Blog
Guides, tips, and everything you need to know about Hong Kong Mahjong scoring.
Hong Kong Mahjong Limit Hands: The Complete Guide
All 8 limit hands in Hong Kong Mahjong explained: Great Dragons, Great Winds, Small Four Winds, Nine Gates, Eighteen Arhats, Heavenly Hand, Earthly Hand, and All Honors.
Seven Pairs (七對子): How to Win Hong Kong Mahjong with Nothing but Pairs
Seven Pairs (七對子) is a 4-faan Hong Kong Mahjong hand built entirely from seven matched pairs and no melds. Learn the rules, faan count, duplicate-pairs debate, and when to chase it.
Why You Need a Digital Mahjong Scorekeeper (and What TileBuddy Does)
Manual mahjong scoring kills momentum, breeds disputes, and blocks beginners. Here's what a digital scorekeeper solves—and what TileBuddy specifically gets right.
Concealed Hand (門前清): The 1-Faan Bonus for Winning Without Open Melds
A concealed hand (門前清) in Hong Kong Mahjong awards 1 extra faan for winning with every set hidden. Learn what breaks the bonus, how it stacks with self-draw, and when keeping your hand closed is the smarter play.
Common Hand (平和): Mastering the All-Chows Pattern in Hong Kong Mahjong
The Common Hand (平和) is a 1-faan pattern in Hong Kong Mahjong built entirely from chows with a numbered pair. Learn the exact requirements, how it stacks with other patterns, and why it is often the smartest hand to chase.
Small Three Dragons (小三元): How to Score This 5-Faan Hand in Hong Kong Mahjong
Learn how to build and score the Small Three Dragons hand (小三元) in Hong Kong Mahjong. This 5-faan hand requires pungs of two dragon tiles plus a pair of the third, and is one of the most achievable high-value hands at the table.
All Triplets (Dui Dui Hu): Hong Kong Mahjong's Reliable 3-Faan Hand
Learn how to build the All Triplets hand (對對和) in Hong Kong Mahjong, what it's worth, how it stacks with other scoring elements, and the strategies to complete it reliably.
Full Flush (清一色): How to Score This 7-Faan Hand in Hong Kong Mahjong
Learn how to build and score the Full Flush hand (清一色) in Hong Kong Mahjong. This complete guide covers the 7-faan value, powerful combinations, building strategy, and how to defend against it.
How AI Tile Scanning Works in TileBuddy
A behind-the-scenes look at how TileBuddy uses AI and the Gemini API to recognize mahjong tiles from photos and calculate faan instantly.
Best Mahjong Scoring Apps 2026
We compare the top mahjong scoring apps for 2026, covering features, accuracy, and ease of use to help you pick the best one for your game nights.
Mahjong Night: How to Host the Perfect Game Night
Everything you need to host an amazing mahjong game night, from supplies and setup to food, house rules, and keeping the energy going.
Cantonese Mahjong Phrases You Should Know
20+ essential Cantonese phrases for Hong Kong Mahjong with pronunciation and meanings. Sound like a local at the mahjong table.
Hong Kong vs Taiwanese Mahjong: Key Differences
Compare Hong Kong and Taiwanese Mahjong rules, scoring systems, tile sets, and gameplay differences to understand each variant.
Hong Kong vs Japanese Riichi Mahjong: A Comparison
A detailed comparison of Hong Kong Mahjong and Japanese Riichi Mahjong covering rules, scoring, tiles, and cultural differences.
How to Play Faster Without Making Scoring Errors
Speed up your Hong Kong Mahjong games while maintaining scoring accuracy. Tips for faster play, quicker scoring, and eliminating common errors.
How to Read Discards: Defensive Play Strategy
Master the art of reading discards in Hong Kong Mahjong to predict opponents' hands, play defensively, and avoid being the shooter.
10 Tips to Win More at Hong Kong Mahjong
Practical strategy tips for Hong Kong Mahjong that will help you win more often, score higher faan, and make fewer costly mistakes.
Common Beginner Mistakes in Mahjong (and How to Avoid Them)
Avoid the most common beginner mistakes in Hong Kong Mahjong. Learn what new players get wrong about discards, claiming, scoring, and strategy.
Thirteen Orphans: The Hardest Hand in Mahjong
Everything about the legendary Thirteen Orphans hand in Hong Kong Mahjong — what it is, the odds, strategy tips, and why it's the ultimate achievement.
Mixed One Suit vs Full Flush: Which to Aim For
Compare Mixed One Suit (3 faan) and Full Flush (7 faan) in Hong Kong Mahjong. Learn when to aim for each, strategy tips, and how to transition between them.
Classic vs New 6 vs New 18 Hand Sets: Which to Play
Understand the differences between Classic, New 6, and New 18 hand sets in Hong Kong Mahjong, and learn which set is right for your group.
Complete Faan Guide: Every Hong Kong Mahjong Hand Explained
The definitive reference for all faan (番) patterns in Hong Kong Mahjong. Includes Classic, New 6, and New 18 hand sets with faan values and examples.
Dragon Tiles in Mahjong: Why They Matter for Scoring
Learn how Red, Green, and White Dragon tiles work in Hong Kong Mahjong, their faan values, and the powerful Big Three Dragons hand.
Understanding Wind Tiles: Seat Wind vs Round Wind
How wind tiles work in Hong Kong Mahjong, including the difference between seat wind and round wind, and how they affect scoring.
Flower and Season Tiles: Bonus Points Explained
Learn how flower and season tiles work in Hong Kong Mahjong, how they score bonus faan, and which tiles match your seat position.
Mahjong Payment Calculator: How to Settle Up After a Game
Learn how to calculate mahjong payouts using base units, faan values, and multipliers. Includes examples and a quick reference table.
Self-Drawn Win vs Discard Win: How Payouts Differ
Understand how self-drawn wins and discard wins affect payouts in Hong Kong Mahjong, including who pays and how much.
What is the Maximum Faan in Hong Kong Mahjong?
Learn about the maximum faan in Hong Kong Mahjong, including limit hands worth 10 or 13 faan, and which rare hands can get you there.
Chicken Hand Explained: What It Is and When to Use It
Learn what a chicken hand (雞糊) is in Hong Kong Mahjong, why it's controversial, and when your group should allow zero-faan wins.
How to Score Hong Kong Mahjong: A Complete Beginner's Guide
Learn how Hong Kong Mahjong scoring works — from basic faan counting to settling payments between players. Everything you need to know to keep score at your next game.
Mahjong Terminology Glossary: Every Term Explained
A comprehensive A-Z glossary of Hong Kong Mahjong terms in English and Cantonese, covering tiles, hands, scoring, and gameplay.
What Do Mahjong Tiles Mean? Symbols Decoded
Discover the cultural meanings behind mahjong tile designs, from bamboo sticks and dot coins to wind symbols, dragon characters, and flower artwork.
All 42 Mahjong Tiles Explained: A Visual Guide for Beginners
Learn every tile in a Hong Kong Mahjong set — suits, honors, flowers, and seasons. Understand what each tile means and how they're used in the game.
Hong Kong Mahjong Rules for Complete Beginners
Learn how to play Hong Kong Mahjong from scratch. This beginner-friendly guide covers setup, tiles, gameplay, winning conditions, and scoring basics.
Mahjong vs Mahjong Solitaire: What's the Difference?
Mahjong and Mahjong Solitaire are completely different games that share the same tiles. Learn what makes each unique and why the confusion exists.
The History of Mahjong: From China to the World
Trace the fascinating history of mahjong from its origins in 19th century China to its spread across Asia, America, and the world.
What is Mahjong? A Simple Explanation
A beginner-friendly explanation of what mahjong is, how it works, and why millions of people around the world love playing this classic tile game.