The short answer: four players, 144 tiles, 13 tiles each to start. On your turn you draw one tile and discard one, building toward four sets plus a pair. The first player to complete that shape wins. Everything else is detail on top of this loop.
Rules articles make mahjong look like a legal document. It is actually one loop: draw, decide, discard. Brand new to the game? Start with our what is mahjong primer, then come back here.
What happens on every turn?
- You start with 13 tiles; the dealer draws first.
- Draw one tile from the wall on your turn.
- Use it, or claim a tile another player just discarded.
- Discard one tile face up in the middle.
- The wall holds 144 tiles: three suits of 1-9 with four copies each, plus winds, dragons, flowers, and seasons.
What calls can you make on a discard?
- Chow: take a discard to finish a three-tile sequence. Only from the player on your left.
- Pung: take a discard to make three of a kind. Anyone’s discard works.
- Kong: take a discard for four of a kind, then draw a replacement tile.
- Win: take a discard that completes your whole hand.
- Flowers and seasons: set them aside and draw replacements. They often add bonus points.
Do all versions follow the same rules?
The core loop is identical everywhere. The differences sit on top:
- Chinese and Hong Kong versions stay closest to the base game, mostly changing scoring.
- Japanese riichi adds a minimum-yaku requirement, closed-hand rules, and the furiten rule.
- American mahjong uses the NMJL yearly card, jokers, and a passing phase called the Charleston.
Our complete rules page covers each version in depth. This FAQ is the quick version for getting on the table tonight.
Want a full session walkthrough, from building the wall to calling your first win? Follow how to play mahjong.
Related Questions
How many tiles do you start with?
13 tiles each in most versions. In some rules the dealer draws a 14th before the first discard, but everyone plays from 13 during the hand.
Do you have to call a tile you can use?
No. You may pass any discard, even one that would complete your hand. Calling is always a choice, though some versions limit your options after you have called.
What happens when the wall runs out?
The hand ends in a draw. No scores change, the tiles get reshuffled, and the deal passes to the next player. It is a normal part of the game.