Types of Mahjong Tiles
Mahjong tiles come in various types, including Bamboo, Dots, Characters, and Honor tiles. Each tile has
unique designs and rules associated with them.
1、 Character Tiles: From One Character to Nine Characters, 4 tiles
each, totaling 36 tiles.
2、Dots Tiles: From One Dot to Nine Dots, 4 tiles each,
totaling 36 tiles. In some regions, they are called "Cakes," ranging from One Cake to Nine
Cakes.
3、Bamboo Tiles: From One Bamboo to Nine Bamboos, 4 tiles each,
totaling 36 tiles.
Mahjong Rules
Learn the fundamental rules of Mahjong, including how to form sets, declare “Hu,”
(For example, Sichuan Mahjong):
(1)
Ping Hu (Basic Win), one set, four melded sets and one pair.
(2)
Duì Duì Hu (All Pungs): The player's hand consists of four melded sets of three identical tiles
(Pungs) and one pair of identical tiles.
(3)
Qīng Yī Sè (Pure One Suit): The winning hand consists entirely of tiles from the same suit.
(4)
Seven Pairs:The player's winning hand consists entirely of seven pairs of identical tiles, without any
Pungs or Kongs.
(5)
Dragon Seven Pairs:The player's winning hand consists of the Seven Pairs pattern, without any Pungs
or Kongs, and includes one set of four identical tiles, known as Dragon Seven Pairs.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
Three Fan (8x Multiplier)
(6)
Pure Seven Pairs:The player's winning hand consists of seven pairs of identical tiles, all from the
same suit.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
Three Fan (8x Multiplier)
----Sichuan Mahjong----
Sichuan mahjong is the most popular mahjong style in China amongst many others. The rules of Sichuan
mahjong are simple, with no more than a dozen valuable combinations.
Unique Features
Sichuan mahjong has some unique features that distinguish it from other styles:
- The deal continues until the bitter end, earning it the nickname "Sichuan
Bloody Rules" (SBR).
- In Chinese, it is called "⾎战到底" (xue zhan dao di), meaning
"bloody battle to the end."
- After the first “Hu” declaration, the gameplay does not stop. The three remaining players
continue to play until the next “Hu”, and so forth.
- The gameplay stops only when 3 “Hu” are declared or there are no tiles left in the wall.
Strategy Changes
The continuation of gameplay after the first “Hu” radically changes the approach to playing a
hand. Players must adapt quickly, as waiting and neutral moves are not effective. A player must choose
one of two strategies:
- Quick Exit: Build the quickest hand to leave the game as early as possible, gaining or losing
a small amount of points.
- Maximize Points: Continue playing to build the most expensive hand and collect points from
the players remaining in the game.
History of Mahjong Tiles
Dive into the rich history of Mahjong, tracing its origins in China and its cultural significance worldwide.
Origin of Mahjong
The term "Sparrow Tiles" (麻雀牌) is the most widely accepted explanation for
the origin of Mahjong. Mahjong tiles, also known as "Sparrow Tiles" or "Sparrow Cards," were originally
referred to as "Huliang Cards" (护粮牌) in Taicang, Jiangsu. According to
historical records, Taicang in Jiangsu Province once housed an imperial granary that stored rice year-round
for the "transportation of southern grain to the north." The abundance of grain naturally attracted flocks
of sparrows, causing significant annual losses due to sparrow infestations.
To encourage people to catch sparrows and protect the grain, the officials managing the granary rewarded
those who caught sparrows with bamboo tally cards, which were used to record the number of sparrows caught
and could be exchanged for payment. These tally cards, called "Huliang
Cards," were engraved with various symbols and numbers, serving as both decorative objects and
game pieces, as well as vouchers for claiming rewards. The design, gameplay, and terminology of these
"Huliang Cards" were all related to catching sparrows.
Mahjong Tile Designs and Names
The three basic suits of Mahjong tiles — "Wan" (万), "Suo" (索), and "Tong" (筒) — have their origins in
this sparrow-catching practice:
-
The symbol for "Tong" represents the cross-section of a gun barrel, with "Tong" referring to a
barrel or gun tube; the number of "Tong" tiles represents the number of firearms.
-
"Suo," or "Bundle," symbolizes sparrows strung together with fine ropes, which is why the design
of the "One Suo" tile features a bird. The number of "Suo" tiles represents the number of bird bundles,
and rewards were calculated based on the number of birds caught.
-
"Wan," meaning "ten thousand," represents the unit of monetary rewards, with the number of "Wan"
tiles signifying the amount of money.
Additional Tile Meanings
Additionally, the tiles for "East, South, West, and North" represent wind directions and are
therefore called "Winds" (风), as the direction of the wind was crucial when shooting sparrows with
firearms. The tiles "Zhong" (中), "Bai" (白), and "Fa" (发) also have specific meanings:
- "Zhong" (中): Means "to hit" or "strike," symbolized by its red color.
- "Bai" (白): Represents a blank shot or a miss.
- "Fa" (发): Refers to the issuance of rewards or "getting rich."
Mahjong Gameplay Terms
Even Mahjong gameplay terms are related to sparrow-catching and grain protection. For example:
- "Peng" (碰): Mimics the sound of gunfire.
- "Hu" (和): Meaning a winning hand, is phonetically similar to "Hu" (鹘), which refers to a type of
hawk used for catching sparrows.
- Terms like "Chi" (吃, to meld) and "Gang" (杠, to form a Kong) also have connections to
bird-catching practices.
Why is it Called "Mahjong"?
So why is it called "Mahjong"? In the Taicang dialect, the pronunciation of "Sparrow" (麻雀儿) is
similar to "Mahjong" (麻将). In the Taicang dialect, the "-er" (儿) diminutive is pronounced as (/ng/), so
playing "Sparrows" (麻雀儿) naturally became "playing Mahjong." The local pronunciation of "Sparrow" (雀,
/tsiak/) combined with the diminutive "儿" (/ng/) transforms into "Jiang" (/tsiang/), which evolved into
"Mahjong." During the Tang Dynasty, Mahjong was introduced to Japan.
Buying Guide for Mahjong Tiles(In deployment)
Discover how to choose the best Mahjong tiles for your needs, whether you’re looking for a collectible set
or one for casual gameplay.
Mahjong Tiles Online
Mahjong tiles online platforms provide a way to play and learn Mahjong virtually. These platforms typically
include a digital version of Mahjong tiles that mimic physical sets. Players can enjoy various Mahjong
styles like Sichuan, Hong Kong, or Japanese Mahjong in online games. Some popular online Mahjong platforms
even offer multiplayer modes for competitive matches.
Mahjong Dragon Tiles
Dragon tiles are an integral part of most Mahjong sets. They usually include three types:
- Red Dragon: Often represented by the character “中” (Zhong).
- Green Dragon: Typically marked by the character “發” (Fa).
- White Dragon: Represented as a blank or simple bordered tile.
These tiles are used in many Mahjong variations to form scoring combinations and play critical roles in the
game strategy.
Mahjong Set
A Mahjong set is a collection of tiles and accessories used to play the game. A standard Mahjong set
includes:
- Number Tiles: Characters, Bamboos, and Dots (1-9 for each suit).
- Honor Tiles: Wind tiles (East, South, West, North) and Dragon tiles (Red, Green,
White).
- Optional Tiles: Flower and Season tiles in some sets.
- Accessories: Dice, score sticks, and racks (in some cases).
Mahjong sets vary in design and material, ranging from traditional Chinese motifs to modern, artistic
styles. They can be physical sets for tabletop play or digital recreations for online use.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
