Start enjoying mahjong games with family and friends, at local tournaments, and by hosting your own parties
Mahjong For Dummies will teach you how to play traditional Chinese mahjong, American mahjong, and many other variations. This simple book breaks down the rules, explains the different mahjong styles, and offers easy-to-understand explanations and diagrams. Get playing right away, without getting bogged down by technicalities. After all, the essence of mahjong is the shared experience! When you're ready, you can find advanced strategies and more complex rules, clearly explained. Confidently begin playing and organizing your own games, thanks to this clear Dummies guide.
- Learn the rules of mahjong in an accessible and engaging style, with a focus on enjoying the game
- Improve your skill and understanding with charts, diagrams, scorecards, and cheat sheets
- Grasp the game's mechanics so you can make the right decisions, manage risk, and improve your chance of winning
- Read about the cultural context and rich history of Mahjong
Mahjong For Dummies offers something for everyone and is great for complete beginners and experienced players alike.
Introduction 1
Part 1: Mastering Cantonese Mahjong 7
Chapter 1: Setting Up to Play 9
Chapter 2: Starting the Game: A Step-by-Step Guide 21
Chapter 3: Playing via Claiming and Discarding 33
Chapter 4: Scoring Cantonese Mahjong and Winning Big Time 47
Chapter 5: Starting the Next Round, Passing the Dealer, and Minding Your
Manners 67
Part 2: Mastering American Mah Jongg 73
Chapter 6: Playing in a Whole Different League with American Mah Jongg 75
Chapter 7: Starting the Game: A Step-by-Step Guide 97
Chapter 8: Playing via Claiming and Discarding 111
Chapter 9: Scoring and Strategizing in American Mah Jongg 127
Chapter 10: Starting the Next Round and Passing the Dealer 147
Part 3: A Quick Guide to Other Regional Variants 153
Chapter 11: Cranking Up Your Brain with Japanese Mahjong (Riichi): Game
Setup and Initial Play 155
Chapter 12: Cranking Up Your Brain with Japanese Mahjong (Riichi): Winning
and Scoring 181
Chapter 13: Exploring Taiwanese Mahjong 205
Chapter 14: Feeling the Pressure of Sichuan Blood Battle Mahjong 219
Chapter 15: Going Wild with Southeast Asian Mahjong 233
Part 4: The Part of Tens 263
Chapter 16: Ten Ways to Play More Mahjong 265
Chapter 17: Ten Common Mahjong Customs from Around the World 271
Chapter 18: Ten Things You Need to Host the Perfect Mahjong Party 275
Index 279
Ruoyi Jiang is the founder and Creative Director of Chop Suey Club, a platform that promotes and celebrates Chinese-diaspora culture around the world. She introduced a new wave of mahjong culture to the U.S. through immersive classes and curated events.
