Mahjong equipment: Difference between revisions

Of course, the proper equipment is needed in order to play [[Japanese mahjong]].  Naturally, mahjong tiles are used.  It is possible to play the game using printed cards; yet, it is actually cumbersome to do so.  In practice, tiles have been the most effective way to play the game in person.

 

The game is also available online, video games, and software.

Japanese mahjong sets usually come with 144 tiles in a case. For every tile, there is four of each type.  Usually, every tile is dual colored, with every tile having the same colored back side; and these colors vary from one set to another.  Some sets come with tiles whose front and back side are of the same color.  Even then, a specialized set called a "Washizu set" features 3 out of 4 tiles using transparent acrylic material.

For Japanese mahjong, 136 out of 144 tiles are used. The extra tiles are four red five [[dora]] tiles: one for manzu and souzu, and two for pinzu. To use these tiles, regular five tiles are switched with the red dora. The remaining four tiles are four flower tiles, which are not used at all.  Typically, Japanese tiles are individually about the size 16 mm x 19 mm x 26 mm (WLH).  Like most mahjong tile sets, these tiles are capable of standing on their own.

The tiles may be subgrouped in a couple different ways.  The first distinction is the separation by suits and tile types. Three groups of tiles form the numbered suits, while another group form the [[Jihai|honor tiles]], which can be further subdivided as [[sangenpai|dragons]] and [[kazehai|winds]].  Within the numbered suits, the tiles numbered 2 through 8 are composed of the [[tanyaohai|simples]], while the 1's and 9's are separated as the [[terminal|terminals]].

All tiles listed here follow the order used for [[dora]].

'''Souzu''' {{kana|索子}}, or '''sou''' {{kana|索}}, composes the bamboo or stick tiles. Ordered 1-9, it is special to note the 1-sou tile which is marked with a large bird instead of 1-stick to discourage cheating by tile alteration.

===Kazehai===

'''[[Kazehai]]''' {{kana|風牌}} are the wind tiles. They are indicated as East, South, West, and North. The wind tiles correlate to the [[Jikaze|player seating]], and so therefore, it is best to remember the wind tiles in the East, South, West, and North order, as they correspond to the seating order. Likewise, this is significant to note for [[yakuhai]].

'''[[Sangenpai]]''' {{kana|三元牌}} are the dragon tiles. They are known as the dragons: white, green, and red. Just noting their color is sufficient enough here.

Mahjong mats are materials used to provide mahjong tiles a softer surface to slide all over.  Naturally, the intent is to prevent or minimize the effect of friction onto the mahjong tiles.  After prolonged play, the tiles may eventually wear themselves out and no longer be deemed usable.

 

Mats come in various sizes, but they're all square shaped. Junk mats provide a plastic perimeter with slots for point sticks.

'''Tenbou''' {{kana|点棒}} are the '''point sticks''' used to keep track of scores. In a sense, these sticks may be viewed as the game's "currency".  When points are exchanged between players, they may either give exact values or give values while requiring some change. Some gambling games may actually tie these point sticks to money.

==Chips==

A dealer marker is used throughout the game to either indicate the current dealer, or the initial dealer. In the case of the latter, the dice are used to indicate the current dealer, as it gets passed around from one dealer to the next. It is also used to indicate the current round, either the [[East Round]] or [[South Round]].

'''Mahjong playing cards''' is an alternative material for the game.  Mahjong tile faces are printed as playing cards. They are considerably cheaper than mahjong tiles, but the game is not usually played with cards.