Master the exhilarating game of Mahjong with this introductory guide.
Originally played with cards, and then pieces carved from ivory or bamboo, the Chinese game of Mahjong or "Mah Jongg" is well over a thousand years old. Said to have originated in the court of the Emperor of Wu, for centuries Mahjong remained a diversion exclusively for the royal class of China. Mahjong has been called "the game of a hundred intelligences." When played by experts it can be fast and subtle—even difficult to follow. Author Amy Lo, with the help and consultation of many master Mahjong players of different forms of the game, comes The Complete Book of Mah Jong.
This complete, easy-to-follow instructional mahjong handbook includes over 150 full-color photographs and illustrations to introduce players to this captivating game. This is the first Mahjong book to fully cover the Cantonese or "old rules" game. It also includes all of the most popular variations, such as the Shanghai game, the 16-tile or Taiwanese game and the 12-tile game. Included are the rules, tactics, techniques, strategy and the rituals only the most experienced players know.
This Mahjong book includes:
- Easy-to-follow instructions
- Full-color illustrations and photographs
Instruction on:
- Authentic Chinese Mahjong play
- Cantonese Mahjong play
- Shanghai Mahjong play
- American Mahjong play
- The 12-tile versions of the game
The Complete Book of Mah Jong is the perfect guide for all skill levels to learn the different styles of Mahjong—from Mahjong beginners to pros.
Author(s): Amy Lo
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
Year: 2016
Language: English
Pages: 195
Frontcover......Page 1
Title page......Page 3
Copyright......Page 4
Contents......Page 5
MAH JONGG, THE PEOPLE’S GAME......Page 9
INTRODUCTION The Mah Jongg Game......Page 11
CHAPTER ONE The Game of Mah Jongg......Page 14
1.1 The Tiles......Page 16
1.2 Accessories......Page 18
1.3 A Hand of Tiles......Page 19
1.4 A Few Examples of Winning Hands......Page 20
1.5 Players and Their Respective Playing Positions......Page 21
1.6 Playing Directions......Page 23
1.7 Different Rules of Mah jongg Game......Page 24
2.1 Seat Allocation......Page 25
2.2 Building the Walls......Page 28
2.3 Designating the First Dealer......Page 30
2.4 Breaking the Walls......Page 31
2.4.1 Leaping the Tiles......Page 33
2.5 Matching the Tiles......Page 34
2.6.1 Sheung — To Match a Sequence......Page 36
2.6.2 Pung — To Match a Triplet......Page 37
2.6.3 Revealed and Concealed Sets......Page 39
2.6.4 Gong — To Match a Quadruplet......Page 40
2.6.5 Priority in Claiming Discards......Page 43
2.7 When to Declare a Win......Page 44
2.9 The Dealer and the Duration of a Game......Page 46
2.10 Scoring......Page 49
2.11 Computing the Fans......Page 58
2.12 Awarding the Winner......Page 60
2.12.2 Table of Awards......Page 61
2.13 Paying the Winner......Page 62
2.14 Bao — Penalty to the Risk Taker......Page 63
2.15.2 Long or Short Hand......Page 65
2.17 Playing with Flower Tiles......Page 66
2.17.1 Scoring for Flower Tiles......Page 67
2.19 Three-Player Game......Page 69
3.1 Speed......Page 70
3.3 Keeping Alert......Page 71
3.5 Improving Your Winning Chance......Page 72
3.6 Improving Your Hand for a Higher Score......Page 73
3.7 Winning Probabilities......Page 75
CHAPTER FOUR Courtesies......Page 78
CHAPTER FIVE The Shanghai Game......Page 81
5.2 Designating the Chair of the First Dealer......Page 82
5.3 Choosing the First Dealer......Page 83
5.4 Building the Walls......Page 87
5.6 Displaying Revealed Sequences......Page 88
5.8 Assembling a Revealed 13-Terminal Tile Hand......Page 89
5.9 Scoring......Page 91
5.10 Computing the Fans......Page 106
5.11 Awarding the Winner......Page 112
CHAPTER SIX The 12-Tile Game......Page 113
6.1 Winning Probabilities......Page 117
7.1 Seat Allocation......Page 118
7.3 Designating the First Dealer, Breaking the Walls, Revealing Flower Tiles, and Drawing Make-up Tiles......Page 121
7.4 Shuh......Page 122
7.5 Garng......Page 123
7.7 Scoring......Page 124
CHAPTER EIGHT The American Game......Page 130
8.4 Exchange of Unwanted Tiles......Page 131
8.4.2 Second Pass......Page 132
8.4.4 Blind Pass......Page 133
8.5 Reclaim an Exposed Joker Tile......Page 134
8.7 How to Read The Score Card......Page 135
8.11 Temporary Score Table......Page 139
8.14 Long and Short Hand......Page 142
CHAPTER NINE The International Game......Page 143
9.1 Terminologies......Page 144
9.2 Winning Elements and Fan......Page 145
9.3 Paying the Winner......Page 163
9.5 Alert and Penalty......Page 164
9.6 Standard Scoring Chart......Page 165
CHAPTER TEN The Shenzhen Game......Page 166
10.1 Settlement......Page 167
11.2 The Simple Version......Page 169
11.2.2 Formation of Tiles of Winning Hands......Page 170
11.2.3 Scoring......Page 171
11.2.4 Example of Standard Winning Hands and Scores......Page 172
11.2.5 Special Winning Hand......Page 173
11.2.8 Winning Probabilities......Page 174
11.3.1 Scoring......Page 177
11.3.3 Dragon and Wind Tiles......Page 178
11.3.4 Other Combinations......Page 180
11.3.5 Sequences Combinations......Page 182
11.3.6 Triplets Combinations......Page 185
11.3.7 Miscellaneous Combinations......Page 188
11.3.8 Total Score......Page 190
