Complete Beginner's Guide to Riichi Mahjong
Learn riichi mahjong from scratch with our comprehensive step-by-step guide. By the end, you'll understand the rules, know how to build winning hands, and be ready to play your first game online.
This guide assumes zero prior knowledge. We'll cover everything from the basic tiles to your first winning hand, with clear explanations and visual examples throughout.
Each chapter builds on the previous one, so we recommend reading them in order. Feel free to bookmark this page and return whenever you need a refresher!
Course Chapters
What is Mahjong?
Discover the world's most popular tile game, its rich history, and why riichi mahjong is the perfect variant to learn first.
The Tiles
Master the 136 tiles that make up a mahjong set: suits, honors, and the notation system that brings it all together.
Goal of the Game
Learn the winning hand structure: four melds plus a pair. Understand sequences, triplets, and what it means to reach tenpai.
Gameplay Flow
Master the turn structure of riichi mahjong: dealing, drawing, discarding, and the rhythm of a round.
Open Melds
Learn when and how to call tiles from opponents: pon, chi, and kan. Understand the trade-offs between open and closed hands.
Winning Your Hand
Learn the two ways to win (tsumo and ron), how to declare victory, and the furiten rule that prevents certain wins.
Yaku: What Makes a Hand Valid
Master the essential yaku (scoring patterns) you need to win: riichi, tanyao, yakuhai, and more. Learn to recognize scoring opportunities.
Basic Scoring
Understand han, fu, and how points are calculated in riichi mahjong. Learn common score values and payment patterns.
Riichi Declaration
Master when to declare riichi, the risks and rewards, and strategic considerations. Learn to maximize your most powerful yaku.
Your First Game
Put everything together and play your first riichi mahjong game. Platform recommendations, beginner strategy, and next steps.
Ready to Start?
Begin with Chapter 1: What is Mahjong? You'll learn about the game's history, why riichi is the best variant to learn, and what makes mahjong so special.