Mahjong FAQ · Learn at the table

What is the correct way to build the wall at the start of a game?

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

From the FAQ library

Chinese Mahjong

All 144 tiles are shuffled face-down in the center of the table. Each player builds a row of 18 tiles in front of them, stacked two tiles high, creating four sections that form a square wall. The dealer then rolls two dice to determine where the wall is broken and dealing begins from that point, going counterclockwise. Each player is dealt 13 tiles (the dealer receives 14), and the remaining tiles in the wall are drawn throughout the game.

Continue exploring

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.