What are the rules of Chinese mahjong?

Chinese Classical mahjong is played with 144 tiles by 4 players. Players form melds (pungs, kongs, and chows) and pairs to complete a winning hand of 14 tiles. Unlike American mahjong, Chinese mahjong does not use jokers and allows chows (sequences of consecutive suited tiles). Scoring is based on point values assigned to specific hand patterns.

How is Chinese mahjong different from American mahjong?

Chinese Classical uses 144 tiles without jokers, allows chows (runs of consecutive tiles), and has a point-based scoring system. American mahjong uses 152 tiles with 8 jokers, requires hands from the annual NMJL card, and features the Charleston tile exchange.

How many tiles are in a Chinese mahjong set?

A Chinese Classical mahjong set contains 144 tiles: 108 suited tiles (Dots, Bamboo, Characters), 16 Wind tiles, 12 Dragon tiles, and 8 Flower/Season tiles. No jokers.

China (Traditional)4 players144 tilesModerate

Chinese Mahjong Rules: How to Play Chinese Classical

The original form of mahjong with traditional scoring and regional variations

Last updated: Jan 2, 2026

What Is Chinese Classical Mahjong?

Chinese Classical Mahjong represents the traditional form of mahjong as it was played in China before regional variants developed. It's the ancestor of most other mahjong styles and provides a foundation for understanding the game's core mechanics.

The scoring system emphasizes pungs and kongs over chows, with points for sets of ones, nines, winds, and dragons. Concealed sets are worth more than exposed ones, encouraging players to keep their hands hidden when possible.

While less codified than modern tournament rules like MCR (Mahjong Competition Rules), Chinese Classical is still played in informal settings and provides the foundation for understanding most other mahjong variants.

Key Features

Pung-based scoring (chows score no points)

Concealed sets worth more than exposed

Doubles (fans) for special patterns and tiles

Point limit commonly applied (typically 500 or 1,000)

Regional variations in specific rules

Traditional 144-tile set with flowers

What Are the Rules of Chinese Classical Mahjong?

Chinese Classical mahjong is played with 144 tiles by 4 players. Players form melds — pungs, kongs, and chows — to complete a winning hand of 4 sets and 1 pair. Scoring emphasizes pungs and kongs over chows, with concealed sets worth more than exposed ones.

Tile Set

Uses 144 tiles: 36 each of three suits (1-9), 16 winds, 12 dragons, 4 flowers, and 4 seasons. Players start with 13 tiles (dealer gets 14).

Forming Sets

Pungs (3 identical tiles) and kongs (4 identical) score points. Chows (sequences) are valid but score zero. Higher value for 1s, 9s, winds, and dragons.

Concealed vs Exposed

Calling tiles from discards exposes your set, reducing its point value (roughly half of the concealed value). Self-drawn sets remain concealed and score full points. Keeping your entire hand concealed can also qualify for additional bonuses.

Winning

Complete a hand with 4 sets and 1 pair. Win by self-draw (all opponents pay) or discard claim (only discarder pays).

How Does Chinese Classical Mahjong Scoring Work?

Points come from sets, with doubles multiplying your total:

Set Points:

• Pung of simples (2-8): 2 pts exposed, 4 pts concealed

• Pung of terminals/honors (1,9,winds,dragons): 4 pts exposed, 8 pts concealed

• Kong of simples: 8 pts exposed, 16 pts concealed

• Kong of terminals/honors: 16 pts exposed, 32 pts concealed

Common Doubles:

• Own wind pung: 1 double

• Dragon pung: 1 double

• Self-draw win: 1 double

• No chows: 1 double

• All one suit: 3 doubles

A point limit — commonly 500 or 1,000 — is applied to prevent bankrupting players.

What Are the Best Chinese Classical Mahjong Strategies?

1.Prioritize pungs over chows for scoring
2.Keep sets concealed when possible for full points
3.Terminals (1s and 9s) and honors are valuable
4.Learn the doubles - they can dramatically increase your score
5.Agree on house rules before playing, as variations exist

Fun Facts

•Mahjong is believed to have originated in China during the Qing Dynasty

•The game was banned in mainland China from the Cultural Revolution era onward (~1966-1976), with the ban not formally lifted until approximately 1985

•A popular myth credits Confucius with inventing mahjong around 500 BCE, but the game's documented history dates to the mid-to-late 1800s in China

•The name 'mahjong' possibly derives from the Chinese word for 'sparrow' (麻雀), perhaps evoking the clicking sound of tiles

•The international competition ruleset (MCR), established in 1998, codified 81 winning patterns drawn from various Chinese regional styles

Frequently Asked Questions

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