Mahjong is a tile-based game, originating from China, which is thought to date back to the Ming Dynasty. It is played by four players who compete against each other to see who can build the best combinations from the tiles provided. Mahjong involves many layers of strategy and is often thought of as a mind-game due to the complexity of its rules.
In Finland, Mahjong has grown in popularity over the years. It is often found in arcades, boardgame cafés, community centers, and even online! Online Mahjong is a great way to not only have fun but also practice your strategic prowess.
There are two main types of Mahjong – the traditional variant commonly found in Chinese culture, and the Japanese variant, which is more widely available in Finland. The basic rules for both versions of Mahjong are the same; however, there are some nuances between them.
In traditional Mahjong, players receive 14 tiles and will then attempt to build the best four-tile combinations (called 'melds') from the tiles available. However, in Japanese Mahjong, players start the game with 16 tiles and are allowed to make nine-tile melds.
The primary objective of the game is to create melds of tiles and score points based on the value of the melds. The player who reaches a predetermined number of points first, wins the game.
The points a player can score in Mahjong depend on their hand. A winning hand typically consists of four melds, which can range from simple ones to high-scoring combos. For example, a winning hand could include two ‘Triples’, which both score three points, and two ‘Quads’, which each score four points. In contrast, four consecutive Triples could score eight points.
There is no shortage of ways to play Mahjong in Finland. Popular variants include ‘Japanese Riichi Mahjong’, ‘Hong Kong Mahjong’, and ‘Maas Joennu’ – the Finnish version of Mahjong. ‘Japanese Riichi Mahjong’ is the version most often found in arcades, while ‘Hong Kong Mahjong’ favors larger groups, and ‘Maas Joennu’ is an excellent choice for those just starting out.
Mahjong has seen a gradual increase in popularity in Finland, and with this has come a whole host of variations. Whether you’re an experienced player, a complete beginner, or you’re simply looking to have a bit of fun - Mahjong is a great way to test your strategic skills and challenge yourself!