Mahjong Articles
Versi Indonesia →Guides, rules, and strategy for mahjong -- written for players from total beginners to those looking to play more seriously.
General
How to Choose a Good Physical Mahjong Set
Thinking about buying your first physical mahjong set? Here's a comparison of materials, sizes, and price ranges to consider before you buy.
Sep 24, 2026 · 5 min read
How Mahjong Score Sticks Work
When playing physical mahjong, score is often tracked with bamboo/plastic sticks instead of paper. Here's how it works, including the starting stick count per player.
Sep 24, 2026 · 4 min read
A Glossary of Common Mahjong Terms
A collection of 24 of the most commonly used mahjong terms, from basic to technical, each with a concrete explanation.
Sep 24, 2026 · 7 min read
How to Host a Fun Mahjong Night With Friends
Want to invite friends over for mahjong? Here's a full checklist, a sample schedule, and tips to keep the night running smoothly.
Sep 24, 2026 · 5 min read
Mahjong vs Rummy: Similarities and Differences
At a glance, mahjong and rummy feel similar -- both about forming sets and sequences. But there are many fundamental differences, broken down side by side.
Sep 24, 2026 · 5 min read
Popular Online Mahjong Platforms Right Now
If you want to play mahjong against real people online, here's a full comparison of popular platforms worth trying, from ranking systems to cost.
Sep 24, 2026 · 6 min read
Mahjong Etiquette Every Beginner Should Know
Beyond the official rules, there are unwritten habits that make a mahjong game more pleasant for everyone -- with concrete scenarios included.
Sep 24, 2026 · 5 min read
How Many Tiles Are in a Mahjong Set?
The short answer is 136 or 144, depending on the ruleset. Here's the full breakdown, including how many are actually used during play.
Sep 24, 2026 · 4 min read
The Meaning Behind Every Mahjong Tile Symbol
Every mahjong tile has its own meaning and origin behind its symbol. Here's the full explanation, including flower and season tiles.
Sep 24, 2026 · 6 min read
The History of Mahjong: From 19th-Century China to a Global Game
Mahjong has a history spanning over 150 years. Here's its full journey from China to becoming a worldwide game, with a complete timeline.
Sep 24, 2026 · 6 min read
Riichi Mahjong
Tobi (Bust) Rules: When a Player's Score Goes Negative
Many leagues and tournaments end a session early once a player's score goes negative. Here's the rule.
Sep 23, 2026 · 3 min read
Renchan Rules: When the Dealer Stays in Their Seat
The dealer doesn't always rotate every hand. Here are the renchan rules that decide when the dealer stays put.
Sep 23, 2026 · 4 min read
Round Wind vs Seat Wind: Don't Mix Them Up
Two different Wind concepts that beginners easily confuse. Here's the difference and when each counts as yakuhai.
Sep 23, 2026 · 4 min read
Wall Counting Basics for Judging Your Winning Odds
Counting how many copies of a tile remain unseen helps you judge whether your wait is realistic. Here are the basics.
Sep 23, 2026 · 5 min read
Reading Opponents' Discards (Kawa Reading) for Beginners
An opponent's discard history (kawa) holds a lot of information if you know how to read it. Here are the basics.
Sep 23, 2026 · 6 min read
Folding Strategy in Mahjong: When to Back Off
Sometimes the best decision in mahjong isn't chasing a win, but playing safe instead. Here's how to judge it.
Sep 23, 2026 · 6 min read
Full Kan Rules: Ankan, Minkan, and Shouminkan
There are three types of Kan, each with different consequences. Here's the full breakdown and their effects on fu, dora, and riichi.
Sep 23, 2026 · 5 min read
Nagashi Mangan: Winning Without Winning, via Discards
Nagashi Mangan is a special rule for when a hand ends in a draw -- you can score a Mangan-equivalent purely from your discards.
Sep 23, 2026 · 4 min read
Tenhou and Chiihou: The "Blessing of Heaven and Earth" Yakuman
Tenhou and Chiihou are two of the rarest yakuman since they're purely about the luck of the opening deal.
Sep 23, 2026 · 4 min read
Riichi Stick Rules: The 1000-Point Bet and Its Fate
Every riichi declaration requires a 1000-point bet as a stick. Here's how it works and who ends up claiming it.
Sep 23, 2026 · 4 min read
Aka Dora (Red Five): The Red 5 Tile That's Always Worth Dora
Aka Dora is a special red-printed 5 tile that automatically counts as extra dora. Here are the rules.
Sep 23, 2026 · 4 min read
Ura Dora vs Dora: What's the Difference?
Regular dora is revealed for everyone, Ura Dora is hidden and only for riichi winners. Here's the full breakdown.
Sep 23, 2026 · 4 min read
What Is Ippatsu and What Cancels It
Ippatsu grants a 1-han bonus if you win quickly after riichi. Here are the requirements and what breaks it.
Sep 23, 2026 · 3 min read
Tenpai vs Noten: Why Your Status Matters at the End of a Hand
When a hand ends with no winner, tenpai/noten status decides who pays whom. Here's how it works.
Sep 23, 2026 · 4 min read
What Is Furiten in Mahjong and How to Avoid It
Furiten is one of the rules that trips up beginners most often -- why can't you Ron even though your hand is tenpai?
Sep 23, 2026 · 5 min read
Daisangen Yakuman: All Three Dragon Triplets
Daisangen is a yakuman that's relatively easier to chase than most others. Here's how it works.
Sep 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Suuankou Yakuman: Four Closed Triplets
Suuankou is the yakuman version of Sanankou -- it needs all four sets closed at once. Here's the breakdown, including its rare double-value variant.
Sep 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Kokushi Musou Yakuman: The Thirteen Orphans Hand
Kokushi Musou has a completely unique hand shape -- no sets or a normal pair needed. Here's how it works.
Sep 22, 2026 · 5 min read
Sanankou Yaku: Three Closed Triplets
Sanankou needs three genuinely closed triplets, not ones formed via Pon. Here's how it differs from Toitoi.
Sep 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Chiitoitsu Yaku: Seven Different Pairs
Chiitoitsu has a uniquely shaped hand, separate from the usual 4-sets-plus-a-pair formula. Here's how it works.
Sep 22, 2026 · 5 min read
Iipeiko and Ryanpeikou Yaku: Twin Sequences
Iipeiko needs two identical sequences, Ryanpeikou needs two pairs of them. Both only work with a closed hand.
Sep 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Chanta and Junchan Yaku: A Terminal in Every Set
Chanta and Junchan look similar but differ in one important way regarding honor tiles. Here's the breakdown.
Sep 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Sanshoku Doujun Yaku: The Same Sequence Across Three Suits
Sanshoku Doujun happens when you have the exact same sequence across all three suits. Here's the full breakdown.
Sep 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Ittsuu Yaku: A Full 1-Through-9 Run in One Suit
Ittsuu needs three specific sequences in the same suit. Here's what it takes to form it.
Sep 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Chinitsu Yaku: A Pure Suit With No Honors
Chinitsu is one of the highest-value yaku that's still realistic, if your hand has leaned into one suit from the very start.
Sep 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Honitsu Yaku: One Suit Plus Honor Tiles
Honitsu is one of the more realistic high-value yaku to chase. Here's how it works and how it differs from Chinitsu.
Sep 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Toitoi Yaku: All Triplets, No Sequences
Toitoi completely changes how you play a hand -- collecting triplets instead of sequences. Here's how it works and what pairs with it.
Sep 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Yakuhai: Triplets of Valuable Tiles
Yakuhai is the fastest yaku to grab via Pon. Here's exactly which tiles qualify and what they're worth.
Sep 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Pinfu Yaku: The Full Requirements and Why Its Fu Is Always 30
Pinfu has more requirements than most basic yaku, but its result is consistent and easy to predict. Here's every condition.
Sep 22, 2026 · 5 min read
Tanyao Yaku: The Easiest Yaku for Beginners
Tanyao is one of the easiest, most flexible yaku in Riichi Mahjong. Here's how it works and why it suits open hands so well.
Sep 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Riichi Yaku: Requirements, Value, and Risk
A full breakdown of the Riichi yaku -- how to declare it, what it's worth, and why it's the signature yaku of Riichi Mahjong.
Sep 22, 2026 · 5 min read
Chinese Official Mahjong
The World Series of Mahjong (WSOM) Tournament Format
WSOM is one of the biggest international mahjong tournaments. Here's an overview of its format and rules.
Sep 25, 2026 · 4 min read
Chinese Official vs Riichi: A Scoring System Comparison
Two scoring systems with entirely different philosophies. Here's a direct comparison of fan vs fu/han.
Sep 25, 2026 · 5 min read
10 Chinese Official Mahjong Fan Patterns You'll See Most Often
Out of 80+ official fan patterns, these are the 10 most common and realistic to combine to hit the 8-fan minimum.
Sep 25, 2026 · 5 min read
Chinese Official Mahjong (Guobiao) Rules for Beginners
Chinese Official is the official standard for international competition. Here are the basic rules for those just starting out.
Sep 25, 2026 · 6 min read
Hong Kong Mahjong
Common House Rule Variations in Hong Kong Mahjong
Hong Kong Mahjong is known for having a lot of rule variation between groups. Here are some of the most commonly encountered ones.
Sep 25, 2026 · 4 min read
Special Hands in Hong Kong Mahjong
Beyond the usual fan patterns, Hong Kong Mahjong has several special hand shapes worth very high value.
Sep 25, 2026 · 4 min read
Hong Kong Mahjong Rules for Beginners
Hong Kong Mahjong is the most commonly played casual variant at home/in clubs. Here are the basic rules.
Sep 25, 2026 · 5 min read
