2022 American Mahjong Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to the Gameplay, Rules and Strategies of the Mahjong Game

By Mill Evelyn

About the Book
Mahjong is a four-player game that is easily lovable when the rules surrounding it are well comprehended. It is also a game that is mentally played with a bit of luck on what made available for you. Mahjongg, a game that originated in China has spread round the world with different variations to it nowadays.
American Mahjongg is a variation of the original Mahjongg that follows the official National Mah Jongg League rules. Making the game of Mahjongg American Mahjongg Handbook gives a detailed, easy-to-follow and clear illustrations to help the reader through the nitty-gritty of the Mahjongg the game including a foundational knowledge of the game, the flow of the game at each step and tips and strategies to give you an edge over the opposition player. 
An interesting about this handbook is that even existing Mahjong players would be equipped with new tactics and strategies that would enhance their gameflow and further develop their play style.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AMD
• Release date: Apr 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9791222400020

Book preview

Copyright

2022 American Mahjong Handbook

Copyright © 2022 Evelyn Mill

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

While the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication, neither the authors nor the editors nor the publisher can accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions that may be made. The publisher makes no warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein.

Disclaimer

This book is geared towards providing information in regards to the topic and issue covered. The publication is sold with the idea that the publisher is not required to render accounting, officially permitted, or otherwise, qualified services. If advice is necessary. Legal or health professional, a practiced individual in the profession should be ordered.

Printed on acid-free paper.

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Contents

Copyright      i

Introduction      1

Origin of the Mahjong      2

Mahjong and the American Society      4

Terminologies of Mahjong      5

CHAPTER ONE      13

ELEMENTS OF MAHJONG      13

The Tiles      13

Joker Tiles      15

The Dices      16

The Tally Sticks      16

Wind Indicator      16

Scoring Sticks and Racks      17

Main Objective of the American Mahjong Game      17

CHAPTER TWO      19

HOW TO PLAY?      19

The Pre-Game      19

Mahjong Card      22

Types of Hands      25

Value of the Hands      26

Categories of NMJL Card      29

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The Charleston      31

The Gameplay      33

CHAPTER THREE      36

RULES, SCORING AND PENALTY      36

Important Rules of Gameplay      36

Scoring      38

Penalties      39

Etiquettes/Golden Rules of American Mahjong      40

CHAPTER FOUR      43

TIPS AND STRATEGIES OF AMERICAN MAHJONG      43

Tactics on Winning American Mahjong      43

Tips on Winning American Mahjong      46

General Guidelines      48

Initial Analysis/Choosing a Hand      50

Charleston Strategy      53

Reading Mahjong Hands      56

Strategic Phases of the Game      60

Early-in-the-Game Strategies (DEVELOP)      60

Mid-Game Strategies (ATTACK or BUILD)      64

End-of-Game Strategies (DEFEND)      66

About the Author      69

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Introduction

Mahjong is a game whose name may not be widespread but it happens to be one of the most popular games in the world. The word Mahjong though is a lot like saying the word Cards. When a person is playing Cards he/she might be playing Bridge, Canasta, Rummy, Gin Rummy or Spit. Mahjong likewise has several variations of it as well as versions such as American, Chinese, Vietnamese and Japanese. Most variations of the game are played with the same types of tiles. When talking about tiles, try to think of lovely things in your life that you like to have on your set of tiles, because Mahjong was really a celebration of all things Chinese. The images that can be seen on the tiles are things that the people of China loved. So it’s a bit of their history, part of their landscape, architecture, transportation and all things that make for China as a nation.

Mahjong itself is not a complicated game, the real challenge is actually understanding how the gameplay works and the ability to put a winning Hand together. It is a four player game (although the rules still makes it adaptable to be played by 2 or more players) that employs both luck and skill. The American Mahjong also known as the AM style is a very exciting style of Mahjong played in the United States. In 1935, this style became very popular, and in 1937 it was standardized in New York.

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Origin of the Mahjong

Mahjong or Mahjongg, pronounced either way, is a legendary tile game that is complex enough to