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Japanese mahjong is quite complex with its many rules and special cases. This | Japanese mahjong is quite complex with its many rules and special cases. This article is a brief and quick layout to the most basic rules of the game, just to get new players started. For more detailed documentation on the rules, see [[Japanese mahjong]], as well as other articles covering various game topics. | ||
== Tiles and suits == | == Tiles and suits == | ||
{{main|Mahjong equipment}} | |||
* Mahjong is played by four players | * Mahjong is played by four players | ||
* These tiles work similar to playing cards | * These tiles work similar to playing cards | ||
* All in all, there are 34 tile types | * All in all, there are 34 tile types | ||
* There are 4 copies each | |||
* In total, there are 136 tiles | * In total, there are 136 tiles | ||
* The following are the three main suits, plus a class of "honor" tiles: | * The following are the three main suits, plus a class of "honor" tiles: | ||
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{| | {| | ||
|{{ #mjt:123456789m }} | |{{ #mjt:123456789m }} | ||
|36 tiles in the ''man'' suit | |36 tiles in the '''[[manzu|man]]''' suit | ||
|- | |- | ||
|{{ #mjt:123456789p }} | |{{ #mjt:123456789p }} | ||
|36 tiles in the ''pin'' suit | |36 tiles in the '''[[pinzu|pin]]''' suit | ||
|- | |- | ||
|{{ #mjt:123456789s }} | |{{ #mjt:123456789s }} | ||
|36 tiles in the ''sou'' suit | |36 tiles in the '''[[souzu|sou]]''' suit | ||
|- | |- | ||
|{{ #mjt:1234567z }} | |{{ #mjt:1234567z }} | ||
|28 honor tiles | |28 [[Jihai|honor tiles]] | ||
|} | |} | ||
== Setup == | == Setup == | ||
[[image:setup.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Mahjong tiles at the initial setup before tiles are dealt.]] | |||
* After tiles are shuffled, the players build walls of face-down tiles | * After tiles are shuffled, the players build walls of face-down tiles | ||
* Each wall is 17 tiles long, double stacked | * Each wall is 17 tiles long, double stacked | ||
* The four walls serve as a stockpile to draw tiles from | * The four walls serve as a stockpile to draw tiles from | ||
* Each player starts with 25000 points | * Each player starts with 25000 points | ||
* Point sticks are used to keep score, when playing with real tiles | |||
== Starting the deal == | === Starting the deal === | ||
* At the start of each hand after the walls are built, players are dealt 13 tiles each | * At the start of each hand after the walls are built, players are dealt 13 tiles each | ||
* One player throughout the game is designated as the dealer, marked by an indicator | * One player throughout the game is designated as the dealer, marked by an indicator | ||
* The dealer is begins by rolling the dice, to determine the wall break | * The dealer is begins by rolling the dice, to determine the wall break | ||
== | === Seating positions === | ||
{{main|Jikaze}} | |||
* The dealer is always seated East | * The dealer is always seated East | ||
* Player to the right of the dealer is South | * Player to the right of the dealer is South | ||
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===Yaku=== | ===Yaku=== | ||
{{main|List of yaku}} <!--link used at least three times here for emphasis--> | |||
* A winning hand must have at least one [[List of yaku|yaku]] (see [[List of yaku|the list]] for pattern examples) | * A winning hand must have at least one [[List of yaku|yaku]] (see [[List of yaku|the list]] for pattern examples) | ||
* A yaku is a special condition under which the win occurs, or a distinguished pattern within the hand's tiles | * A yaku is a special condition under which the win occurs, or a distinguished pattern within the hand's tiles | ||
* These patterns may be viewed like poker hands | * These patterns may be viewed like poker hands | ||
* Hands may have a combination of different yaku | * Hands may have a combination of different yaku | ||
* Hand value is primarily based | * Hand value is primarily based on your yaku patterns | ||
* Not all yaku are pattern-based, and it is not required to have a pattern-based yaku to win (e.g., you may win with riichi alone) | |||
== Strategy == | == Strategy == | ||
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* Yet, players may continue to play the game simply building hands, without or with limited knowledge of the yaku | * Yet, players may continue to play the game simply building hands, without or with limited knowledge of the yaku | ||
== | ==See also== | ||
* [[Japanese mahjong]] | |||
* [ | * [[Tenhou.net rules]] | ||
* [ | * [[EMA rules]] | ||
== | ==External links== | ||
[[Category:Game rules]] | |||
===Play sites=== | |||
* [http://www.tenhou.net Tenhou.net] | |||
: Select choice for English speakers ([[Tenhou.net rules]]) | |||
* [http://www.gamedesign.jp/flash/mahjong/mahjong_e.html Japanese Mahjong flash] | |||
: Flash version of the game | |||
* [[ | ===Sources and guides=== | ||
* [ | * [http://www.uspml.com/downloads.htm USPML rules and English language guide] | ||
* | * [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh0brmqq4sk&list=PLDC9453A66D5D2CA7 Japanese Mahjong Walkthrough by HanaYoriUta] | ||
* [http://www.japanesemahjong.com Mahjong for Dummies] | |||
* [http://osamuko.com/japanese-general-laws-of-mahjong/ General Laws] | |||