Taiwanese Mahjong
Unique 16-tile variant with extra flexibility and flower tile bonuses
Last updated: Jan 2, 2026
What Is Taiwanese Mahjong?
Taiwanese Mahjong stands out with its 16-tile hand (versus the standard 13), allowing for larger, more complex winning combinations. This extra flexibility creates opportunities for high-scoring hands while maintaining fast-paced gameplay.
The scoring system uses 'tai' (台) points, which stack additively rather than exponentially. Many groups play with a 5-tai minimum to win, though some allow 0-tai wins (just a complete hand). Always confirm the minimum with your group.
Flower and season tiles play a significant role, with collecting all four of your designated flowers earning substantial bonuses. The game is popular throughout Taiwan and in Taiwanese communities abroad.
Key Features
What Are the Rules of Taiwanese Mahjong?
Hand Size
Unlike other variants, Taiwanese Mahjong uses 16 tiles. A winning hand needs 5 sets and 1 pair (17 tiles total). The dealer starts with 17, others with 16.
Flowers
When drawing a flower tile, immediately reveal it and draw a replacement from the dead wall. Flowers matching your seat number give bonus tai. All 8 flowers = 30 tai (Traditional) or 8 tai (Simplified).
Winning
Complete your hand by self-draw or claiming a discard. Self-draw: all opponents pay. Discard claim: only the discarder pays. Dealer wins/loses pay double.
Tai Scoring
Tai points are counted and added together (not multiplied). The value of each tai is agreed upon before the game. Most groups play with a minimum tai requirement (traditionally 5 tai).
How Does Taiwanese Mahjong Scoring Work?
Taiwanese scoring uses tai as its point unit. Two major scoring systems exist — Traditional and Simplified. Values below follow the Traditional system, which is more commonly documented in reference sources:
Common Tai Patterns (Traditional):
• Concealed hand (Men Qing): +1 tai
• Self-draw win (Zi Mo): +1 tai
• Single wait (edge/middle/pair): +2 tai
• All Pungs (Peng Peng Hu): +10 tai
• Half Flush (one suit + honors): +10 tai
• Full Flush (one suit only): +40 tai
Flower Bonuses (Traditional):
• Own seat flower: +1 tai
• Own season: +1 tai
• All 4 flowers of one type: +2 tai
• All 8 flowers: +30 tai
**Note:** Taiwanese Mahjong scoring varies significantly by region and house rules. A widely-used Simplified system assigns lower values (e.g., 4 tai for All Pungs, 4 for Half Flush, 8 for Full Flush, 8 for All 8 Flowers). Always confirm scoring with your group before playing. Because Taiwanese uses a 16-tile hand, a standard "Seven Pairs" hand does not apply — the equivalent pattern is 7 pairs plus 1 triplet (七對半).
Limit Hands:
• Thirteen Orphans: Limit
• Nine Gates: Limit
• Heavenly Hand (dealer wins on deal): Limit
What Are the Best Taiwanese Mahjong Strategies?
- 1.The extra tiles give more flexibility - don't rush to call
- 2.Collect flowers of your seat for easy tai bonuses
- 3.All Pungs and Half Flush are strong scoring targets
- 4.Confirm the minimum tai with your group before playing
- 5.Watch for players collecting all flowers — worth 30 tai under Traditional scoring or 8 tai under Simplified
Fun Facts
Related Styles
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