Mahjong is a tile-based game that originated in China over 150 years ago, in the mid-19th century. It is typically played by four players, with the objective of forming a complete hand by creating combinations of tiles, such as "pongs" (three identical tiles), "chows" (three consecutive tiles of the same suit), and a pair (two identical tiles). The game consists of 144 tiles, divided into suits (bamboo, characters, and circles) as well as honor tiles (winds and dragons).
Players take turns drawing and discarding tiles in an effort to complete their hand. A winning hand typically includes four sets (pongs or chows) and one pair. While there are regional rule variations, the game generally involves a balance of strategy, skill, and an element of luck.
There are numerous variations of Mahjong, and on this site, we offer American Mahjong, a simplified version of the traditional Oriental game. American Mahjong is known for its ease of play, with a focus on creating recognizable sets and hands that are straightforward to execute. In contrast, more complex versions such as Chinese Classical (or Traditional) Mahjong and Hong Kong Mahjong follow the original rules and feature more intricate scoring systems and strategic elements.