5 articles · read in order

Scoring Explained

How mahjong hands are valued and paid across styles: why scoring varies, worked examples, limit hands, settling up and keeping score.

1Scoring Explained

Why Mahjong Scoring Varies So Much

No part of mahjong varies more than scoring. Payments evolved separately in different communities, which is why the same hand can be worth a little in one style and the limit in another.

2 min read

2Scoring Explained

Counting Faan Step by Step

A worked example of Hong Kong scoring: identify each faan element in the winning hand, add them up, check the minimum and limit, then convert to payment.

2 min read

3Scoring Explained

Riichi Scoring: A Worked Example

Follow a riichi hand from yaku to final points: count han from yaku and dora, add up fu from sets and waits, then read the value from the score table.

2 min read

4Scoring Explained

Limit Hands Across Styles

Limit hands are the rare patterns worth the maximum score: thirteen orphans, big three dragons, big four winds, all honours, nine gates and more. Here is how each style treats them.

2 min read

5Scoring Explained

Settling Up and Keeping Score

Mahjong groups keep score with chips, sticks, coins or a notebook. A clear method, agreed in advance, keeps the game friendly and the arithmetic quick.

2 min read