American Mahjong Strategy

Don't commit to a specific hand too early. In the opening, identify which SECTIONS of the card your tiles support - Consecutive, Like Numbers, 2468, etc.

Look for PAIRS first. Since Jokers can't be used in pairs, having natural pairs is valuable. Build your strategy around what pairs you hold.

Keep FLEXIBLE tiles. A 5 Bam works in many hands. An 8 Crak with three Jokers might only fit one line. Stay adaptable early.

Watch your JOKER count. Hands requiring Quints need multiple Jokers. If you only have 1-2 Jokers, focus on hands with Pungs and Kongs instead.

Pass tiles that definitely don't fit your developing direction. If you're going for evens, pass odds. Going for one suit? Pass the others.

DON'T pass Jokers or Flowers unless you're absolutely certain they won't help any of your potential hands.

WATCH what comes to you. If you keep receiving 7s and 9s, maybe the table is playing low numbers. Adapt accordingly.

On the ACROSS passes, you might get back tiles you passed. Consider this when deciding what to pass right vs. across.

WATCH EXPOSURES: When opponents expose melds, you can often determine what hand they're playing. Avoid discarding tiles they need.

SAFE TILES: Tiles matching an opponent's exposures are usually safe (they already have them). Recently discarded tiles are often safe too.

LATE GAME DANGER: As the wall shrinks and someone needs just 1-2 tiles, play defensively. Discard safe tiles even if it means slowing your hand.

KNOW WHEN TO FOLD: If you're far from winning and an opponent is close (many exposures, one tile from Mahjong), consider playing purely defensively.

TRACK DISCARDS: Know what's been played. If three 4 Bams are in the discard pile, no one can complete a hand requiring four 4 Bams.

WATCH PASSING PATTERNS: Players pass tiles they don't need. If someone passes all Craks during Charleston, they're probably not playing Craks.

EXPOSURE TELLS: Count the tiles in exposed melds. Someone with two Kongs exposed has used 8 tiles - they only have a few tiles in hand.

CALLING FREQUENCY: A player who calls frequently is closer to ready but has revealed their hand. One who never calls might be playing concealed.

CALL when: You need a specific tile that may not come again, your hand is already partially exposed, or the hand doesn't require concealment.

CONCEAL when: The hand is marked 'C' on the card, you have a good chance of self-drawing everything, or defensive advantage matters.

EXPOSURE COST: Each call gives opponents information. Is that 4th Joker worth revealing your entire hand direction?

Late game, concealment matters less - getting the tiles you need matters more.

COUNT THE JOKERS: There are only 8 in the game. If you see 5 exposed, only 3 remain for Quints.

JOKER EXCHANGE: Watch for exchange opportunities. If an opponent exposes a Pung with a Joker and you have the natural tile, you can grab that Joker on your turn.

PROTECT YOUR JOKERS: Don't expose melds with Jokers unless necessary. Once exposed, opponents can exchange them away.

QUINT PLANNING: Quints require 5 of the same. That means at least one (often two) Jokers. Make sure the math works before committing.

TUNNEL VISION: Committing to one hand too early and missing better opportunities as tiles develop.

OVER-CALLING: Exposing too many melds, giving opponents perfect information about your hand.

IGNORING DEFENSE: Discarding dangerous tiles late game just to advance your hand.

FORGETTING THE CARD: Not checking if your hand actually exists on the card. Always verify before committing.

MISUSING JOKERS: Using Jokers where you don't need them, then lacking them for Quints later.