matches Dot.
Matching Dragons
| Now place a Dragon next to its matching Suit. |
Hint: It can be easier to remember this concept by thinking of the Suits and Dragons as color-coded; Red/Crak, Green/Bam and Soap/Dot.
SOAP ALSO REPRESENTS A ZERO
Besides being a Dragon that matches Dot, Soap has another function. It is used as a “0.” Certain combinations on the Card of Hands (see next chapter) require zeros, such as the year 2004 on the sample card we’ll be using. There are no other tiles that represent “0,” so when a zero is required, you must use the Soap Dragon. It then becomes neutral. This means Soap can be used as a “0” not only with its matching Dot Suit, but with any other Suit. See the examples below.
Soaps used as “0”s
So Soap has a dual function: it is a Dragon and also a neutral “0.”
There are other neutral tiles that will be introduced as we go along. Any neutral tile may be used with any other tile in the set.
The next group of tiles is called Winds: North, South, East, and West. Easy to identify, they are marked with the initials N, S, E, W. There are four tiles of each Wind, for a total of 16. Winds are also neutral tiles.
Winds
| Find one set of Wind tiles and place them next to your other tiles. |
The next group of tiles is called Flowers. They are the most artistic and creatively designed of all the tiles and very distinctive. The flowers represented are plum blossom, chrysanthemum, orchid and, of course, bamboo, the most versatile plant in China. In older sets, as well as modern sets, the images of Flower tiles may vary from one set to another. All the flowers represented carry weighty symbolism in Chinese culture.
There are eight Flower tiles, usually four tiles representing flowers and four tiles representing people. It doesn’t matter if the images are of flowers or of people. They are all part of the Flower family, and called Flower. All modern American sets include both types, but people tiles are not found in some older sets. These sets only have images of flowers. Sometimes, Flower tiles are stamped with the seasons and/ or numbers. In the American mah jongg game these markings have no relevance so don’t pay attention to them. Flowers are neutral.
Flowers
| Select a couple of Flower tiles and place them with the other tiles. |
And finally, the last tiles are the Jokers. Easily distinguished, they are stamped with the word “Joker.” Jokers are like wild cards, and are very useful because they can replace any or all tiles in certain combinations needed for a hand. Jokers are also neutral, like the Winds, Flowers and Soap (when used as a “0”). There are eight Jokers.
Jokers
| Put a couple of Jokers next to the other tiles. |
Next, we will learn how to use these tiles to make the proper combinations needed for a hand. Combinations are made by grouping matching tiles together.
Matching tiles are identical tiles of the same Suit and same number, or same Dragon, same Wind, or same Flower. Two matching tiles are a Pair, three matching tiles are a Pung, four matching tiles are a Kong, five matching tiles are a Quint, and six matching tiles are a Sextet. In card games, this is referred to as “two of a kind,” “three of a kind,” “four of a kind,” and so on. But in mah jongg, it is referred to as matching tiles. These combinations are the basic building blocks of all hands and are going to be part of every mah jongg hand you play. The pictures below are examples of matching tiles.
Matching Tiles
Jokers can only be used in the following combinations: a Pung, a Kong, a Quint, or a Sextet.
Jokers may replace any tiles only in a Pung, Kong, Quint or Sextet. You may use as many Jokers as you wish (or have) for these combinations. Additionally, you are allowed to create combinations using all Jokers as well. When you use all Jokers, you do not need an identifying tile, which is a tile that identifies the combination.
What about Pairs? You may not use any Jokers in a Pair or for a Single tile. Never!
When you discard a tile, you must place it face up in the center of the table, and correctly announce it, identifying it by its Suit and number or name. For example, say “4-Crak,” “9-Dot,” “8-Bam,” “Flower” (no number or Season, please). Winds are identified by their direction, simply “North,” “South,” “East,” or “West.” For the Dragons, say “Red,” “Soap,” or “Green.” If and when you discard a Joker, you may say “Same” to indicate the previously discarded tile, or you may say “Joker.” Either is acceptable.
Now you have learned the names of the tiles, and you can identify them, their functions, and the concept of matching Dragons. You know what matching tiles are—the combinations of Pairs, Pungs, Kongs, Quints and Sextets—and you know how to use Jokers in these combinations. Great!
We have covered a lot of information and I realize there are so many new things you need to remember. You may want to reread this chapter to solidify your understanding of the information. Here is a summary of the important information for you to study and use to refresh your memory. The quiz that follows can help you make sure you understand all the ideas in this chapter before you go on to the next.
Chapter 2 Summary
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