The 144 tiles

Chapter 1 of 10 · 2 min

A set has 144 tiles. Most of them come four of a kind, and you will learn them faster by playing than by memorising.

1 of Characters, 5 of Characters, 9 of Characters

Characters (萬): the number is written at the top.

1 of Circles, 5 of Circles, 9 of Circles

Circles (筒): count the circles.

1 of Bamboo, 5 of Bamboo, 9 of Bamboo

Bamboo (索): the 1 is a bird.

Each suit has 1 to 9, four of each: 108 tiles.

East Wind, South Wind, West Wind, North Wind

The four winds: East, South, West, North.

Red Dragon, Green Dragon, White Dragon

The three dragons: red, green and white.

Winds and dragons are called honours. They can make a three of a kind, but never a run.

Flower 1, Flower 2, Flower 3, Flower 4, Season 1, Season 2, Season 3, Season 4

Eight bonus tiles, one of each. Chapter 5 covers them.

Quick check

Can winds make a run, like East, South, West?

Answer: No. Right. Only the three suits make runs. Honours only make three or four of a kind.