1. Does the shape fit?
Account for the whole hand, including exposed groups and the winning tile. Match the structure to the game you are playing. A standard set-based hand, a special hand and an American card pattern are different checks.
When learning, separate the groups on a spare rack after the hand ends. If a tile is left over, or counted in two groups at once, resolve that before adding points.
2. Does it meet the winning requirement?
Riichi requires a yaku; dora alone is not one. MCR has an eight-point qualifying threshold, with flowers not supplying that threshold. Other games and house sheets set their own conditions. Our Taiwanese Club sheet is not interchangeable with Classic.
These are examples of why naming the ruleset matters. A hand can look complete and still be ineligible. Choose the guide for the table you are actually joining.
3. What is the payment?
Only then count the applicable scoring patterns and convert the result into the agreed payment. Keep track of who won, whether the tile was drawn or discarded, dealer status and any table-specific adjustments.
In Hé Fēn, inspect the breakdown rather than only the total. If a line surprises you, compare the recognised tiles and marked groups with the physical hand. If those details are correct and the score still seems wrong, send us the hand and ruleset so we can check.
Your turn
One quick scoring check
A Riichi hand has dora but no yaku. Assume the shape is complete. Can dora alone make the hand eligible?
Saved in this browser. Completion is yours to mark when you feel ready.
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A short pre-game conversation makes a better evening than a long rules argument.
Sources & scope
An original Hé Fēn explanation with our own teaching examples. Reference links checked 13 September 2026. We are not affiliated with these organisations.
- Riichi rules, 2025 edition European Mahjong Association. Competition rules for EMA play. Use the published edition and its annotations; other Riichi tables can differ.
- Mahjong Competition Rules World Mahjong Organization / EMA. The WMO 2006 Green Book and EMA tournament materials. Consult the event rules for tournament procedure.
- Taiwanese Club house sheet Hé Fēn Mahjong. The Hé Fēn club sheet’s point system and minimum to win, which differ from Taiwanese Classic.
- An introduction to American mah jongg National Mah Jongg League. The League’s introduction to its card-based game, the Charleston and jokers.