The Most Popular Type of Mahjong Called, Ranked

Choose the type you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 28, 2024 06:52
In a cozy room filled with the soft clacks of tiles and murmur of strategies, players gather around tables, diving deep into the world of Mahjong. This traditional game has splintered into numerous variations, each holding a special place in the hearts of its players. Understanding which type captures the most interest helps tailor community events and resources. By casting a vote for your preferred style of Mahjong, you contribute to a broader understanding of the game's appeal. This feedback not only shines a light on popular trends but also guides newcomers towards the versions that might best suit their taste. Your participation shapes the landscape of Mahjong, ensuring that all players find their perfect match.

What Is the Most Popular Type of Mahjong Called?

  1. 1
    63
    votes
    This is considered the most popular type of Mahjong, played with 144 tiles and various scoring systems. It is widely played in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other parts of the world.
    Chinese Official Mahjong is a widely popular variant of Mahjong that is played in China and other parts of the world. It is known for its complex rules and strategic gameplay, making it a favorite among seasoned Mahjong players. The game involves four players and a set of 144 tiles with different symbols and characters.
    • Number of Players: 4
    • Number of Tiles: 144
    • Tile Types: Character, Bamboo, Circle, Wind, Dragon
    • Gameplay: Turn-based
    • Objective: Complete various sets and runs of tiles to form a winning hand
  2. 2
    29
    votes
    This variation of Mahjong is similar to Chinese Official Mahjong but has some unique rules and scoring methods. It is popular in Hong Kong and other parts of Southeast Asia.
    Hong Kong Mahjong is the most popular variation of the Mahjong game. It originated in the 19th century and is played with four players who aim to create specific combinations of tiles to achieve the highest score. The game requires strategic thinking and requires players to be familiar with various scoring rules and hands.
    • Number of Tiles: 144 tiles
    • Players: 4
    • Tile Types: 3 (Character, Circle, Bamboo)
    • Wind Tiles: 4 (East, South, West, North)
    • Dragon Tiles: 3 (Red, Green, White)
  3. 3
    25
    votes

    American Mahjong

    Joseph P. Babcock
    This type of Mahjong is played with a set of 152 tiles and has its own set of rules and scoring methods. It is popular in North America and other parts of the world.
    American Mahjong, also known as Mah Jongg or Mahjongg, is a popular tile-based game that originated in China and was adapted for American players. It is commonly played with four players and 152 tiles, which consist of various suits, honors, and flowers. The goal of American Mahjong is to be the first player to form a complete hand of tiles by making specific sets and sequences.
    • Number of players: 4
    • Number of tiles: 152
    • Tile types: Suits, honors, and flowers
    • Game objective: Form a complete hand of tiles
    • Tile setup: Arranged face down and shuffled
  4. 4
    17
    votes

    Japanese Mahjong

    Sakaguchi Hidejiro
    This variation of Mahjong is played with a set of 136 tiles and has its own unique rules and scoring methods. It is popular in Japan and other parts of East Asia.
    Japanese Mahjong, also known as Riichi Mahjong, is a variant of the traditional Chinese game of mahjong. It has gained significant popularity in Japan and has become the most commonly played form of mahjong in the country.
    • Tile set: 136 tiles (including 108 suited tiles, 28 honor tiles (winds and dragons))
    • Scoring system: Uses a complex scoring system based on a combination of yaku (specific patterns) and han (scoring values)
    • Hands: Players aim to complete specific hand combinations by collecting sets of tiles (triplets and sequences)
    • Riichi: Players can declare Riichi, which is a special bet to win the round with a concealed hand
    • Dead wall: A wall of tiles that is not used for gameplay and is only revealed during certain situations
  5. 5
    22
    votes
    This is a variation of Japanese Mahjong that has become popular in recent years. It involves a unique set of rules and scoring methods, including a "riichi" system that allows players to declare their hand early for bonus points.
    Riichi Mahjong is a popular variant of the traditional Chinese tile-based game. It was developed in Japan and has gained global popularity. The game is known for its strategic depth and fast-paced gameplay.
    • Number of Tiles: 136
    • Players: 4
    • Hand Composition: 14 tiles per player
    • Yaku (Scoring Elements): Over 100 variations
    • Starting Points: 30,000
  6. 6
    13
    votes
    This variation of Mahjong is played with a set of 136 tiles and has its own unique rules and scoring methods. It is popular in Taiwan and other parts of East Asia.
  7. 7
    0
    votes
    This variation of Mahjong is played with a set of 144 tiles and has its own unique rules and scoring methods. It is popular in Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia.
    Vietnamese Mahjong, also known as Vietnamese Mahjongg, is a popular variant of the traditional Mahjong game that originated in Vietnam. It shares similarities with other regional variations of Mahjong, as well as some unique features.
    • Tile Set: Vietnamese Mahjong is played with a set of 144 tiles, containing three suits: circles, bamboo, and characters. In addition, there are four directional wind tiles (East, South, West, North) and three special honor tiles: red dragon, green dragon, and white dragon.
    • Joker Tiles: Vietnamese Mahjong does not use joker tiles.
    • Initial Tile Distribution: Each player starts with 13 tiles, and the dealer starts with 14 tiles.
    • Gameplay: The gameplay involves players taking turns to draw and discard tiles with the goal of creating matching sets (such as three of a kind or a sequence of consecutive numbers) and declaring Mahjong.
    • Scoring: Vietnamese Mahjong has various scoring systems, including point-based scoring or a simplified method where only certain sets have assigned values.
  8. 8
    6
    votes
    This variation of Mahjong is played with a set of 144 tiles and has its own unique rules and scoring methods. It is popular in Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia.
    Malaysian Mahjong, also known as 'Mahjong Mid-Autumn', is a popular variant of Mahjong played in Malaysia. It is a streamlined version of the traditional Chinese Mahjong, featuring a unique set of rules and gameplay elements.
    • Number of tiles: 136 tiles
    • Tile types: Simples, Honors, Bonus tiles
    • Players: 4 players
    • Hand size: 13 tiles
    • Winning condition: Forming specific combinations of tiles (melds)
  9. 9
    12
    votes
    This variation of Mahjong is played with a set of 144 tiles and has its own unique rules and scoring methods. It is popular in Singapore and other parts of Southeast Asia.
    Singaporean Mahjong, also known as Singapore Mahjong, is a popular variant of the traditional Mahjong game that is commonly played in Singapore. It is believed to have been developed by a group of local Mahjong enthusiasts in Singapore.
    • Number of Players: 4
    • Tiles: 144 tiles (including Flowers and Seasons)
    • Tile Types: Simples, Honors, Winds, Dragons, Flowers, Seasons
    • Tile Distribution: Each player receives 13 tiles initially
    • Jokers: No
  10. 10
    12
    votes
    This variation of Mahjong is played with a set of 144 tiles and has its own unique rules and scoring methods. It is popular in Korea and other parts of East Asia.
    Korean Mahjong, also known as Kkachi Mahjong, is a popular form of Mahjong played in South Korea. It has its own unique set of rules and gameplay that differentiate it from other variations of Mahjong.
    • Number of Tiles: 144 tiles
    • Tile Set: Traditional Chinese characters
    • Players: 4 players
    • Jokers: No jokers
    • Flowers/Seasons: No flowers/seasons

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Ranking factors for popular type

  1. Global popularity
    How widely played and recognized is the type of Mahjong across different countries and regions?
  2. Number of players
    How many people actively play the type of Mahjong on a regular basis?
  3. Historical significance
    Does the type of Mahjong have a rich and interesting history that has helped to make it popular?
  4. Competitive scene
    Is the type of Mahjong played in organized competitions and tournaments, with a strong community of skilled players?
  5. Availability
    Is the type of Mahjong widely available online or in physical locations, such as clubs or gaming stores?
  6. Accessibility
    Is the type of Mahjong easy to learn and play, or is it more complex and challenging?
  7. Variations
    Are there many different variations of the type of Mahjong that can be played, allowing for continued interest and engagement among players?

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular type of Mahjong called. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or type is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 3293 views
  • 198 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each type once every 24 hours. The rank of each type is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular type of mahjong called

Mahjong is a tile-based game that originated in China during the Qing dynasty. It has since spread across the world and is now enjoyed by millions of people. There are many different types of Mahjong played around the world, each with its own set of rules and variations. However, the most popular type of Mahjong is called "Chinese Official" or "Guobiao" Mahjong. This version of the game is played with 144 tiles and four players, and is recognized as the official competition format for Mahjong in China. It is also the type of Mahjong played in international competitions and is widely considered to be the most challenging and strategic variation of the game.

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