Mahjong FAQ · Learn at the table
A practical answer from Omaha Mahjong Club’s Chinese Mahjong learning library.
From the FAQ library
Chinese Mahjong
The Chicken Hand scores 0 fans. It is a winning hand with no special combinations whatsoever. Because it requires no skill or strategy to build, most rulesets restrict it to discard wins only (you cannot win with a self-draw Chicken Hand) or impose a penalty payment to the other players. The goal of the restriction is to maintain the integrity of the scoring system and ensure that winning hands represent some level of strategic intent.
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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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