How to Play British Style Mahjong – A Complete Guide

British Mahjong: A Variant Rooted in the Classic Chinese Game

Reportedly, Mahjong was introduced to the West in the early 20th century, gaining major popularity in the United States around 1923. Britain quickly caught the Mahjong fever, riding a wave of fascination with East Asian culture during that period. Following this surge of interest, Mahjong sets were primarily imported from China, exquisitely crafted from bone and bamboo.

We recently had the rare chance to see one of these beautiful antique Mahjong sets, brought in by one of our students. She inherited it from her mother, who had purchased the set and learned to play Mahjong on a cruise ship back in the 1930s. As you might expect, Mahjong’s popularity in Britain was largely confined to middle and upper-class households, where such luxury items and leisure pursuits were accessible.

It’s likely that Mahjong was somewhat forgotten during World War II, as many leisure activities were put on hold. However, the game saw a revival in the post-war years. By the 1960s and 1970s, a distinct set of “British Mahjong” rules had been developed and published. Formal Mahjong clubs began to adopt these British rules, which differed in scoring from the Chinese versions but maintained the same tile sets and core gameplay structure.

Common Foundations: Suits, Sets, and Setup

At its heart, British Mahjong is built directly upon the traditional Chinese Mahjong framework. The fundamental components—such as the suits, tiles, and overall game setup—remain remarkably consistent with the classic game, ensuring that players familiar with Chinese Mahjong can easily grasp the British variant.

• Suits and Tiles:
  British Mahjong uses the same tile categories as Chinese Mahjong, including the three classic suits: Dots (Circles), Bamboo (Sticks), and Characters (Numbers). Each suit contains tiles numbered from 1 to 9, making up the core of the game’s building blocks.
  Additionally, the honor tiles—Winds (East, South, West, North) and Dragons (Red, Green, White)—are retained in British Mahjong, maintaining the traditional tile set composition.
  British Mahjong may also include flower and season tiles, similar to Hong Kong style.

• Sets and Melds:
  The ways to form sets remain largely unchanged. Players aim to create melds such as:
  • Pongs (or Pungs): Three identical tiles
  • Chows: Three consecutive tiles of the same suit
  • Kongs: Four identical tiles
  • Pairs: Two identical tiles to complete a winning hand
    The objective of assembling these sets to form a complete winning hand mirrors the classic Chinese Mahjong goal.

• Game Setup and Play:
  The initial setup of the wall, the dealing of tiles, and the order of play in British Mahjong are closely aligned with traditional Chinese Mahjong. Players sit in fixed positions corresponding to the four winds, and gameplay progresses in a clockwise direction.
  Drawing and discarding tiles, claiming discarded tiles to complete melds, and forming a winning hand (Mahjong) follow the familiar mechanics from Chinese Mahjong.

Key Differences: Scoring System and Special Hands

While British Mahjong preserves the classic tile set and gameplay structure, it diverges significantly in how the game is scored and the nature of special winning hands. These distinctions define British Mahjong’s unique character.

• Scoring Rules:
  British Mahjong features a unique scoring system based on points and doubling, where each winning hand’s value is calculated by adding bonus points from tiles, the sets formed, and specific conditions like whether the hand is concealed or exposed. What sets British Mahjong apart from other styles is its distinct separation of minor and major tile bonus points, adding an extra strategic element to the game. Although the maximum score for any hand is capped at 1,000 points, the scoring can still be quite complex for beginners due to the many factors involved, requiring practice to master.
• Special Hands:
  British Mahjong introduces a variety of special hands—unique tile combinations that award bonus points or automatic wins—that may not exist or are defined differently in Chinese Mahjong. These special hands add variety and strategic depth to the game, encouraging players to aim for specific combinations beyond the standard melds. However, successfully aiming for some of these special hands typically requires advanced players facing off against each other, as it involves careful planning, strategy, and sometimes delaying easy wins to achieve high scores. For this reason, in everyday play—especially among casual players—it’s quite rare to see hands like “Imperial Jade,” “Four Blessings,” or “Three Great Scholar” actually achieved.
• Rule Adaptations:
  Other subtle rule modifications may include differences in how tiles are drawn or discarded, the treatment of flowers and seasons, and specific regulations for claiming discarded tiles.
  These adjustments align with British Mahjong’s goal of offering a streamlined, social-friendly, and somewhat less intricate experience compared to the often highly competitive Chinese Mahjong variants.

Some extra fun by playing goulash

One noteworthy aspect of British Mahjong is that, while it is rooted in the traditional Chinese game, it also incorporates some fun elements borrowed from American Mahjong. For example, the goulash is an alternative way to continue play after a draw, but it can also be played simply for entertainment in a few rounds. British Mahjong adopts the American use of four jokers as wild cards, which can replace any tile, adding an exciting twist to the game. It also introduces a tile exchange phase at the start of the game, similar to the American Charleston, further blending features from both traditions to create a unique playing experience.

We encourage some of our more experienced players to try playing goulash rounds for extra fun. We believe that most players enjoy exploring different game strategies more than focusing too seriously on calculating points. Simply put, we are not tournament players.

Summary

In essence, British Mahjong is a respectful homage to classic Chinese Mahjong, preserving its fundamental tile sets, suits, and gameplay structure. However, it evolves the experience through a distinctly British lens—refining the scoring system and enriching the game with unique special hands that introduce fresh challenges and strategic opportunities. We would say it is closer to International Chinese Mahjong, making it well suited for professionals and tournament players. Yet, for social play among family and friends, most people tend to keep things casual and simply settle points informally.

Where to play British Mahjong in London

Good question! Did we mention that we also teach British Mahjong rules? However, to find informal local groups or casual games near you, it’s usually best to do a proper Google search or check local Facebook groups and community message boards.

If you can travel to Central London, our regular Saturday afternoon play sessions might be just what you’re looking for. Simply visit our BOOK TICKETS page to find a date that suits you.