Scoring rules Scoring in Mahjong

1 scoring rules

1.1 hong kong scoring
1.2 chinese classical scoring
1.3 taiwanese scoring
1.4 shanghai scoring
1.5 singaporean scoring
1.6 japanese scoring
1.7 american scoring

scoring rules
hong kong scoring

in traditional hong kong scoring system, or cantonese scoring system, scoring tends low due low number of criteria used.

the general scoring modifiers apply (see above), point translation function being piecewise function: constant amount given scoreless hands , score doubled each point (that is, exponential function). because zero-point hands common, players play additional restriction winning hand must of point value, anywhere between 1 , 5 points, 3 being common.

chinese classical scoring

scoring in chinese classical system, babcock system derived, proceeds follows. when 1 player has won hand obtaining mahjong

each player adds basic points hand based on possession of melds, pairs , bonus tiles
winner adds additional basic points obtaining mahjong, , possibly completing hand in various special ways (for example, getting last tile wall)
each player doubles basic points 1 or more times based on possession of rarer melds or combinations of melds (for example set of prevailing wind tiles)
winner doubles basic points 1 or more times based on hand forming rarer patterns (for example, composed entirely of honour tiles) or being completed in special way (for example, robbing exposed kong)

the winner collects total points each of 3 losers. losers pay each other difference in points. east pays or receives double amounts in transactions.

various special limit hands exist which, if obtained (which unlikely), give holder maximum permitted amount (the limit) of points hand.

taiwanese scoring

unlike hong kong scoring, taiwanese scoring employs linear relationship between tai (points in taiwanese system) , chips. when win occurs in taiwanese mahjong, number of tai of winning hand multiplied factor , added base score. example, if base , factor 3 , 2, respectively, loser 5-tai hand pays winner 13 (3+2×5).

the taiwanese system follows different payment procedure standard procedure mentioned earlier:

in case player wins discard (a player picks off opponent), player performs discard pays each winner (there may more one).
in case player wins draw (a player wins self-pick), each player except winner pays winner.

when dealer involved in either winning or losing side of hand, tai (one plus twice number of times dealer has consecutively retained dealership) added dealer s winnings or losses.

shanghai scoring

in contrast, scoring system used in shanghai variant high, due diverse number of scoring criteria , inflated values rarer hands such thirteen terminals. because of inflated point values, there minimum point value in shanghai variant.

singaporean scoring

singaporean scoring similar of chinese classical system, accounts different set of tiles used therein. again, standard payment variations apply, although variants exist dealer must pay , receive double.

japanese scoring

the japanese scoring system system found in many mahjong video games. in variation, each player starts score anywhere between 20,000 , 30,000, typically represented series of bars resembling elongated chinese dominoes, in 4 denominations: 10,000, 5,000, 1,000, , 100. should player run out of bars, game ends, player furthest ahead in score declared winner.

american scoring

a side effect of babcock scoring system in 1920s many players sought after limit hands rather hands of smaller value. because of this, common hands abandoned, , way 1 win match hand list of hands.

today, in american variations, players use card define small set of hands valid winning hands, point value given each hand. system used 2 major governing bodies of mahjong in united states, national mah jongg league , american mah-jongg association, new cards define valid winning hands released annually.

typically, each card contains scoring criteria makes references year scoring cards released. example, 1985 scoring hand have hands containing melds of one, nine, eight, , 5 of suit.