Mahjong instructions?

Question

I've had a Mahjong set for roughly 10 years and have never once touched it. I am aware it is a very complex game but who can give me the best description of how to play it? (the instructions that came with my set are in Chinese)

Answer 1

It depends on what kind of mahjong came you want to play..it varies by region/country/race..

The basic rules of Mahjong is people sit at the north, south east and west, and depending on where you sit, the rules vary slightly. You can basically treat the tiles like cards, and you have to get a straight (1,2,3,4,5, etc) or three of a kind, four of a kind etc... and keep an eye out for "Flowers", "Dragons" and "Winds".. because depending on where you sit (West Winds in the West Seat), you can gain extra points. Or if your hand has all green bamboo sticks, and you get 4 green dragons, you get extra points and make a special hand..

Quite complicated, but fun, once you get the hang of it. Try downloading or playing Hong Kong Mahjong before playing it on your own and you'll pick it up soon enough


Best site to go to to learn more about mahjong rules:
http://sky116688.tripod.com/mahjong/rules.html

It has pictures and all the hands.