# Winning (Hong Kong mahjong, lesson 6)

A complete hand, waiting tiles, and the two ways to win. Interactive version: https://learnmahjongquick.com/learn-hong-kong-mahjong/winning

### 1. A complete hand

You win when your tiles make 4 sets and a pair. Say "Mahjong" and lay them face up.

- 2 sets: 2 Dot, 3 Dot, 4 Dot, 6 Bam, 6 Bam, 6 Bam
- 2 sets: 1 Crak, 2 Crak, 3 Crak, Green Dragon, Green Dragon, Green Dragon
- 1 pair: North, North

Note: If you know American mahjong: there's no card. Any 4 sets and a pair can win, if it scores enough.

### 2. Waiting

When one more tile would finish your hand, you're waiting. The tiles that would finish it are your waiting tiles.

- Two tiles win (3 Dot or 6 Dot): 4 Dot, 5 Dot
- One tile wins (5 Dot): 4 Dot, 6 Dot
- Two tiles win (North or 8 Crak): North, North, 8 Crak, 8 Crak

### 3. Waiting tiles

Three sets are done. You also have 6 Bam, 7 Bam and two Red Dragons.

Try it: Pick every tile that would win. Tiles to pick from: 4 Bam, 5 Bam, 8 Crak, 8 Bam, Red Dragon, 9 Bam, 5 Dot.

### 4. Two ways to win

You can win with a tile you draw, or with a discard.

- Self-drawn (You draw the winning tile from the wall.)
- From a discard (Any player discards your winning tile. Call it.)

Note: To win, you can call from anyone, for any set: a chow, pung or the pair.

### 5. Who pays

- Win from a discard: the player who discarded it pays double. The other two pay single.
- Win self-drawn: all three other players pay double.
- More faan means a bigger payment. In our game, each faan doubles it.
- Some groups have the discarder pay for everyone, or use a smaller table for big hands.

### 6. The minimum score

- Faan are scoring points. Your hand must score at least 3 faan to win.
- A complete hand with fewer faan can't be declared.
- Some groups pick a different minimum. 3 is the most common.
- The next lesson shows how to get faan.

### 7. Quiz: Winning

- Q: Which tiles finish these two? [4 Dot, 5 Dot] A: 3 Dot or 6 Dot
- Q: Which tile finishes these two? [3 Bam, 5 Bam] A: 4 Bam
- Q: You draw your winning tile from the wall. What is that called? A: Self-drawn
- Q: The player across discards your winning tile. It finishes a chow. Can you take it? A: Yes. To win, you can call any tile from anyone.
- Q: Your hand is complete but scores 1 faan. The minimum is 3. Can you win? A: No. You need at least the minimum faan to win.
- Q: You win from a discard. Who pays the most? A: The player who discarded it. The discarder pays double. The other two pay single.

## What this lesson teaches

- You win with 4 sets and a pair, either self-drawn or from a discard.
- To win, you can call any tile from anyone.
- Your hand needs at least 3 faan, unless your group agrees on another minimum.