American Simple Mahjong

Basics

            Setup:

  1. Determine if you will play 4 or 8 hands.
  2. Mix all tiles face down in the center.
  3. Each player draws 13 tiles.
  4. Pick a starting player by drawing the largest numeric tile, dealer now moves clockwise.

Turn Sequence:

  1. Player draws 1 tile from the pile (unless calling, which is explained below).
  2. Player discards 1 tile face up.
  3. The next player clockwise takes their turn.

Calling Tiles:

  1. A player may call the last discarded tile to form a meld (which must be played on the table).
  2. Tiles that form a run may only be called from the player before you.
  3. If multiple players want a discard the priority is win > set > run > next player.

Winning a Hand:

  1. You win a hand by forming a valid 14 tile hand which is 4 melds and a pair and announcing Mahjong before another player.
  2. The winners’ hand is then scored immediately. If a player wins by calling another players tile then the called player will pay the winners score from their points.

Scoring

Melds

Requirement

Points (Each)

Pair

Set of 2

1

Run

Run of 3

2

Basic Set

Set of 3 (Not Dragons or Winds)

3

Special Set

Set of 3 Dragons or Winds

4




Special Hands

Requirement

Points

All Simples

No Dragons or Winds

26

Pure Straight

1-9 Same Suit

27

Seven Pairs

7 Pairs

28

Half Flush

1 Suit + Dragons or Winds

70

Full Flush

1 Suit Only

78

All Honors

Only Dragons & Winds

119

13 Orphans

No repeat tiles

160