Mahjong Decoded is an independent encyclopedia of mahjong, written for curious beginners, returning players and anyone who has ever wondered what is happening at that noisy table of tiles. It explains the game's history, every tile, how to play, and the major rule sets — American, Hong Kong, Japanese Riichi and Chinese Official — side by side.
Every article is written in plain English, with tile diagrams drawn for this site and photographs from Wikimedia Commons. Where rules vary between groups, we say so rather than pretending there is one right answer. Before you play for anything that matters, agree the rules at your own table.
The site makes no outside requests and contains no links to other websites. Where an article suggests further study, it gives you a phrase to search for on YouTube instead. The clubs and lessons directory names established groups and the kinds of places that host games; schedules change often, so always check with a group before you go.