Introduction: Chinese Mahjong represents the original way to play the game. The American & Taiwanese version is a modification of the classic Chinese game.
Objective: The goal is to form a complete hand of 14 cards, made up of four valid sets— pungs (triplets), Kongs (quadruplets), or chows (sequences)—and one pair. The first player to complete this hand and call “Mahjong” wins the game.
Instructions
Step 1: Get Ready To Play
Remove blank cards, QR code cards, and all Joker, flower, and season cards; flowers are used only in the advanced game.
Step 2: The Charleston
There is no Charleston in Chinese Mahjong
Step 3: Setup & Seating
-
Each player rolls the dice; the highest becomes East (dealer).
-
Seats are assigned counter-clockwise: East → South → West → North. (Tip: “Eat Soup With Noodles” helps you remember the order.)
-
Each player is dealt 13 cards by the dealer (East); East receives 14 cards.
-
The remaining cards are placed face down in the center to form the draw pile.
Step 4: Play
Once all players have sorted the cards dealt to them, East discards first; play then continues to the right.
On each turn, a player may either claim the most recent discarded card or draw a card from the center draw pile, then discards one card.
Step 5: Claiming & Calling
When claiming a discard to complete a set, state and lay down the type of set you are forming:
-
Pung — a set of three identical cards.
-
Kong — a set of four identical cards. When you declare a Kong, you immediately draw a replacement card from the back of the draw pile and then discard one card to return your hand to 13 cards.
-
Chow — a set of three numerically consecutive cards, such as 6‑7‑8 or 3-4-5 in any suit (can only be claimed from the player on your left).
You can claim a discard to complete any set needed to call Mahjong, including your pair. However, you cannot claim a discard solely to form a pair during the game.
Claiming Priority: When multiple players want to claim the same discard, the order of priority is:
-
Win (Mahjong): claim a discard to complete your hand.
-
Pung or Kong: claim a discard to complete a set of three (Pung) or four (Kong).
-
Chow: claim a discard to complete a sequence of three cards (only from the player on your left).
After successfully claiming a discard, play passes to the right.
Step 6: Winning The Hand
As soon as a player completes a hand, they call “Mahjong,” lay down all remaining cards in hand, and verify their hand to claim victory.
(If the deck is exhausted before anyone wins, the round is void and no points are scored)
Step 7: Scoring
Scoring is much more elaborate in Chinese Mahjong than in the American version.
First, score for the value of sets formed, then add any bonuses earned. All players may score something, but must pay each other, as shown below. The player who goes mahjong pays nothing.
East, as noted below, doubles the points they must pay to any player, and also collects double if other players owe them. A player always pays those who have earned a greater score.
For example, let’s say South went mahjong and scored 24 points, West scored 6, North 36, and East 16.
Here’s what each player pays. First the winner, South, collects:
-
West pays South what South earned: 24 points.
-
North also pays South 24 points.
-
East pays South double, so 48 points.
Then players pay each other, as follows:
-
West pays North 30 points (36 - 6)
-
East pays North 40 (36 – 16 doubled)
-
West pays East 20 (16 - 6 doubled)
Doubling is a powerful element of Chinese mahjong. If you’ve earned several doubles, all of them count. For example, if you have 3 Red Dragons, 4 of your own Wind, and all other cards are of the same suit, you’ve earned three doubles. These sets combined have earned you 40 points. But now you double once for your own Wind (80 points), then again for the Dragons (160 points), and once again for having all of the same suit—for a whopping 320 points!
Step 8: Playing The Next Round
Now the player to the right of the last dealer becomes East. They shuffle and deal a new hand. The play continues until each player has been East once. The highest score wins!
Adding the Flower Cards - Advanced Rule
You may choose to include the eight flower/season cards. Whenever you draw one or are dealt one, you must immediately lay it down on the table and draw a replacement card. If you call Mahjong, each flower card laid down scores one extra point before bonuses are determined. However if you have all four Flowers or all Four season cards, you also earn THREE doubles!
Note: Jokers are never used in Chinese Mahjong.
Rules for 3 Players: There is no West Wind player in this game. Play is otherwise the same.
Rules for 5 Players: Seat the fifth player between East and North. This player is named "North-East
Wind." Introduce four Flower cards into the deck. These are known as "North East Wind" and count as wind cards, especially for the North East Wind player.
Rules for 6 Players: Add another seat, this one between South and West. This player is the "South- West Wind." Add all 8 Flowers into the deck. They are known as "Extra Wind" cards. Any three or four can be formed into a set of extra Winds. If North-East and/or South-West collect a set of these, they score double for having done so. Deal only 10 cards per hand to each player (I| to East). To win, Il cards total need
to be formed into sets, namely three pungs and one pair. Kongs cannot be formed.
Quick Tips & Reminders
-
Discards: Go face-up in a central pile — it may look messy, but it helps everyone keep track.
-
Replacement Cards: Always draw after claiming a discard or declaring a Kong.
-
Flowers & Seasons: (Advanced rule) Always draw a replacement card after setting aside a Flower or Season.
-
Strategy: Play smart, discard smarter — think ahead before discarding to avoid helping your opponents.
-
House Rules & Variations: Before starting the game, discuss any variations or special rules with your table. Agreeing on them in advance keeps the game fair and fun for everyone.
Points for Each | Sets Formed |
|---|---|
2 | Pung of 2's through 8's |
4 | Pung of I's or 9's |
4 | Pung of a Wind or Dragon |
8 | Kong of 2's through 8's |
16 | Kong of I's or 9's |
16 | Kong of Winds or Dragons |
2 | Pair of Dragons or own Win |
0 | Chows |
Points Added | Bonus Conditions |
|---|---|
20 | If you call Mahjong! |
Double Basic Points | All your sets are concealed in hand |
10 | No Chows formed |
2 | Draw the last card needed to call Mahjong! |
Double Basic Points | Have a pung or kong of Dragons |
Double Basic Points | Have a pung or kong of your own Wind |
Double Three Times | All sets are made of one suit |
Double Three Times | All sets are made of Winds & Dragons only |
East Wind Always Earns/ Pays Double | East Wind Reminder |
