If you’re a fan of Chinese games, culture, or cinema, you’ve likely come across Mahjong—an iconic game deeply embedded in Chinese tradition. Today, Mahjong remains one of the most beloved and competitive tile games in Asia and around the world. At Royal Club, players can enjoy this captivating game while learning strategic gameplay in a fun, rewarding environment.
In this guide, Royal Club introduces the basic rules, structure, and strategies of Mahjong—specifically in the Hong Kong style, one of the most widely recognized formats. Whether you’re a beginner or simply brushing up on your skills, this overview will help you understand how to play Mahjong confidently.
General Introduction On How To Play Mahjong
The word “Mahjong” translates to “sparrow,” referencing the “One Bamboo” tile, often considered the first card in the set. Traditionally, Mahjong tiles are made of bone, ivory, or modern plastics and are engraved with symbols representing numbers, winds, and dragons.
Mahjong is typically played by four players and is both a game of strategy and a test of memory, timing, and observation. Though it serves as a form of entertainment, mastering Mahjong requires sharp thinking and tactical precision.
The game’s roots trace back to the mid-19th century, likely originating in Shanghai. While its origin story is debated, what’s undeniable is the cultural significance and the challenge Mahjong presents to its players.
Mahjong comes in various formats and rule sets depending on the region. For this guide, we’ll focus on the Hong Kong style Mahjong, considered the standard version that forms a solid foundation for learning other variations.
The Mahjong Table Setup
To play Mahjong effectively, a dedicated Mahjong table is essential. In traditional Chinese setups, the table is typically square—measuring about 80 cm per side and standing 60–85 cm tall. Players often use a cloth to cover the table to protect the tiles from damage during play.
In contrast, Mahjong tables in the Philippines and other regions are often designed with additional features: they are usually about 90–95 cm per side and 90 cm tall, with a raised edge (3–4 cm) lined with leather or felt. The table surface is coated with smooth materials like nylon or mica—usually in dark colors such as green or blue to enhance the visibility of the light-colored tiles.
This design prevents tiles from slipping off the table and allows them to slide easily while shuffling. Over time, if the surface becomes less smooth, a fine layer of powder may be applied to restore the slide quality.
Objective and Winning Conditions in Mahjong
The primary objective of Mahjong is to create a complete hand—usually consisting of four sets and one pair (totaling 14 tiles). Players start with 13 tiles and aim to draw or claim a tile that completes the winning hand.
A complete Mahjong hand includes:
- 1 Pair: Two identical tiles
- 3 Sets (Pongs/Chows/Kongs):
- Pong: Three identical tiles
- Chow: A sequence of three tiles in consecutive order (same suit)
- Kong: Four identical tiles, extended from a Pong
- Pong: Three identical tiles
The game uses a combination of number tiles, honor tiles (Winds and Dragons), and suit tiles (Bamboo, Characters, and Dots). Honor tiles cannot be used in Chows, only in Pongs or Kongs.
How to Play Mahjong at Royal Club
A Mahjong game is divided into four rounds, each representing one of the four winds: East, South, West, and North. Every round features four players sitting at positions corresponding to these directions.
The East Seat player (dealer) begins with 14 tiles and discards one tile to start the game. Other players take turns drawing and discarding tiles to build their hands toward completion.
Each player’s turn involves:
- Drawing a tile (from the wall or a discarded tile)
- Choosing whether to keep it or use a previously discarded tile
- Discarding one tile
Players may claim a discarded tile to form specific combinations (Pong, Chow, or Kong), depending on specific priority rules outlined below.
The game continues until a player completes a valid winning hand (4 sets + 1 pair) or until no more tiles remain in the wall, resulting in a draw.
Priority Rules in Mahjong Royal Club
Mahjong includes clear rules about who gets to claim a discarded tile. This helps keep the gameplay fair and structured.
Priority 1: Winning
If multiple players can win with the same discarded tile, the player closest in turn order to the discarder gets priority. For instance, if the East player discards a tile and both South and West players can win with it, the South player has the right to claim it.
Priority 2: Forming a Pong or Kong
If no one can win with the discarded tile, the next priority is given to players who want to use it to create a Pong (3 identical tiles) or Kong (4 identical tiles).
Priority 3: Forming a Chow
Only the next player in turn after the discarder can claim a tile to form a Chow (3 consecutive tiles in the same suit). Chow claims have the lowest priority and cannot override Pong or winning claims.
This order of priority ensures that players can’t skip ahead unfairly to claim a tile, preserving the game’s strategic depth.
Summary of Mahjong Tile Combinations
- Pair: Two identical tiles (e.g., 2 Bamboo + 2 Bamboo)
- Pong: Three of a kind (e.g., Red Dragon + Red Dragon + Red Dragon)
- Chow: A sequence of three (e.g., 4, 5, 6 Characters)
- Kong: Four of a kind (e.g., 7 Dot + 7 Dot + 7 Dot + 7 Dot)
Understanding these combinations is essential for identifying opportunities to form a complete hand and claim victory.
Why Play Mahjong at Royal Club?
At Royal Club, Mahjong is more than a traditional game—it’s a cultural experience combined with competitive entertainment. The platform ensures fair gameplay, a smooth user interface, and tables that simulate the real Mahjong experience. With both beginner-friendly tables and expert-level play, Royal Club caters to all Mahjong enthusiasts.
Whether you’re just learning the basics or aiming to master high-level strategy, Royal Club gives you the right tools and environment to succeed.
Conclusion
Mahjong is a game of skill, patience, and timing. With a rich cultural background and multiple regional variations, Mahjong offers endless replay value. Thanks to its balance of strategy and chance, it remains a favorite among casino lovers and casual gamers alike.
Now that you understand how to play Mahjong, the next step is simple: join Royal Club, start playing, and immerse yourself in one of the world’s most iconic tile games.
Play Mahjong at Royal Club today—where tradition meets strategy, and every tile tells a story.