Mahjong Scoring System Explained: Faan, Han and Points

Every Ruleset Has a Minimum

In every mahjong ruleset, a winning hand must reach a minimum score before it can be declared. The names differ — faan in Hong Kong, han in Riichi, points in Chinese Official — but the idea is the same: a hand must contain enough structure to count as a win.

This minimum is what stops every hand from being a boring race to the first complete shape.

The Basic Winning Shape

The foundation is always four sets plus a pair. Sets can be triplets or sequences. On top of that base, patterns add value:

• Flush — all tiles from one suit.

• All-triplets — every set is a triplet.

• All-simples — no 1s, 9s or honours.

• Dragon triplets — three dragons in a hand.

• Seven pairs — an alternative winning shape in most rulesets.

Hong Kong Faan

Hong Kong style requires three faan minimum. Common patterns and their value: a pure suit hand (3), all-triplets (3), all-simples (1), a dragon triplet (1–3). Hands stack — a flush with a dragon triplet is worth more than either alone.

The scoring table rewards clean, deliberate hands. Cheap hands are reliable but slow; ambitious hands score big but rarely come together.

Japanese Han and Riichi

Riichi scoring adds yaku (fixed patterns) on top of han. Riichi itself is a yaku — declaring it on tenpai adds one han and is the signature of the ruleset. Concealed hands score much higher, which rewards patience.

The readiness (tenpai) position matters in Riichi too: you can declare riichi, or stay silent and score differently. Understanding han is the key to choosing.

Chinese Official Points (MCR)

Chinese Official uses an eight-point minimum with a large catalogue of patterns worth 1 to 88 points. Flush hands, all-triplets and the rarest patterns stack quickly.

The high minimum forces genuine structure — a seven-pairs hand or a flush is usually needed, which is why MCR players plan their hand from the first tiles.

Let the Table Score for You

When you play online, the table calculates your score and explains exactly where every point came from after each win. It is the fastest way to learn the scoring table — you see the patterns you built and what they earned, hand after hand.