Articles
In-depth guides to learning and winning at mahjong β tiles, scoring, strategy, furiten, setup, and how the Chinese, Japanese and American versions differ.
Mahjong Tiles Explained: Suits, Honors and Special Tiles
A complete beginner guide to mahjong tiles β number suits, honor tiles, dragons, winds and the special sets used in American mahjong.
Riichi Mahjong Scoring Explained: Fan, Fu and Yakuman
How riichi mahjong points work β fan (han), fu, mangan and above, plus a quick yakuman list. Understand the score table without the jargon.
Classic Mahjong Fan List: The International Scoring Patterns
The full practical fan list used on this site for classic (International Standard) mahjong β pure one-suit, mixed one-suit, all pungs, seven pairs and more.
The 2026 American Mahjong Card Explained
How to read the NMJL 2026 card β the five sections, suit/color constraints, special tiles, and the hands you will actually build.
Mahjong Defense: Reading Danger and Avoiding Deal-Ins
Practical defense for riichi mahjong β dangerous discards, the furiten rule, genbutsu tiles, and when to fold.
Mahjong Terminology: A Bilingual Glossary
Every term you need β chi, pon, kan, riichi, tsumo, ron, furiten, tenpai and more β explained in plain language with the Chinese and Japanese terms.
The History of Mahjong: From Qing Dynasty to the World
Where mahjong comes from β its origins in 19th-century China, the 1920s global craze, and how it became Japan, America and the world game it is today.
Mahjong Variants Compared: Riichi, International and American
How Japanese riichi, Chinese International Standard and American Mah Jongg differ β tiles, rules, scoring, and which one you should try first.
The Charleston: American Mahjong's Passing Ritual Explained
How the Charleston works β three rounds of passing tiles, the optional second Charleston, and the courtesy pass. Everything you need before your first game.
Riichi Mahjong Yaku: The Complete List
Every yaku you need to win at riichi mahjong β 1-fan basics, 2-fan patterns, and the yakuman hands β with plain-language explanations.
How to Play Mahjong: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide
Start from zero: the tiles, the table, turns and calls, and your first winning hand β a plain-language guide for absolute beginners.
Mahjong: Luck vs Skill, Through the Lens of Probability
How much of mahjong is luck? A look at tile probabilities, expected value, efficiency, and the skills that turn a lucky start into a winning hand.
Chinese vs Japanese vs American Mahjong: What's the Difference?
The three main mahjong families compared β tile sets, winning rules, scoring and pace β plus which variant to learn first.
How to Win at Mahjong: Strategy for Beginners
A practical guide to winning more hands β tile efficiency, tenpai, calling, defense and the mistakes that lose games.
How to Set Up Mahjong: Tiles, Wall and Deal Explained
Step-by-step setup β tile set, shuffling, building the wall, breaking it, dealing, and the dealer rule, with common beginner mistakes.
Furiten in Riichi Mahjong: The Rule Every Player Gets Wrong
What furiten is, why it exists, temporary vs permanent furiten, self-draw furiten, and how to avoid it.
What Tile to Discard in Mahjong: Efficiency and Shanten Explained
A practical discard framework β shanten, tile efficiency, keeping the right shapes, safe discards, and the mistakes that slow your hand down.
Mahjong Etiquette: The Unwritten Rules Every Player Should Know
Table manners for mahjong β handling tiles, calling, staying quiet, and good sportsmanship in both live and online play.
American Mahjong Jokers: Rules, Substitutions and Strategy
How jokers work in American Mah Jongg β what they can and cannot replace, exchanging jokers, Charleston rules, and when to hold them.
Is Mahjong Hard to Learn? A Realistic Timeline for Beginners
Honest answer on the learning curve β how long the rules take, what is actually hard, and the fastest path from zero to your first win.