Getting started
Riichi Mahjong for Beginners
Tile types, winning hands, yaku and the flow of play. Start with these four essentials.
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Learn the rules, yaku and scoring, then explore tile efficiency and ways to review your results. New to mahjong? Start with the beginner’s guide. Need a score during a game? Open the scoring tables.
All mahjong guides
12 guides
Getting started
Mahjong House Rules Template
Starting points, uma, oka and other rules to agree on before playing—all on one sheet.
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Scores and yaku
Four-Player and Three-Player Scoring Tables
Look up dealer and non-dealer payments for ron and tsumo, including sanma payment options.
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Scores and yaku
How to Calculate Mahjong Scores
Count han, count fu, then find the score. Learn the process in three steps.
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Scores and yaku
Riichi Mahjong Yaku List
From your first yaku to yakuman: learn each condition with illustrated hands.
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Improve your play
An Introduction to Tile Efficiency
Which discard moves your hand forward? Learn shanten, ukeire and the five-block approach.
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Improve your play
Defense and Push–Fold Decisions
An opponent declares riichi. Consider safe tiles and your hand’s value before deciding what to do.
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Three-player mahjong
Three-Player Mahjong Rules
How does sanma differ from four-player mahjong? Check tsumo loss, North extraction and the tiles used.
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Three-player mahjong
Tracking Three-Player Mahjong Results
Understand three-player uma and net results. Record and analyze sanma separately from four-player games.
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Review your results
Understanding Average Placement
Average placement, first-place rate and last-place rate: read your results alongside the number of games played.
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Results and records
How to Calculate Mahjong Net Results
Work through raw scores, uma, oka, the conversion rate, chips and table fees in order.
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Results and records
Choosing a Mahjong Results Tracker
Compare paper, Excel and dedicated apps to find a recording method that suits you.
Read guideWhere should I start?
New to mahjong? Start with the rules
Learn the tiles and the shape of a winning hand, then move on to basic yaku and scoring.
When you need a score
Use the scoring tables for a quick answer. You can also learn how the calculation works and how sanma payments differ.
When you want to review your games
Learn how to calculate net results and interpret performance, then choose a recording method that works for you.