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Learn Hong Kong mahjong

9 short lessons. Each one takes a few minutes. Start at lesson 1 if you have never played.

0 of 9 lessons

Start: Meet the tiles

Lessons

The basics
  1. 1. Meet the tilesAll 144 tiles, and how to tell them apart.
  2. 2. Making setsChows, pungs, kongs and the pair. A hand is 4 sets and a pair.
Playing
  1. 3. Your turnDraw a tile, discard one, and set aside bonus tiles.
  2. 4. Calling tilesTake a discard to finish a set. Chows only from your left.
  3. 5. KongsThree ways to make a kong, the extra tile, and robbing a kong.
  4. 6. WinningA complete hand, waiting tiles, and the two ways to win.
Scoring
  1. 7. Faan scoringWhat scores, how much, and the 3 faan you need to win.
  2. 8. Special handsBig hands worth many faan: dragons, winds, all honors, thirteen orphans, Heaven's and Earth's hands, and more limit hands.
Playing well
  1. 9. Strategy basicsPlan your faan, keep your hand flexible, and discard safely.

Quick reviewRules at a glance

Play

Play Hong Kong mahjongA full game against three computer players.

How it differs from American mahjong

  • Chows are allowed. A chow is 3 numbers in a row in one suit.
  • There are no jokers. There are 144 tiles, not 152.
  • There is no card. Any 4 sets and a pair can win.
  • Flowers and seasons are bonus tiles. You set them aside and they add to your score.
  • Hands score in faan. You need at least 3 faan to win.

Every faan pattern is in the faan table. If you'd rather read, see how to play Hong Kong mahjong, faan scoring explained and Hong Kong vs American mahjong.

Want to learn American mahjong instead? Start the American course.