Mahjong Books & Learning Resources
The best books and guides for mastering mahjong strategy, from beginner fundamentals to advanced competitive play.
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Essential Reading
Community Favorite Riichi Book 1 by Daina Chiba
The definitive English guide to Japanese riichi mahjong strategy. Free PDF or affordable print edition.
Best for: Intermediate riichi players ready to level up their strategy
- Assumes basic familiarity with rules
- Dense content - not a quick read
Your Mahjong Learning Path
1. Start with the Basics (Beginner)
Before diving into strategy books, make sure you understand the fundamentals:
- Our Complete Beginner's Guide — free, comprehensive, visual
- Yaku Reference — all 40+ yaku with examples
- Practice on Mahjong Soul — beginner-friendly online platform
2. Master Strategy (Intermediate)
Once you know the rules and have played 20-30 games:
- Riichi Book 1 by Daina Chiba — THE essential strategy resource (free PDF available!)
- Focus on tile efficiency and basic push/fold decisions
- Learn to read the discard pile
3. Refine Your Game (Advanced)
For serious competitive players:
- Advanced chapters of Riichi Book 1
- Study pro player game records
- Join local clubs or online communities for feedback
Why Riichi Book 1 is Essential
Free Online Resources
Beyond books, here are the best free resources for learning mahjong:
Websites & Guides
- Mastering Mahjong (this site!) — comprehensive guides, tools, and strategy
- Riichi.wiki — wiki-style reference for rules and yaku
- Arcturus NFKC Guide — detailed tile efficiency primer
YouTube Channels
- Light Grunty — English commentary, strategy analysis
- Daina Chiba — strategy lectures from the Riichi Book 1 author
- GensoMahjong — tournament coverage with English commentary
Practice Platforms
- Mahjong Soul — best for beginners, beautiful interface
- Tenhou — serious competitive play, established community
- Riichi City — newer option, available on Steam
Start Learning Today
The best part? You don't need to spend a dime. Riichi Book 1 is free, our guides are free, and online platforms are free. The only investment is your time and curiosity.