly competition, cultivate patience, and enhance strategic skills.
The game of Mahjong Online is extremely captivating because of how distinct and engaging it is. The game consists of 144 tiles that are divided into different categories, meaning there are three main suits, honor tiles, bonus tiles, and more. Every category is unique, adding complexity and depth to the game.
The three essential suits in Mahjong are:
Bamboos: Represented by a series of vertical lines or sticks of bamboo. The tiles depicting bamboo are sequentially numbered from 1 to 9 with each corresponding to a specific tile.
Circles: Represented by a geometrical pattern of a rounded shape which are numbered from 1 to 9. These tiles are distinct and easily recognizable because of their simple geometric design.
Characters: Represented by Chinese symbols and also numbered from 1 to 9. The character tiles often depict numerals that represent, “one”, “two”, “three” and so forth.
Honor Tiles have a special purpose in this game, so they are different from the normal suits:
Wind Tiles: A set of four Wind tiles is available, each for one of the four cardinal directions, namely East, South, West and North. These tiles assist in completing strong hands and can be critical in pleasant combinations.
Dragon Tiles: The Red, Green, and White Dragons represent the tiles. These tiles are some of the most valuable in Mahjong, and they can complete powerful sets.
Flower and Season tiles are bonus tiles that help you score additional points, although they aren't as crucial to every single hand.
Flower Tiles: Each of the four distinct flower tiles - spring, summer, autumn, and winter - represent one of the four seasons, and are awarded bonus points when drawn.
Season Tiles: Similar to flower tiles, the season tiles equally represent the four seasons and give more points too.
Walls are crucial, just like the previously discussed bonuses. These are tiles that the players will draw from during their turns. The Wall consists of face-down piles of all 144 tiles, and players take turns drawing tiles from the wall.
Players try to complete tile combinations that will score them points in a huge way, no pun intended. Some of these combos are not so hard, but then there others that are far more intricate and elusive, as is with the scoring Thirteen Orphans Hand.
All players have a quadrant that they are assigned to as their primary direction, be it Shift East or North. The player in the East position usually has it easier opening the round, and is typically given more chances to earn further points.
Every participant has an initial 13 tiles and draws a single tile at the beginning of every turn. After a tile is drawn, a player discards a tile from their hand, aiming to form the best combination possible with Pung (three of a kind), Chow (sequence), or Kong (four of a kind).
What counts is not only the game itself but also the social interaction surrounding it. This game also promotes the exchange of ideas and good-natured rivalry.
With a game history that dates centuries ago to the Chinese elite, Mahjong has developed and evolved into a global boast enjoyed by millions. Understanding the development of this game is important in appreciating Chinese culture and sheds light on how such a social phenomenon has been created.
The roots of Mahjong are pretty mysterious, there are a couple of theories that state it was created around the 1800s during the Qing Dynasty. The game was primarily enjoyed by the upper classes, where they played it in private courts.
Mahjong started to spread beyond the upper classes during the later part of the Qing period. It quickly grew in popularity among the middle and lower class folks, especially in Shanghai, where it was branded as a social game for everyone.
In the 1900s, Mahjong went to different countries. It reached Japan in the 1920s, and with all the new rules and versions of the game, it soon became a favorite pastime in Japan. Today, Mahjong has developed into an international game that allows everyone to connect and play. From a game, Mahjong has evolved into a part of cultural history that adapts to the world, and it is unique in its own way.
The enjoyment of Mahjong requires a playing participant to figure out its basic rules and setup for the game. It is important to note that rules in Mahjong can change with different localities, although its structure largely remains unchanged.
Four players are usually present for a game of mahjong. Players are assigned using the four cardinal points; East, South, West, and North. The East player is the first dealer during the first round and therefore has the first turn for drawing tiles which gives them a slight edge.
A game of mahjong has a total of 144 tiles to play with. These tiles are further broken down into various categories:
At the start of the game, each player is given 13 tiles and for each turn, a player draws one tile, then discards one offered in return. The objective is to complete one pair and four sets (Pung, Chow, or Kong). A Pung is a set of three identical tiles, a Chow is a sequence of three numbers in a tile, while a Kong is four of identical tiles.
In mahjong, the winning hand consists of a pair together with four sets. Players aim to create this winning hand and notify other players when they declare a win by completing the hand with their drawn tile or claimed tile.
Players take turns drawing tiles from the wall, each round is made up of drawing a tile, discarding a tile, and then passing on the turn for the following player to do the same. The players can either decide to take a discarded tile to make a set or use the tiles they have drawn.
When the setup and rules are comprehended, playing becomes much easier and fun. Mahjong has multiple strategies that one can adopt.
Players take turns picking up tiles from the top of the wall and discarding the tiles that they do not need. The tiles that are set aside are placed in the center for players to pick.
Your ultimate target during the course of the game is to make a winning set which in order to do so, you need to have four sets and one pair. The strategy lies in intertwining between picking tiles to build sets, retaining hand mobility, and not allowing the opponents to complete their hands.
Winning Sit N Go games, a form of poker, does not happen by mere luck; ‘Winning is 90% dependence on skill and strategy and 10% luck.’ Here are some basic tips on how to increase your chances of winning:
Even the exceptional players have one flaw while playing Mahjong; flexing their skills. Do not stick with one strategy too early in the game.
Think twice before discarding any hands. While you aim is to discard cards useless for your hand, one should also keep in mind that whatever is discarded should never be a part that is capable of helping your opponents.
Be on the lookout for any remaining cards in the wall. This can help you figure out what is still in the circulation and what has yet to show up.
There are countless reasons and while one overstudies to the point where it simply becomes a dilemma of untangling a mess, one major reason is that it is a very simple challenge, and the various skills that are used to perform it can culminate over time and benefit growth as a whole.
Those who play Mahjong pick up memorization and precision skills automatically. Players have to keep track of the discarded and remaining tiles along with the possible ‘hand’ combinations ready.
Similar to many board games, mahjong requires some strategies and steps ahead of the current position while keeping a close eye on moves. This game is excellent for enhancing one’s logical skills and developing problem-solving techniques in real-time.
Playing the revived version of “Mahjong” demands a lot of social interaction and communication. Building relationships with people is the focal point of this game whether it is played solo or in a group setting of family or friends.
Even the most experienced players can tend to make miscalculations while playing Mahjong. To increase your probability of winning, try to steer clear from the following common mistakes:
Maintaining more than two sets of high-value tiles with the intention of completing toward the latter is risky. These tiles are harder to keep in play sets, resulting in not having enough tiles to win, or increasing the chance of losing when the game is over.
It is often advisable to avoid relying too much on one particular approach. Staying too fixated on one strategy off the bat can be counterproductive. Your chances of beating the opponents depend on the pieces that are drawn and the actions they make.
To some extent, Mahjong is about being observant. Discarding tiles that assist your opponents in completing their hands is, at best, suicidal.
Mahjong is more than just a match and set game. It is a vibrant sport that has evolved over centuries, and even today, continues to attract the interest of many around the globe. Its strands in Chinese culture, blended with its capability of uniting people, makes it an exceptional and invaluable social interaction. Mahjong is a perfect platform to spend time with friends and family, boost cognitive response, and enjoy some leisure sport with competition and chance.
For those new to Mahjong, the first few games can feel overwhelming, compared to other multiplayer games. With time, parts of the game become manageable. Knowing the fundamental guidelines, starting tile combinations, and strategies are crucial, but as you begin to play more, the subtleties of the game will come naturally.
On average, people expect a Mahjong game to last only from 30 to 60 minutes. This time frame shifts based on the number of rounds played and the players’ experience.
Yes, Mahjong has many versions that can be played online, ranging from mobile apps to PC games. These versions allow users the freedom to play Mahjong with anyone from anywhere.
To become better at Mahjong, learn the rules, tile combinations, and how to strategize for the game. Always make sure to go with a plan that helps you adjust to what other players are doing and throw weaker tiles away to build a better hand.
A “Riichi” is a term in Japanese Mahjong that describes the moment a player indicates he is ready to win the match, which occurs when they need only one tile to do so. The player uses a marker to signal they are ready.
It is both a game of skill and a game of luck. While the tiles you pick are left to chance, how you form your hand and predict your opponents’ next steps requires a certain level of strategy and skill and quite a bit of flexibility.