Popular Mahjong Types

Mahjong has a long and storied history, and while many of its classic forms aren't available online, some variations can still be found at online casinos catering to players in Ireland.

If you're keen to dive deeper into the world of mahjong variations, our comprehensive guide covers Chinese mahjong variants and others. There's a massive quantity of these to explore, so be sure to read on!

Exploring Chinese Mahjong Variants

Changsha Mahjong

Changsha Mahjong is a popular variant played in China's Hunan Province. For this version, players use special tiles consisting only of 2s, 5s, or 8s. Some specific tiles are prohibited from being picked up first from the table, and the use of wind tiles is also restricted. Whichever player wins each round gets to participate in a special bonus lottery, which often doubles their score.

Chinese Classical Mahjong

Considered the oldest form of Mahjong still played, Chinese Classical Mahjong gained popularity in America during the roaring '20s under various names. While it's less common in Asia now, it maintains a dedicated following in the West. Players score individually, with the possibility of surpassing the winning score.

Competition Mahjong

Mahjong societies in Ireland and elsewhere have adopted the international mahjong standard, established by the All-China Sports Federation in July 1998 for competitive play. This version emphasizes calculation and strategy, incorporating a wide array of alternative scoring rules for a more complex challenge.

Exploring Other Mahjong Variants

Filipino Mahjong

There are sixteen tile hands in Filipino mahjong. Tiles can be considered wild in some cases. Moreover, Honors are viewed as extra benefits.

Taiwanese Mahjong

The most popular form of mahjong in Taiwan is called Taiwanese mahjong, which employs hands of sixteen tiles, offers incentives to dealers and repeat dealerships, and enables many players to win from a single discard.

Japanese Mahjong

Mahjong is standardized in Japan and South Korea as Japanese Mahjong, which is also frequently seen in video games. The rules of Riichi and Dora are distinctive features of this version. Also, to account during play, tile discards are carefully put in front of each player in discard order. To finally increase their worth, some rules swap out certain number 5 tiles for red tiles.

Korean Mahjong

Korean Mahjong is a fantastic variant for three players that is distinctive in many ways. The seasons and one outfit are entirely absent. Play is quicker, and scoring is easier. The use of disguised hands is widespread, and no melded chows are permitted. Riichi plays a crucial role in the game as well.

Pussers Bones

A quick-moving variation called pussers bones was created by sailors in the Royal Australian Navy. Instead of using the terms East, South, West, and North, it employs terms like Eddie, Sammy, Wally, and Normie.

Singaporean Mahjong

Hong Kong and Singaporean mahjong are two closely related varieties. Four animal bonus tiles are used in Singaporean mahjong, and there are several alternate scoring methods that provide rewards midway through the game if specific criteria, like a kong, are satisfied. Melds might also come in a format that's distinct from the majority of other versions.

Vietnamese Mahjong

Eight specialist jokers are presented in Vietnamese mahjong. However, there are only eight more flowers for a total of 160 tiles. In a contemporary variation, the jokers are tripled or quadrupled for a total of 176 or 184 tiles.

Western Classical Mahjong

Joseph P. Babcock, a Standard Oil employee, brought mahjong to America in the 1920s, and western classical mahjong is a descendant of that game. These days, the word mostly refers to the Wright-Patterson regulations, which are employed by the American military, and other closely related American-made variations.

The Most Famous Mahjong variation

The most well-known Mahjong variant is Solitaire Mahjong, a one-player matching game that employs a set of mahjong tiles rather than playing cards. As opposed to being a physical tabletop game, it is more frequently played on a computer. While it is completely different from the four-player game of mahjong, it takes its name from that one.

Conclusion

The types of mahjong are massive, so it is better for players not to try every one of them. Even though everyone is not that different, only the scoring might be dissimilar.

The ideal choice is to select one game or max at two and master them. When a player is bored with that game, they can move on to the next version. Those who like to play alone can try Solitaire Mahjong.