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Mahjong FAQ
Clear answers to common questions about Chinese Mahjong, from the first wall to the winning hand.
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Questions that come up around the table.
Explore practical answers about Chinese Mahjong rules, scoring, table etiquette, tiles, lessons, and joining the Omaha Mahjong Club community.
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What refreshments should I bring for Mahjong?
Read the answerHow does seating and wind assignment work at the start of a game?
Read the answerHow many fans do you need to win a hand?
Read the answerHow do bonus tiles like flowers affect your score?
Read the answerWhat is the difference between a concealed hand and an open hand?
Read the answerWhat is tenpai, and why does it matter?
Read the answerWhat is the role of the dealer, and how does it rotate?
Read the answerWhat is the difference between Chinese Mahjong and American Mahjong?
Read the answerHow do you calculate the total score after someone wins?
Read the answerWhat is robbing a kong, and when is it allowed?
Read the answerWhat is included in private Mahjong lessons?
Read the answerWhat should I bring to Mahjong night?
Read the answerCan you win on a tile you just discarded yourself?
Read the answerWhat are the three main suits in Chinese Mahjong?
Read the answerHow do you win a hand in Chinese Mahjong?
Read the answerWhat is the etiquette for discarding tiles in Chinese Mahjong?
Read the answerWhy are certain hands like Chicken Hand discouraged or penalized?
Read the answerWhat happens when a player wins on a self-drawn tile?
Read the answerWhat is a false win and what are the penalties?
Read the answerWhat is a pung, and how is it different from a chow?
Read the answerHow many tiles are in a standard Chinese Mahjong set?
Read the answerWhat are flower and season tiles, and do all sets include them?
Read the answerWhat does it mean when the wall runs out of tiles before anyone wins?
Read the answerWhat is the difference between a prevalent wind and a seat wind?
Read the answerHow many Mahjong classes should I take?
Read the answerWhat does it mean to go mahjong?
Read the answerWhat is a kong, and when can you declare one?
Read the answerWhat are honor tiles and how do they differ from suit tiles?
Read the answerWhat is the correct way to build the wall at the start of a game?
Read the answerDo I need an official NMJL card to play Mahjong?
Read the answerWhat is the correct order of priority when multiple players want to claim the same discard?
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