Tagged: beginner
12 articles
Common Hand (平糊): Mastering the All-Chows Pattern in Hong Kong Mahjong
The Common Hand (平糊) is a 1-faan Hong Kong Mahjong pattern built entirely from chows. What it needs, how it stacks, and when to chase it.
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.
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.
Chicken Hand Explained: What It Is and When to Use It
A chicken hand (雞糊, gai wu) is a mahjong win worth zero faan. Why tables argue about it, the usual house rules, and how to avoid ending up with one.
How to Score Hong Kong Mahjong: A Complete Beginner's Guide
How Hong Kong Mahjong scoring works, from counting faan to settling payments. Everything you need to keep score at your next game.
Mahjong Terminology Glossary: Every Term Explained
Every Hong Kong Mahjong term in Cantonese and English, A–Z: sik wu (食糊), faan, pung, chow, honor tiles and the rest. Look up what a word means mid-game.
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
Every tile in a Hong Kong Mahjong set: suits, honours, flowers and seasons. What each one means, and how it is used in the game.
Hong Kong Mahjong Rules for Complete Beginners
New to Hong Kong Mahjong? A step-by-step guide to the full rules: tiles, sets, turns and how to win, so you can play your first game today.
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.