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Taiwanese vs Japanese, Chinese & American mahjong
“Mahjong” isn’t one game — it’s a family. The tiles look alike, but the hand size, the flowers, and the scoring differ sharply between styles. The headline split: Taiwanese builds a 16-tile hand of five sets plus a pair, while Japanese, Chinese, and American mahjong all build a 13-tile hand of four sets plus a pair.
| Taiwanese (LRC) | Japanese (Riichi) | Chinese (Official) | American (NMJL) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand size | 16 tiles (17 to win) | 13 tiles (14) | 13 tiles (14) | 13 tiles (14) |
| Winning shape | 5 sets + a pair | 4 sets + a pair | 4 sets + a pair | An exact hand from the annual card |
| Flowers | 8 bonus tiles, score points | None (red fives instead) | 8 bonus tiles, score points | None (jokers instead) |
| Scoring | Tai points; minimum 20 to win | Han + fu; a yaku is required | Fan; minimum 8 of 81 patterns | Fixed values on the yearly card |
| Signature rule | Flower bonuses & dealer streak | Riichi declaration & dora | 81 scoring patterns | Charleston tile-passing & jokers |
Taiwanese (16-tile)
Taiwanese mahjong, the LRC rules played here, is the 16-tile game. A winning hand is five sets plus a pair — 17 tiles when complete — so it’s larger and more forgiving than the 13-tile styles. It keeps the eight flower bonus tiles, scores in simple tai points with a minimum of 20 to win, and rewards a dealer on a winning streak. New to it? Start with how to play.
Japanese (Riichi)
Riichi is the 13-tile game most video games and anime feature. Its defining twist is that a hand needs at least one yaku — a qualifying pattern — or it can’t win, no matter how complete. Scoring uses han and fu, boosted by dora bonus tiles and the riichi declaration when you’re one tile away. There are no flowers; instead, red fives act as bonus tiles.
Chinese (Official / MCR)
Chinese Official rules — Mahjong Competition Rules, the tournament standard — are also 13-tile, four sets and a pair. Scoring runs on fan across 81 named patterns, with a hand needing at least 8 fan to win. Like Taiwanese, it uses the eight flower bonus tiles. It’s the most pattern-rich of the four, which makes it deep but demanding.
American (NMJL)
American mahjong stands apart. It’s 13-tile, but you don’t build free-form sets — you match an exact hand printed on the National Mah Jongg League’s annual card, which changes every year. It adds jokers and the Charleston, a ritual passing of tiles between players before play begins. Scores come straight from the card.
Which should you learn first?
If you want the gentlest start, Taiwanese and Chinese are forgiving: any hand that clears the minimum can win. Taiwanese in particular, with its larger 16-tile hand, gives you more routes to a complete hand. You can play Taiwanese mahjong free online here, then branch out once the basics feel natural — the tiles and the core idea of sets and pairs carry across every style.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between Taiwanese and Japanese mahjong?
The biggest difference is hand size: Taiwanese builds five sets plus a pair from 16 tiles, while Japanese Riichi builds four sets plus a pair from 13. Riichi also requires at least one yaku (scoring pattern) to win and scores with han and fu, adding the riichi declaration and dora; Taiwanese uses simpler tai points and eight flower bonus tiles.
Which version of mahjong is easiest for beginners?
Taiwanese and Chinese mahjong are often the gentlest start, because any hand that clears the minimum score can win. Japanese Riichi adds a yaku requirement and a deeper scoring table, and American mahjong needs the National Mah Jongg League card. The larger Taiwanese 16-tile hand also gives more ways to complete a win.