How to Keep Score in Mah Jongg

Now you're getting the hang of the game. How do you know who wins? Keeping score in Mah Jongg is tricky.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 4 Chairs
• Card Tables
• Pencils
• Pencils
• Mah Jongg
• Mah Jongg Tiles
• Scoring Pads
• Pencils

1. Award each player 2,000 points to start the game.

2. Count the sets you have complete with pungs showing face-up as well as any sets concealed in your hand.

3. Earn 2 points for each melded triplet, each pair of any color, or a pair from your wind (East, for example).

4. Score 4 points for concealed triplets or pungs (sets of three) of the following: ones, nines, red, white, green, or any of the winds. All other pungs get 2 points each. Double these scores if the winning tile was drawn from the wall.

5. Collect 16 points for kongs (sets of four) of the following: concealed, ones, nines, red, white, green, or any of the winds. All other kongs get 8 points each. Double these scores if the winning tile was drawn from the wall.

6. Award 20 points for winning. The winner of a hand receives points equal to his or her score - each of the other players pays this amount from his own point pool. Only the winner collects points.

7. Pay the winner (in points) if he or she won by using a discard and you were the player who put that tile down. If the winner drew from the wall, he or she earns 2 points, and all three players pay the winner.

8. Pay double if you were the dealer and lost. Conversely, you are paid double if you win.

9. If you drew a season or flower tile during the hand, you earn 1 point. If it matched your direction and you're the winner, your score doubles. The designations are Winter/bamboo for North, Summer/orchid for South, Spring/plum for East and Autumn/chrysanthemum for West.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to hang on to the scoring sheet that comes with your tile set.