Mahjong FAQ · Learn at the table
A practical answer from Omaha Mahjong Club’s Chinese Mahjong learning library.
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Chinese Mahjong
A concealed hand is one where all sets were drawn from the wall without claiming any discards; every meld is hidden until the win is declared. An open hand has at least one meld claimed from another player's discard, which must be laid face-up on the table immediately. Concealed hands are generally harder to build but unlock higher-value scoring combinations, while open hands are more flexible but limit access to certain fan bonuses.
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Mahjong FAQ
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
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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.
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