The short answer: Chinese Mahjong scoring is base points multiplied by your fan count — the more fan, the more it pays — but every region has its own table. Common fan include All Pong, Pure One Suit, and Fully Concealed. Flowers and kongs add extra points. Agree on a scoring table before the game starts.
There is no single Chinese Mahjong scoring system. Different tables and cities score differently. But the core idea is the same everywhere: more fan, more points.
What is the basic scoring formula in Chinese Mahjong?
Most Chinese rulesets use the same shape: base points times fan. Base is the floor for any win, and each fan roughly doubles your total.
- Base points: the minimum every winning hand pays, set by your table.
- Fan: your multiplier count. 1 fan is a plain win; 2 fan doubles it.
- Some rulesets publish fixed fan tables instead of doubling — check yours.
Which patterns add fan, and how do I score a win?
- All Pong (three triplets) adds 1 fan at most tables.
- Pure One Suit adds 3 fan or more.
- Fully Concealed (no calls) adds 1–2 fan.
- Flowers and kongs each add points, and a kong gives you a replacement tile.
- Settle up: on a discard win the discarder usually pays; on a self-draw everyone pays.
Scoring tables change from city to city, so agree on one before the first round. Start with the general framework in how to score mahjong, and if you play the American version, the system is completely different — see how to score American Mahjong. Practice hands first in Turtle Free Mahjong.
Related Questions
What is the highest possible score in Chinese Mahjong?
Theoretical hands can reach hundreds of fan, but real games rarely pass ten. The ceiling depends on your scoring table, and a multi-fan monster hand is a once-in-a-year event.
Do flowers count in Chinese Mahjong scoring?
Usually yes. Most rulesets give each flower a point or a fan, and collecting all four can be a bonus on its own. Some simplified games skip flowers entirely.
What is the difference between fan and points?
Fan describes your hand’s patterns; points are what you actually get paid. More fan normally means more points, but the exact conversion is up to your local table.
Is Chinese Mahjong scoring the same everywhere?
No. Guangzhou, Shanghai, Sichuan, and the international MCR rules all differ in base values, fan values, and payment rules. Always agree on a table before you shuffle.