Mahjong Payment Calculator: How to Settle Up After a Game
One of the trickiest parts of Hong Kong Mahjong isn’t the gameplay — it’s settling up afterward. Between self-drawn bonuses, dealer multipliers, and faan-based doubling, the math can get complicated fast. This guide breaks down exactly how mahjong payments work so you’ll never argue about money at the table again.
The Basics: Base Units
Every mahjong game starts with an agreed-upon base unit (底). This is the smallest amount of money (or chips) that can change hands. Everything scales from this base.
Common base units:
- Casual games: $0.50 or $1
- Regular games: $2 or $5
- Higher stakes: $10+
The base unit is multiplied based on faan to determine actual payouts. Always agree on this before the first tile is drawn.
The Faan-to-Payment Table
In Hong Kong Mahjong, payments double with each faan level (approximately). Here’s the standard payout table for a discard win:
| Faan | Multiplier | Payout ($1 base) | Payout ($2 base) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 (chicken) | 1x | $1 | $2 |
| 1 | 2x | $2 | $4 |
| 2 | 4x | $4 | $8 |
| 3 | 8x | $8 | $16 |
| 4 | 16x | $16 | $32 |
| 5 | 32x | $32 | $64 |
| 6 | 64x | $64 | $128 |
| 7 | 128x | $128 | $256 |
| 8 | 256x | $256 | $512 |
| 9 | 256x | $256 | $512 |
| 10 (limit) | 256x | $256 | $512 |
Note: Many groups cap payouts at 8 faan (256x base), meaning 8, 9, and 10 faan all pay the same. Others use a higher cap. This is the faan limit and it’s a house rule — always confirm before playing.
Some groups use a slightly different table where the jumps between faan levels aren’t perfectly doubling. The table above uses the most common “laai zi” (例子) system.
Who Pays Whom
Discard Win
When you win by claiming someone’s discard:
- Only the shooter pays the full amount
Self-Drawn Win
When you win by drawing the tile yourself:
- All three losing players pay the full amount
- Plus you get +1 faan for the self-drawn bonus
The Dealer Factor
The dealer (East) has special payment rules:
| Scenario | Payment Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Dealer wins (discard) | Shooter pays 1.5x |
| Dealer wins (self-drawn) | All three pay 1.5x |
| Dealer loses (discard) | Dealer pays 1.5x as shooter |
| Dealer loses (self-drawn) | Dealer pays 1.5x, others pay 1x |
The dealer always has higher stakes — they win more when they win and lose more when they lose.
Worked Examples
Let’s walk through several scenarios using a $1 base unit.
Example 1: Simple Discard Win
- Winner: South (non-dealer)
- Hand value: 4 faan
- Win type: Discard from West
Calculation: 4 faan = $16 multiplier
- West pays South: $16
- East and North pay nothing
Example 2: Self-Drawn Win
- Winner: West (non-dealer)
- Hand value: 3 faan + 1 self-drawn = 4 faan
- Win type: Self-drawn
Calculation: 4 faan = $16 per person
- East (dealer) pays: $16 x 1.5 = $24
- South pays: $16
- North pays: $16
- Total for winner: $56
Example 3: Dealer Wins by Discard
- Winner: East (dealer)
- Hand value: 5 faan
- Win type: Discard from North
Calculation: 5 faan = $32, dealer bonus x 1.5
- North pays East: $32 x 1.5 = $48
Example 4: Limit Hand, Self-Drawn
- Winner: South (non-dealer)
- Hand value: Limit (10 faan) + self-drawn (already at limit)
- Win type: Self-drawn
Calculation: Limit = $256 per person
- East (dealer) pays: $256 x 1.5 = $384
- West pays: $256
- North pays: $256
- Total: $896
This is why limit hands are so exciting (and terrifying).
End-of-Game Settlement
After multiple rounds, each player will have won and lost various amounts. At the end of the session, you settle the net differences:
- Add up total winnings for each player
- Subtract total losses
- The net positive players collect from the net negative players
Example session totals:
| Player | Total Won | Total Lost | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alice | $120 | $80 | +$40 |
| Bob | $60 | $110 | -$50 |
| Carol | $90 | $70 | +$20 |
| Dave | $50 | $60 | -$10 |
Settlement: Bob pays Alice $40 and Carol $10. Dave pays Carol $10. (Simplified — actual settlement minimizes transactions.)
Common Mistakes in Payment Calculation
- Forgetting the dealer multiplier — East always pays/receives 1.5x
- Miscounting faan — One wrong faan doubles or halves the payout. A complete faan guide can help.
- Confusing self-drawn and discard payments — Remember: self-drawn = everyone pays; discard = only the shooter
- Not agreeing on the base unit — Settle this before the game starts
- Forgetting flower bonuses — Each matching flower/season adds faan
Tips for Faster Settlement
- Track as you go — Don’t wait until the end of the night to settle up. Keep a running tally.
- Use an app — Seriously, this is exactly what scoring apps are for.
- Round to simple numbers — Some groups round payouts to the nearest dollar to avoid dealing with coins.
- Designate a banker — One person handles all payments to keep things organized.
FAQ
What if we can’t agree on the payout table?
Print out or screenshot a payout table before the game starts and keep it visible. Or better yet, use an app that calculates automatically. Agreeing on the rules up front prevents 99% of disputes.
Do all Hong Kong Mahjong groups use the same payout table?
No. The doubling structure is standard, but the exact amounts depend on the base unit and where the “flat” zone starts (some groups flatten the curve earlier). Always confirm the payout table with your group.
How do I handle payments for kongs?
Kong bonuses are separate instant payments. When a player declares a kong, other players pay a small bonus immediately. The exact amount varies by house rules — some groups treat it as 1 base unit per exposed kong and 2 per concealed kong.
Is there an easy way to track all this?
Yes — that’s exactly what TileBuddy is built for. The app tracks every round’s winner, faan count, win type, and dealer status, then calculates all payments automatically.
Tired of squinting at payment tables and doing mental math? Download TileBuddy for free on the App Store and let the app handle every calculation for you.