Learn mahjong
A visual guide
Mahjong looks complex because there are many tiles on the table. The core loop is simple: build sets, keep a pair, draw one tile, discard one tile, and watch for a winning hand.
What are the tiles?
A basic set has 34 unique tiles, with four copies of each. Three numbered suits run from 1 to 9, and the honor tiles are winds and dragons. Hover or tap any tile to learn its name and role.
How do you win?
A common winning hand is four sets plus one pair, for 14 tiles total. A set is a chow, pung, or kong. The pair is often called the eyes.
Standard hand
How do you draw tiles?
On your turn, draw from the wall, then discard one tile so your hand returns to its normal size. Use the mini simulator below to feel the rhythm.
Draw on your turn
Click Draw tile to take the next tile from the wall. Your hand will temporarily have one extra tile.
Play usually continues counter-clockwise. East begins the hand, then turns pass to South, West, and North.
What can you do each turn?
You always draw and discard on your own turn. Between turns, you may interrupt to claim another player's discard if it completes a useful set or wins the hand.
Claim trainer
Practice reading a discard. Select a move above, then test whether the sample tiles support that move.
Can you read the basics?
Use this mini quiz to check whether the essentials are starting to click. The goal is not memorization. It is pattern recognition.