GameTwist

In Hong Kong Mahjong four players play against each other. The aim of the game is to form combinations of stones in order to achieve the most points possible.

Playing Pieces

The game is played with 144 different stones. There are three suits: Bamboos, Lotus and Characters. Each suit has nine values and there are four stones of each value.

Bamboos:

Lotus:

Characters:

Additionally there are four Winds (East Wind = E, South Wind = S, West Wind = W and North Wind = N) and three Dragons (Red, White and Green).

Winds:

Dragons:

There are also four Flowers and four Seasons.

Flowers:

Seasons:

Each Flower and Season is numbered and this corresponds to a wind direction:

Starting the Game

A wind direction is assigned to each player. Play rotates anti-clockwise following the order: East Wind, South Wind, West Wind and North Wind. Each player receives 13 stones at the start of the game. The player, to whom the East Wind is assigned, begins the game with 14 stones.

Game

Each player forms combinations (also known as melds) in his/her own hand. These melds, however, may only be laid once the player can call a Mahjong and therefore end the game. The exception is a meld, which can be formed using a discarded stone such as a Kong meld (see below). The East Wind begins the game by laying a stone in the middle of the playing field. The next player must then take a stone and discard a stone of his/her choice. The pattern continues until a player can lay a meld with a discarded stone. The player must call the meld, take the stone and then lay the meld. This must be laid open so that all players can see it. The player must then discard a further stone. As a result it can mean that players do not get to take a turn.

If two players want to use the same discarded stone for their melds, the following rules apply:

• Pong and Kong are favoured over Chow.

• A Mahjong (win) is always favoured.

If two players can form a Mahjong with the same stone, the player, whose turn it is first, is favoured.

Melds

The following melds can be called:

Chow

A Chow consists of three consecutive stones of the same suit. A Chow may only be called if it is the player’s turn (when the required stone has been laid by the player to the left).

Pong

A Pong consists of three like stones.

Kong

A Kong consists of four like stones. If a Kong is laid, the player may draw a replacement stone. A Kong can also be laid directly from the hand in order to receive a replacement stone and therefore have more of a chance to form melds.

Paire

A Pair consists of two like stones. Such a pair may not be formed using a discarded stone unless the player calls a Mahjong.

Flowers and Seasons

Flower and Season stones are laid as soon as they are picked up, meaning a replacement stone is taken.

Mahjong / Win

If a player can form a total of four melds of Pongs, Kongs or Chows, as well as a single Pair, he/she can call Mahjong and win the game. The points depend on the melds. If a player ends the game with 0 points, the game is drawn.

Exception: In addition to a having a regular Mahjong, the game can be brought to an end with 7 pairs or the special hand "Thirteen Wonders" (see below).

Points

A different number of points is awarded depending on how the Mahjong is formed. The winning hand is first assessed in Fans, which are then converted into points.

Special Hands

Special Hands are worth a maximum of 64 Fans. The following Special Hands exist:

Hidden Treasure:

Four Pongs and any Pair. This Mahjong must be played directly from the hand and the last stone must have been picked up.

The Great Scholars:

Pongs or Kongs with all three Dragons, any Pong, Kong or Chow and a Pair.

Four Winds:

Four Pongs or Kongs and a Pair. Additionally all four Winds must be included.

Only Dragons and Winds:

Four Pongs or Kongs and a Pair of Dragons and Winds.

Only Keystones:

Four Pongs or Kongs, as well as a Pair of 1s and 9s.

Nine Gates:

All stones are the same suit. A Pong of 1s and a Pong of 9s. One of each other stone as well as a further stone to form the Pair.

Kongs:

Only Kongs and a Pair.

Jade Dragon:

A Pong of Green Dragons and only Pongs and Kongs of Bamboos.

Ruby Dragon:

A Pong of Red Dragons and only Pongs and Kongs of Lotus.

Pearl Dragon:

A Pong of White Dragons and only Pongs and Kongs of Characters.

Thirteen Wonders:

A dragon and a Wind, 1 and 9 from every suit, and a 14th stone to form a pair with one of the other stones.

Fans for normal hands

If no Special Hand is formed, the Fans are awarded and accumulated for melds as follows:

Points

The Fans are then converted into points: