The Basics of 3-Person Mahjong
3-person mahjong is a variation of the classic Chinese game of mahjong, played with three players instead of the usual four. It uses a special set of tiles that includes Dragon tiles and Wind tiles, and the objective of the game is to be the first player to meld all of their tiles into sets and runs.
The Tiles
The 3-person mahjong set consists of 144 tiles, which are divided into the following suits:
- Characters: 36 tiles, numbered from 1 to 9 and printed with Chinese characters
- Bamboo: 36 tiles, numbered from 1 to 9 and printed with bamboo shoots
- Dots: 36 tiles, numbered from 1 to 9 and printed with dots
- Winds: 12 tiles, representing the four winds (North, South, East, and West)
- Dragons: 12 tiles, representing the three dragons (Red, Green, and White)
Setting Up the Game
- Shuffle the tiles and stack them into a wall in the center of the table.
- Each player takes 36 tiles from the wall and arranges them into a rack in front of them.
- One player is designated as the dealer, and they draw an extra tile from the wall.
Playing the Game
The dealer starts the game by discarding a tile from their rack. The player to their left then either matches the discarded tile with a tile from their own rack (creating a meld), or picks up the discarded tile.
Players can meld tiles into the following combinations:
- Chow: A run of three tiles of the same suit in sequential order
- Pung: A set of three identical tiles
- Kong: A set of four identical tiles
- Concealed Kong: A kong that has not been declared to the other players
Players can also form pairs of tiles, which are not considered melds.
The game continues until one player has melded all of their tiles. This player is declared the winner.
Tips for Playing 3-Person Mahjong
- Pay attention to the tiles that have been discarded by other players. This will give you clues about what tiles they are likely to be holding.
- Try to form melds early in the game. This will give you a better chance of winning.
- Don’t be afraid to discard tiles that you don’t need. Discarding tiles can help you to draw tiles that you do need.
- Be patient. 3-person mahjong can be a long game, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t win right away.
The Benefits of Playing 3-Person Mahjong
3-person mahjong is a great game for honing your strategic thinking skills, and it can help to improve your memory and concentration. It is also a great game for playing with friends and family, and it can help you to socialize and make new friends.
Variations of 3-Person Mahjong
There are many different variations of 3-person mahjong, each with its own unique set of rules. Some of the most popular variations include:
- Cantonese 3-Person Mahjong: This is the most popular variation of 3-person mahjong, and it is played in Hong Kong, Macau, and other parts of southern China.
- Japanese 3-Person Mahjong: This variation is played in Japan, and it is very similar to Cantonese 3-person mahjong.
- Korean 3-Person Mahjong: This variation is played in Korea, and it is more complex than Cantonese and Japanese 3-person mahjong.
Conclusion
3-person mahjong is a fun and challenging game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great game for playing with friends and family, and it can help you to hone your strategic thinking skills, improve your memory and concentration, and socialize and make new friends.
