Types of Mahjong, All Major Variants

Mahjong has been played for 150+ years across dozens of cultures, and every region developed its own rules, scoring, and traditions. This guide covers all seven major variants, each with a dedicated rules page. New to Mahjong? Start with Hong Kong rules first.

The most widely played Mahjong variant outside of Japan and the best starting point for new players. Hong Kong rules use a faan-based scoring system, allow Chow from any discard (with priority rules), and require a minimum hand value to declare a win. It's forgiving enough for beginners but has enough strategic depth for experienced players.

The most structured and formalized variant, dominant in competitive play and online (Mahjong Soul). Uses han/fu scoring, the Riichi declaration (lock your hand, bet 1,000 points), Dora bonus tiles, and the furiten rule. A yaku (qualifying condition) is required to win, Dora alone is not enough.

Deals each player 16 tiles instead of 13, creating larger hands and more complex winning possibilities. Adds personal flower tiles for each seat (worth 1 tai bonus when drawn), uses a tai scoring system, and generally does not allow Chow from discards. Popular at family gatherings in Taiwan and among the Taiwanese diaspora.

Uses only 108 suited tiles, no Winds, no Dragons, no Bonus tiles. Discarded tiles cannot be claimed; every tile must be drawn from the Wall. Dramatically faster than other variants. The popular Bloody Sichuan variant adds a suit-lock rule: once you win with a suit, you must keep winning with that suit for the rest of the game.

Closely related to Hong Kong rules but adds joker tiles (wildcards), animal tiles (Cat, Mouse, Rooster, Centipede, each worth instant cash when drawn), and a point-based payment system. One of the most luck-dependent variants. Popular across Singapore, Malaysia, and Southeast Asian Chinese communities.

A significantly different game from Asian variants. Uses 8 joker tiles, an annual NMJL card listing the only legal winning hands, and the Charleston, a pre-game tile-passing ritual. No traditional Chow/Pong/Kong mechanics. Popular among Jewish-American and Chinese-American communities across the US.

The original Mahjong, rarely played today. Uses a doubling scoring system where each qualifying element doubles the total value, creating enormous variance. Recognizes hundreds of special hands. The historical foundation all modern variants evolved from. Best for enthusiasts and historians rather than casual players.