5 Features That Make TileBuddy Different
There are a handful of mahjong scoring apps out there, but TileBuddy was built from the ground up specifically for Hong Kong Mahjong players. Here are the five features that make it stand apart.
1. AI-Powered Tile Scanning
This is the feature that changes everything. Instead of manually tapping 14 tiles one by one on a virtual keyboard, just take a photo of the winning hand.
TileBuddy uses Google’s Gemini AI to identify every tile in the image. Within seconds, you see the recognized tiles on screen, ready for faan calculation. If the AI misreads a tile (rare, but possible in tricky lighting), you simply tap to correct it.
Why it matters
Manual tile input takes 30-60 seconds. AI scanning takes 5-10 seconds. Over a 3-hour game session with 15-20 rounds, that’s 10-15 minutes saved. More importantly, it removes the friction that makes people give up on scoring apps entirely.
How it works
The Gemini API doesn’t just do simple image matching — it understands what mahjong tiles look like across different tile set styles, from traditional ornate sets to modern minimalist ones. It can handle tiles at slight angles, with varying lighting, and even with some wear.
2. Complete Hand Set Coverage
TileBuddy supports all three Hong Kong Mahjong hand sets: Classic, New 6, and New 18. You choose which sets your group plays with, and the app only considers patterns from your selected sets.
| Hand Set | Patterns | Who Uses It |
|---|---|---|
| Classic | ~15 core patterns | Everyone |
| Classic + New 6 | +6 additional patterns | Most regular players |
| Classic + New 6 + New 18 | +18 more patterns | Experienced players |
Why it matters
Many competing apps only support Classic hands, leaving players who use New 6 or New 18 patterns without accurate scoring. TileBuddy covers the full spectrum, so you never have to worry about a valid hand being missed.
Configurable settings
Toggle hand sets on or off in the settings. Playing a casual game with beginners? Use Classic only. Regular game night with experienced players? Turn on all three. The app adapts to your group.
3. Smart Payment Calculator
Scoring faan is only half the battle — you also need to know who pays whom and how much. TileBuddy’s payment calculator handles this automatically, factoring in:
- Self-drawn vs discard win — All three pay, or just the shooter
- Dealer multiplier — East pays and receives 1.5x
- Faan-to-payment conversion — Based on your table’s base unit
- Faan limit — Caps payouts at your chosen maximum
Why it matters
Payment calculation is where most arguments happen. Was the dealer involved? Was it self-drawn? What’s 7 faan worth again? The app eliminates all debate. Input the win conditions, and the answer appears instantly.
Example
You win with 5 faan by self-draw. You’re not the dealer. Base unit is $1.
The app instantly shows:
- East (dealer) owes you: $96 (5+1 faan = 6 faan, $64 x 1.5 dealer multiplier)
- South owes you: $64
- North owes you: $64
- Total: $224
No mental math. No arguments.
4. Session Tracking Across Multiple Rounds
A mahjong session isn’t one hand — it’s 15, 20, or more rounds played over several hours. TileBuddy tracks every round’s results and maintains a running total for all four players.
What it tracks
- Winner and faan count for each round
- Payment amounts per player per round
- Running cumulative scores
- Dealer rotation and round wind progression
Why it matters
End-of-night settlement used to mean flipping through a crumpled notepad trying to reconstruct two hours of payments. With TileBuddy, you pull up the session summary, see each player’s net position, and settle up in under a minute.
Game history
Past sessions are saved, so you can look back at previous game nights. Track your performance over time, see your most common winning hands, or just settle that debate about who won last Tuesday.
5. Clean, Purpose-Built Interface
TileBuddy doesn’t try to be everything for everyone. It’s designed for one thing: Hong Kong Mahjong scoring. This focus shows in every design decision.
What “purpose-built” means
- No cluttered menus — The main features are front and center
- No ads — The app is completely free with no advertising
- No unnecessary features — Every screen serves the scoring workflow
- Fast startup — Open the app and start scoring immediately
- Intuitive flow — Even first-time users figure it out without a tutorial
Why it matters
Many scoring apps are either general-purpose tools (trying to cover every mahjong variant) or side projects with clunky interfaces. TileBuddy is laser-focused on making Hong Kong Mahjong scoring as fast and pleasant as possible.
What These Features Add Up To
Individually, each feature is useful. Together, they transform the mahjong scoring experience:
| Without TileBuddy | With TileBuddy |
|---|---|
| 2-5 min scoring discussions per round | 10-15 seconds |
| Payment math on paper | Instant calculation |
| ”Wait, whose wind is it?” | App tracks automatically |
| End-of-night reconciliation headaches | One-tap settlement summary |
| Scoring arguments | Objective, accurate results |
| New players intimidated by scoring | App handles it while they learn |
The result: more time playing, less time calculating, and zero scoring arguments.
What’s Next for TileBuddy
We’re constantly improving the app based on player feedback. Some areas we’re exploring:
- Enhanced AI accuracy for more tile set styles
- Additional statistics and analytics for your game history
- Expanded hand references with visual examples
- Accessibility improvements
If you have a feature suggestion, we’d love to hear it.
FAQ
Is TileBuddy really free?
Yes, completely free. No ads, no in-app purchases, no premium tier. We built TileBuddy because we play mahjong and wanted a better scoring tool.
Does TileBuddy work without internet?
Manual tile input and faan calculation work fully offline. The AI tile scanning feature requires an internet connection since it uses the Gemini API.
Can I use TileBuddy if I’m new to mahjong?
Absolutely. In fact, TileBuddy is especially useful for beginners because it handles the most confusing part of the game (scoring) while you’re learning. Seeing the faan breakdown after each hand is a great way to internalize scoring patterns.
Is TileBuddy available on Android?
Currently, TileBuddy is available on iOS only. We may expand to other platforms in the future based on demand.
Experience the difference for yourself. Download TileBuddy for free on the App Store and make your next game night smoother.