The Mahjong Blog
Guides, strategy, reviews, and insights to help you master the game.
22 articles
Mahjong Soul Ranks Explained: Novice to Celestial
How Mahjong Soul ranks work — the six tiers from Novice to Celestial, which room each unlocks, and how placement points move you up or down.
Riichi Mahjong Defense: When to Fold and How to Stay Safe
Learn riichi mahjong defense — when to fold, how to read safe tiles with genbutsu and suji, and why not dealing in beats chasing every hand.
American Mahjong Scoring Explained: How NMJL Points Work
How American (NMJL) mahjong scoring works — what the number on the card means, who pays the winner, and why self-picking your winning tile pays double.
Best American Mahjong Sets 2026: NMJL Buying Guide
The best American mahjong sets for NMJL play in 2026. Compare top picks with engraved tiles, complete racks, and joker counts that match the official card.
Best Mahjong Set for Beginners: Top Picks Under $100
The best beginner mahjong sets under $100. Compare the GUSTARIA American set, the YMI Japanese Riichi set, and other budget picks for new players.
Mahjong Soul Yaku Cheat Sheet: All 40+ Yaku With In-Game Examples
Every yaku in the Mahjong Soul yaku list — han values, frequency, closed-hand rules, and which yaku trigger in-game animations.
Mahjong Tile Numbers Explained: Reading 1–9 in Every Suit
Mahjong tiles use Chinese numerals 1 through 9 across three suits plus seven honor tiles. Visual guide to reading every tile by sight.
Premium Mahjong Sets 2026: When $200+ Tiles Are Worth It
Premium mahjong sets cost $200-2,000+. We explain when paying more makes sense, what you actually get, and the four price tiers worth knowing about.
What Happens When You Have No Yaku? Yaku-Nashi Explained
Yaku-nashi means your mahjong hand is complete but has no scoring yaku. Learn why you can't win, how to spot it early, and how to recover mid-hand.
Manzu, Pinzu, Souzu: The Three Suits of Mahjong Explained
Manzu, pinzu, souzu are the three numbered suits in riichi mahjong. Visual cues, strategic differences, and key terms for each suit explained.
What Is Yaku in Mahjong? A Beginner's Guide to Hand Requirements
Yaku is a scoring pattern your mahjong hand must contain to win. Learn what yaku means, why riichi requires it, and the 5 easiest yaku to aim for.