Mahjong Rules used in the game
Hong Kong mahjong rules
Four players. Old Style scoring. A 3 fan minimum.
Hong Kong mahjong has local variations. This page explains the choices in Mahjong Live’s current preset. Always check the table settings rather than assuming every Hong Kong game uses the same rules.
The basics
- Four players take turns counterclockwise.
- A normal win has four complete sets and a pair.
- Chow is three consecutive numbers in one suit, Pung is three identical tiles, and Kong is four identical tiles.
- Only the next player may Chow a discard. Any player may make a legal Pung, Kong or winning claim.
- A winning claim beats Pung or Kong; those calls beat Chow. Equal claims are resolved by turn distance from the discarder.
What does “3 fan” mean?
A hand must earn at least 3 qualifying fan before flower-related bonuses. A neat-looking hand of four sets and a pair may still be too low to win. The game calculates the score before accepting a winning call.
| Pattern | Qualifying fan |
|---|---|
| Dragon Pung or Kong | 1 each |
| Seat-wind or round-wind Pung or Kong | 1 each |
| All Pungs or Kongs | 3 |
| One suit plus honours (half flush) | 3 |
| One suit only (full flush) | 6 |
| Seven distinct pairs, concealed | 4 |
| Self-draw | 1 |
This is a starter list, not the complete scoring table. Some patterns replace others rather than adding together. Seven distinct pairs and thirteen orphans are the special winning shapes enabled in this preset; a four-of-a-kind is not two pairs.
Flowers are optional on custom tables
Flowers and seasons are on by default: 144 physical tiles. Custom practice and live tables can turn both off: 136 tiles. Ranked uses flowers on. Bonuses are exposed and replaced, not used in sets. Flower bonuses cannot meet the 3 fan minimum. Turning flowers off also removes flower-related awards, including the no-bonus-tile award.
Choose a game that suits you
Custom tables can use a single hand or an East-round game, choose a turn pace (including No limit), and offer move help. Tile and mat choices are cosmetic. Bots fill seats when the host adds them; those games are unrated.
Keep records comparable
Ratings and win/loss records stay separate by ruleset and competitive format. Flowerless games, practice, bot games and human competition are not blended into a single rating.
Other mahjong rules
Japanese Riichi, Chinese Official, American mahjong and other regional games use different scoring or procedures. They are not selectable new-game rulesets in the current menu. This guide does not apply to them.