Chinese Mahjong is the original foundation of all Mahjong variants. Before jokers, before scoring cards, before modern tournament formats — there was this version. Pure tiles. Pure structure. Pure strategy.
At first glance, the tiles may look overwhelming. Characters, bamboos, winds, dragons — it can feel like learning a new language. But once you understand the structure behind the game, everything starts to click.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn:
- The full 144-tile set explained clearly
- How to set up and deal
- How turns work
- How to build winning hands
- Basic scoring principles
- Beginner strategy tips
- Key differences from American and Riichi Mahjong
If you’re exploring other styles too, you can compare this traditional version with American Mahjong Rules or the structured Japanese format in Japanese Riichi Mahjong Rules.
Let’s start with the tiles.
The Chinese Mahjong Tile Set (144 Tiles Explained)
A standard Chinese Mahjong set contains 144 tiles.
They are divided into three main categories:
1. Suited Tiles (108 Tiles)
These are the core of the game.
There are three suits:
• Dots (Circles) – 1 to 9
• Bamboo (Sticks) – 1 to 9
• Characters (Wan) – 1 to 9
Each numbered tile appears four times.
That means:
3 suits × 9 numbers × 4 copies = 108 tiles.
These tiles are used to build sequences and sets.
If you’re unfamiliar with tile terminology, check the full Mahjong Terms Glossary for clear definitions.
2. Honor Tiles (28 Tiles)
Honor tiles cannot form sequences (chows).
They include:
• Winds – East, South, West, North
• Dragons – Red, Green, White
Each appears four times.
Honors are used to form triplets (pungs) or quads (kongs).
3. Bonus Tiles (8 Tiles – Optional)
• 4 Flowers
• 4 Seasons
These are often optional depending on house rules.
When drawn, they are immediately revealed and replaced with another tile. They provide bonus points but are not used in melds.
How to Set Up Chinese Mahjong
Chinese Mahjong is always played with four players.
Each player represents a wind direction:
East, South, West, North.
Building the Wall
All 144 tiles are shuffled face-down.
Each player builds a wall:
• 18 stacks of 2 tiles
• Total = 36 tiles per player
The four walls are pushed together to form a square.
Determining the Dealer
Dice are rolled to determine the starting point.
The East player is the dealer.
- East starts with 14 tiles
- Other players start with 13
East begins the first turn.
Objective of Chinese Mahjong
The goal is simple:
Build a legal winning hand consisting of:
Four melds + One pair
A meld can be:
• Chow (sequence)
• Pung (three identical tiles)
• Kong (four identical tiles)
The pair is two identical tiles.
That’s it.
Everything else — scoring, bonuses, complexity — builds on that structure.
How Gameplay Works (Turn by Turn)
The game moves counterclockwise.
Each turn:
- Draw one tile
- Discard one tile
This continues until someone completes a winning hand.
Claiming Discards
You may claim another player’s discard if:
- It completes a Pung
- It completes a Kong
- It completes a Chow (only the next player may claim for Chow)
- It completes your winning hand
Claiming interrupts the turn order.
Concealed vs Exposed Melds
If a meld is formed using:
- Only your own draws → Concealed
- Another player’s discard → Exposed
Concealed hands are often worth more in scoring systems.
Understanding Melds in Depth
Chow (Sequence)
Three consecutive numbers in the same suit.
Example:
4–5–6 Bamboo
Chows cannot include honor tiles.
Only the next player in order may claim a discard for Chow.
Pung (Triplet)
Three identical tiles.
Example:
Red Dragon + Red Dragon + Red Dragon
Can be claimed from any player.
Kong (Quad)
Four identical tiles.
When declaring a Kong:
- Reveal the four tiles
- Draw a replacement tile from the back of the wall
Kongs increase scoring potential.
When Does a Hand End in a Draw?
If no player completes a winning hand before the wall runs out of tiles, the hand is declared a draw.
The dealer position may rotate depending on house rules.
Winning a Hand (Declaring Hu)
You win when you complete:
4 melds + 1 pair
You declare:
“Hu!” (or simply Mahjong)
You can win:
• By self-draw
• By claiming a discard
Basic Chinese Mahjong Scoring Explained
Unlike American Mahjong, there is no universal scoring card.
If you prefer a structured scoring system with jokers and a printed card, see our full guide to American Mahjong Rules.
Chinese Mahjong scoring is based on:
- Complexity of hand
- Concealed vs exposed melds
- Special patterns
- Self-draw wins
Common scoring hands include:
- All Pungs
- Pure One Suit
- Mixed One Suit
- Dragon Pungs
- Wind Pungs
- Thirteen Orphans (advanced)
For beginners, keep scoring simple at first. Focus on building legal hands before chasing advanced patterns.
Common Winning Hand Examples
Standard Mixed Hand
Chow + Chow + Pung + Pung + Pair
All Pungs
Four triplets + pair
Harder to build but higher value.
Pure One Suit
All tiles from one suit only.
Risky but rewarding.
Thirteen Orphans (Advanced)
One of each terminal and honor tile + duplicate of one.
Rare but powerful.
Beginner Strategy Tips
Chinese Mahjong rewards efficiency and observation.
1. Prioritize Flexible Tiles
Middle numbers (3–7) are easier to build sequences around.
2. Watch Discards
If three copies of a tile are already discarded, the fourth is unlikely to complete your hand.
3. Don’t Chase Fancy Hands
Focus on completing a legal hand first.
4. Play Balanced Offense and Defense
Late-game discards can help opponents win.
If you’re just starting out, you may also find our guide on Common Mistakes New Mahjong Players Make helpful.
Practice Online Before Playing In Person
If you’re learning alone, playing online can help you understand tile flow and turn rhythm without pressure.
We break down beginner-friendly options in our guide to the Best Online Mahjong Platforms (2026 Player’s Guide).
Practicing a few rounds online dramatically speeds up pattern recognition.
If you’re specifically interested in structured American-style practice with guided hands, see our full I Love Mahj Platform Review to understand how their system works.
Differences Between Chinese Mahjong and Other Variants
vs American Mahjong
- No jokers
- No NMJL card
- Flexible scoring
- More traditional structure
You can explore the differences in our complete Mahjong Variants Compared guide.
vs Riichi Mahjong
- No riichi declaration
- No furiten rule
- Less rigid scoring
vs Hong Kong Mahjong
Hong Kong version uses simplified scoring and is faster-paced.
If you’re exploring other styles, you can compare them in:
• American Mahjong Rules
• Riichi Mahjong Rules
• Hong Kong Mahjong Rules
Thinking About Getting Your Own Mahjong Set?
If you plan to play at home, having a quality set makes a big difference.
We’ve reviewed the Best American Mahjong Sets (With Jokers & NMJL Card) to help you choose the right option for beginners and casual players.
A good set improves readability and durability — especially if you’re learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many tiles are in Chinese Mahjong?
144 total.
How many players?
Four only.
Are jokers used?
No.
Can you win off a discard?
Yes.
What happens when the wall runs out?
The hand is declared a draw.
Why Chinese Mahjong Is Worth Learning
Chinese Mahjong is the structural backbone of the game.
It teaches:
• Tile efficiency
• Probability awareness
• Defensive reading
• Pattern recognition
Master this version and every other variant becomes easier to understand.
It’s slower and more meditative than modern adaptations — but deeply rewarding.
Final Thoughts
Chinese Mahjong is not complicated.
It is layered.
Start with structure.
Ignore advanced scoring.
Play slowly.
After a few rounds, what looked like chaos becomes logic.
And once you see the logic, you’ll never look at the tiles the same way again.