Q 01/05

How many tiles are in a standard mahjong set?

A) 148

B) 160

C) 152

D) 144

Answer · why

D) 144

That is 108 suited tiles, 28 honours and 8 bonus flowers and seasons; regional sets add or drop a few.

Q 02/05

For how many players is mahjong designed?

A) Exactly six

B) Two only

C) Five to six

D) Three to four

Answer · why

D) Three to four

Three-player versions usually drop a whole suit and are common in Japan, Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Q 03/05

How many tiles does each player hold in their hand during play?

A) 16

B) 12

C) 13

D) 10

Answer · why

C) 13

A winning hand is 14 tiles, completed by a draw from the wall or by claiming a discard.

Q 04/05

What does a standard winning hand consist of?

A) Three melds and two pairs

B) Five melds

C) Seven pairs only

D) Four melds and a pair

Answer · why

D) Four melds and a pair

The pair is known as the eyes; special hands such as thirteen orphans break the pattern.

Q 05/05

What was mahjong originally called in Chinese, a word still used in Cantonese and Hokkien?

A) Sparrow

B) Tiger

C) Dragon

D) Wall

Answer · why

A) Sparrow

The clacking of tiles during shuffling is said to sound like chattering sparrows.