Instructions Chinesenspiel

Objective of the Game

The Chinese game, more commonly known as Mahjong, is a traditional Chinese game played by four players. The objective is to build a complete hand from specific combinations of tiles and score as many points as possible.

Components

• 144 Tiles consisting of:
• Suits: Dots, Bamboo, and Characters numbered from 1 to 9 (4 of each)
• 12 Dragon tiles (4 Red, 4 Green, 4 White)
• 16 Wind tiles (4 East, 4 South, 4 West, 4 North)
• 8 Bonus tiles (4 Flowers and 4 Seasons) – commonly used in some variants
• Scoring Boards for tracking points

Setup

1. Building the Wall: Shuffle all tiles face down and build four walls, each 18 tiles long and 2 tiles high.
2. Determine Seating and Wind Direction: Each player draws a wind tile to determine their starting position. The player with the east tile becomes the initial dealer.
3. Tile Distribution: Each player draws 13 tiles, with the east player drawing 14 as they discard first.

Gameplay

1. Play Order: The player in the east begins the game by discarding a tile face-up in the center.
2. Player Turn: The next player clockwise can claim the discarded tile to complete a set or draw a new tile from the wall.
3. Forming Combinations: Players aim to form combinations with their tiles:
4. Pong: Three identical tiles
5. Chi: A sequence of three consecutive tiles of the same suit
6. Kong: Four identical tiles (requires an additional drawn tile)
7. Pair: Two identical tiles
8. Calling Mahjong: A player wins by calling "Mahjong" after forming a complete hand of 4 sets and a pair.

Special Features and Winning Conditions

• Calls: Players can "call" a discarded tile to complete their hand or ongoing combinations.
• Flowers and Seasons: When drawn, these can be set aside, allowing for an extra draw.
• Strategic Considerations: Pay attention to what tiles opponents collect and hold crucial tiles at the right time. The game involves skillful and strategic planning.

End of a Round

A round ends when a player calls "Mahjong." Points are recorded, and a new round begins. The game can be played as a single round or over multiple rounds with cumulative scoring.

Mahjong is known for its cultural significance and tactical depth. It is not only a game of luck but also involves strategic thinking.