Even I Can Play Mahjong!

Over the years people have tried to entice me into joining them at some game that they’re playing, but I have to admit that I hate playing those games.  I get bored with board games, discard card games, and can’t picture myself playing video games.  I grew up at a time when we could go outside and run around, ride bikes, play army or whatever until it got dark.  Those days are long gone for most kids.  They have slipped past me also, as my nap is now of the utmost importance. 

Recently though, I moved to Taiwan and my children are playing Mahjong.  They have this cool electronic table that, shuffles the tiles, arranges them in rows, and sets them up on playing surface.  It even rolls the dice for you.  It has cup holders, and a place for snacks.  These are necessities, if I'm going to be playing. It’s manufactured by LQT (Le Que Tai).

Surprising them and even myself I decided to join in the game.  I even enjoyed playing.  There’s no arguing over the rules.  They are what they are.  Here’s a bit of insight about the game:

You are “dealt” sixteen tiles, four at a time.  You can either gamble (very popular in Taiwan) or not. 

The Object:  The object of the game is to get five suits and a pair.  A suit is either three tiles in numerical order, or a triplet (three matching tiles). 

Game Play:  Dealing: After the tiles are shuffled, and stacked in stacks of two tiles, the dice are rolled.  Beginning with the dealer, rows of tiles are counted by the total of the three dice.  This is the chosen row.  The tiles are then counted by the same dice total. Tiles are dealt four at a time to each player, beginning with the dealer.  Each player receives sixteen tiles.  They are kept from view from the other players.

Each player in turn, draws a tile and discards a tile.  This continues until a player has the winning hand.

Chi:  When a player discards a tile that the following player can use to make a numerical suit.  The following player says “chi” and takes that tile.  This suit must then be exposed to all the players.

Pung:  If a tile is discarded by any player that a player needs to complete a triplet suit, that player says “pung” and takes the tile.  The suit must be exposed to all the players.

Hu:  If a tile is discarded by any player that any other player needs to win the game, that player says “hu”, and exposes all his tiles showing the winning hand. 

In order to really understand mahjong, you need to understand the one hundred forty-four tiles.  Here is an excellent post on this.  The game is fast-paced and fun.  I am surprised at how much I enjoy playing.

A "Triplet" Suit

A Winning Hand!

Oh Ho!  I Win! (Finally)

Photos by Eric Liu