Etiquette in mahjong: Difference between revisions

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The [[mahjong|game]] also offers some guidelines on game '''etiquette'''. Not necessarily enforceable via the games rules, they are still important to maintain a positive game environment. Depending on the decorum, the level of etiquette may vary given different environments and settings.  Professional mahjong settings require very high level etiquette standards.  In contrast, casual games among friends may be played with lower levels of etiquette.
While not part of the rules directly, '''etiquette''' should be followed when playing any sort of mahjong. They are important to maintain a positive game environment. In more casual settings, the etiquette can be relaxed.


== Etiquette principles ==
== Etiquette principles ==
Much of the etiquette stems on one simple principle: '''Respect for the game and respect for the players'''.  As long as players can adhere to this concept, then everyone at the mahjong table can play with a positive game environment. Yet, levels of etiquette will vary by decorum. Professional settings require a very high level of etiquette, by which a break in protocol may warrant some penalties or some disciplinary action.  On the other hand, casual settings provide a more relaxed environment, especially in a game played among friends.  Given the setting, players should be aware of the level of etiquette, warranted by the playing environment.
Much of the etiquette stems on one simple principle: '''Respect for the game and respect for the players'''.  As long as players can adhere to this concept, then everyone at the mahjong table can play with a positive game environment.  
 
The exact level of expectation will vary by decorum. Professional settings require a very high level of etiquette, by which a break in protocol may warrant some penalties or some disciplinary action.  On the other hand, casual settings provide a more relaxed environment, especially in a game played among friends.


== Specific guidelines ==
== Specific guidelines ==
A number of guidelines point to specific aspects to the game.
A number of guidelines point to specific aspects to the game.
=== Knowledge ===
If you are relatively new to the game, it's ok to not get these right away, if the group tolerates it. However, experienced players are expected to know these.
*Make sure to know the [[rule variations]] used in the current game.
*Pay attention to the game state - current round, round wind, seat wind, honba, etc.
*Know how to calculate your hand's [[han]], [[fu]], and point value quickly.
*Know what types of tiles you want to call on before they are discarded.


=== Handling of tiles ===
=== Handling of tiles ===
*Try to play quickly. If everyone played slowly, the game would take ages. 5s/turn (the norm for online clients) is a good baseline. Remember that, since you have to physically draw and discard tiles, playing with tiles feels faster than playing online.
*Do not touch another player's wall or tiles without good reason.
*When making the walls, you should push them forward a bit to make them easier to reach. Don't push them when gameplay starts unless someone asks.
*Do not draw your tile before the previous player has made a discard (outside of ''very'' casual settings). Picking up the tile right after the discard is OK; if an opponent calls pon and skips your turn, just put it back.
*Draw and discard tiles with only one hand (using the same hand for both). This decreases the perception of cheating.
*Do not slam tiles on the table.
*When winning by [[tsumo]], do not put the winning tile in the middle of the hand. Put the winning tile separated from the hand, then reveal the hand when winning.
**In serious settings, putting the tile inside your hand before winning can invalidate [[pinfu]] or the extra fu from waits like [[tanki]] (people can't prove which tile was the winning one, thus it can't be proven which wait you had).
*When winning by [[ron]], do not grab the winning tile from the other player's pond.
*Reveal the [[ura dora]] on the table so that people can see it.


=== Point exchanges ===
=== Point exchanges ===
Point exchanges are best done efficiently and with proper display.
*Point exchanges are best done efficiently and with proper display. Instead of paying a 3900 hand with three 1000 sticks and 900 points, it is more efficient to give a 5000 point stick while receiving 1100 points in return.
 
*Do not hand point sticks directly to players. Instead, place the proper amount of points in the play area. This lets all players see the point exchange clearly.
When paying points, players may have the tendency to retain their larger [[Tenbou|point sticks]] in order to make their score appear larger.  However, it makes no difference, as a player's score is the player's current score.  A specific example is a deal in for 3900.  Instead of giving away three 1000 sticks and 900 points, it is more efficient to give a 5000 point stick while receiving 1100 points in return.
*If possible, players should try to retain at least one 1000 point stick in possession at all times. If out of 1000 point sticks, players should exchange larger sticks to attain change from another player. This exchange is best done just before the next tile shuffle. However, if necessary, you should ask before declaring a riichi. Asking for change any other time is considered disruptive.
 
To pay with point sticks, players should place the proper amounts on the play area. This allows all players on the table to see the point exchange, whether the amounts exchanged are the proper amounts.  Naturally, the points should be placed on the table directly, rather than being thrown or directly into another player's pile.
 
If possible, players should try to retain at least one 1000 point stick in possession at all times. If necessary, players may exchange larger sticks in order to attain change from the player in possession of many. This exchange is best done just before the next tile shuffle. Though, if necessary, the exchange can be done during a riichi call. Finally, it can be disruptive to gameplay during any other time throughout a hand.
 
=== Tile discarding ===


=== Verbal cues ===
=== Verbal cues ===
*Have a poker face. (This also helps with gameplay!)
*Calling:
**When calling for pon/kan, do so as soon as the discarded tile is played.
**When calling for chii, wait a few moments to let other players call pon, then call before the next player's turn.
**These guidelines prevent the situation where: a player calls chii, revealing that they want that tile, then another player calls pon to deny said chii.
*Don't be too loud.
*Be gracious. Don't be too dramatic when you had a big hand but couldn't win. Don't be a sore loser after a losing streak. We get it, it feels bad. Similarly, don't gloat or provoke others when you win big.
*When winning a hand, it may or may not be expected to call your yaku when winning (e.g. "Ron. Chun, 1 dora. 2000 points"). In Western tournaments, players often call out each yaku. In [[jansou|mahjong parlors]], just say the point value directly.


== External links ==
== External links ==
[[Category:Game customs]]
{{Youtube
{{Youtube
| url        = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97rviFyLFlw
| url        = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97rviFyLFlw
Line 29: Line 52:
}}
}}
* [https://ameblo.jp/laponmahjong/entry-12259145340.html LAPOM article on etiquette]
* [https://ameblo.jp/laponmahjong/entry-12259145340.html LAPOM article on etiquette]
* [https://riichireporter.com/yoroshiku-onegai-shimasu/ Riichi Reporter article]

Latest revision as of 13:33, 11 April 2024

While not part of the rules directly, etiquette should be followed when playing any sort of mahjong. They are important to maintain a positive game environment. In more casual settings, the etiquette can be relaxed.

Etiquette principles

Much of the etiquette stems on one simple principle: Respect for the game and respect for the players. As long as players can adhere to this concept, then everyone at the mahjong table can play with a positive game environment.

The exact level of expectation will vary by decorum. Professional settings require a very high level of etiquette, by which a break in protocol may warrant some penalties or some disciplinary action. On the other hand, casual settings provide a more relaxed environment, especially in a game played among friends.

Specific guidelines

A number of guidelines point to specific aspects to the game.

Knowledge

If you are relatively new to the game, it's ok to not get these right away, if the group tolerates it. However, experienced players are expected to know these.

  • Make sure to know the rule variations used in the current game.
  • Pay attention to the game state - current round, round wind, seat wind, honba, etc.
  • Know how to calculate your hand's han, fu, and point value quickly.
  • Know what types of tiles you want to call on before they are discarded.

Handling of tiles

  • Try to play quickly. If everyone played slowly, the game would take ages. 5s/turn (the norm for online clients) is a good baseline. Remember that, since you have to physically draw and discard tiles, playing with tiles feels faster than playing online.
  • Do not touch another player's wall or tiles without good reason.
  • When making the walls, you should push them forward a bit to make them easier to reach. Don't push them when gameplay starts unless someone asks.
  • Do not draw your tile before the previous player has made a discard (outside of very casual settings). Picking up the tile right after the discard is OK; if an opponent calls pon and skips your turn, just put it back.
  • Draw and discard tiles with only one hand (using the same hand for both). This decreases the perception of cheating.
  • Do not slam tiles on the table.
  • When winning by tsumo, do not put the winning tile in the middle of the hand. Put the winning tile separated from the hand, then reveal the hand when winning.
    • In serious settings, putting the tile inside your hand before winning can invalidate pinfu or the extra fu from waits like tanki (people can't prove which tile was the winning one, thus it can't be proven which wait you had).
  • When winning by ron, do not grab the winning tile from the other player's pond.
  • Reveal the ura dora on the table so that people can see it.

Point exchanges

  • Point exchanges are best done efficiently and with proper display. Instead of paying a 3900 hand with three 1000 sticks and 900 points, it is more efficient to give a 5000 point stick while receiving 1100 points in return.
  • Do not hand point sticks directly to players. Instead, place the proper amount of points in the play area. This lets all players see the point exchange clearly.
  • If possible, players should try to retain at least one 1000 point stick in possession at all times. If out of 1000 point sticks, players should exchange larger sticks to attain change from another player. This exchange is best done just before the next tile shuffle. However, if necessary, you should ask before declaring a riichi. Asking for change any other time is considered disruptive.

Verbal cues

  • Have a poker face. (This also helps with gameplay!)
  • Calling:
    • When calling for pon/kan, do so as soon as the discarded tile is played.
    • When calling for chii, wait a few moments to let other players call pon, then call before the next player's turn.
    • These guidelines prevent the situation where: a player calls chii, revealing that they want that tile, then another player calls pon to deny said chii.
  • Don't be too loud.
  • Be gracious. Don't be too dramatic when you had a big hand but couldn't win. Don't be a sore loser after a losing streak. We get it, it feels bad. Similarly, don't gloat or provoke others when you win big.
  • When winning a hand, it may or may not be expected to call your yaku when winning (e.g. "Ron. Chun, 1 dora. 2000 points"). In Western tournaments, players often call out each yaku. In mahjong parlors, just say the point value directly.

External links

Etiquette video produced by Kenko mahjong
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