Mahjong FAQ · Learn at the table

What is the difference between Chinese Mahjong and American Mahjong?

A practical answer from Omaha Mahjong Club’s Chinese Mahjong learning library.

From the FAQ library

Chinese Mahjong

Chinese Mahjong (specifically the international standard, MCR) uses a points system called fans, where hands must meet a minimum fan threshold to win. American Mahjong uses a card published annually by the National Mah Jongg League with fixed hand patterns, joker tiles, and a very different scoring system. The tile sets, winning conditions, and overall gameplay feel quite different; Chinese Mahjong rewards flexible strategy while American Mahjong rewards memorizing and chasing specific card patterns.

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Mahjong FAQ

What refreshments should I bring for Mahjong?

Good Mahjong deserves good refreshments. Every class includes access to our self-serve station: - Chinese tea - Light snacks, such as pretzels and candy - Bringing your own snacks and beverages (of any kind) are welcomed

How does seating and wind assignment work at the start of a game?

At the start of a game, seats are typically assigned randomly by rolling dice or drawing tiles. Each seat corresponds to a wind: East, South, West, and North, which determines each player's seat wind tile bonus for that round. East seat is the dealer for the first hand. After each hand, seats and wind assignments rotate, though the exact rotation method varies by ruleset. The game typically consists of at least one full East round and one South round.