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Strategy

Master advanced tactics, tile efficiency, and decision-making skills.

12 articles
strategyintermediate5 min read

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.

strategybeginner5 min read

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.

strategybeginner6 min read

How to Read an American Mahjong Card (NMJL): Beginner's Guide

How to read an American (NMJL) mahjong card step by step — what the colors, numbers, X/C marks, and points mean, and how to match your tiles to a hand.

strategybeginner9 min read

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.

strategybeginner8 min read

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.

strategybeginner7 min read

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.

strategybeginner8 min read

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.

strategybeginner8 min read

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.

strategybeginner8 min read

Yakuhai: The Complete Guide to Value Tiles in Riichi Mahjong

Yakuhai is a 1-han yaku earned by completing a triplet of dragons or your seat or round wind. Full breakdown of which tiles count and how to play them.

strategyintermediate12 min read

Best Mahjong Strategy Tips: Master the Game in 2026

The best mahjong strategy tips for riichi and American play — tile efficiency, shanten counting, reading discards, and when to push or fold to win more games.

strategybeginner17 min read

Complete Mahjong Yaku List: All 43 Yaku for Beginners (2026)

Complete riichi mahjong yaku list — all 43 yaku with han values, examples, and beginner tips. From tanyao to yakuman, every scoring pattern in one reference.

strategyintermediate11 min read

Riichi Mahjong Scoring Guide: Master Points & Payments

Complete riichi mahjong scoring guide covering han, fu calculations, yaku combinations, and payment rules. Learn to score every hand accurately with examples.