마작 하는 법: 초보자 단계별 가이드
마작을 처음부터 배워요: 타일, 벽 쌓기, 뽑고 버리기, 퐁·치·캉, 그리고 화료까지 쉽게 설명합니다.
8 min read
What You Need to Play
You need four players and a set of 144 tiles. Each player sits at one side of the table, called a seat. The dealer (East) starts the round.
When you play online, the computer deals, tracks the wall and scores for you — so you only need to focus on building your hand.
Building the Wall and Dealing
The tiles are shuffled face-down and stacked two-high into a wall of 17 stacks per side. Each player builds one side.
The dealer rolls the dice to decide where to break the wall, then each player is dealt 13 tiles (the dealer gets 14 and discards first). Online, this all happens automatically.
Your Turn: Draw and Discard
On your turn you draw one tile from the wall, look at your hand, and discard one tile face-up into the centre. You always keep your hand at thirteen tiles.
Your goal while doing this is to turn your hand into four sets plus a pair.
Calling Tiles: Pong, Chi and Kong
When another player discards a tile you need, you may call it instead of drawing:
• Pong (碰): take the discard to complete a triplet of three identical tiles.
• Chi (吃): take the discard to complete a sequence (three consecutive tiles) — but only from the player on your left.
• Kong (杠): take the discard to complete four identical tiles.
Calling makes your hand open (exposed), which can reduce the patterns you are eligible for — so only call when it genuinely helps.
Winning a Hand
A winning hand is four sets plus one pair. You can win by self-draw (tsumo) or by claiming another player’s discard (ron).
Most rulesets also require a minimum score. Hong Kong style needs at least three faan, Chinese Official needs eight points, and Japanese Riichi needs at least one yaku. Our tables show your distance to ready and explain how each winning hand scored.
Scoring Basics
Points come from patterns built into your hand. Common ones are flushes (all one suit), all-triplets, dragon or wind sets, and the prized seven pairs.
Different rulesets value patterns differently. The simplest rule: the more structured your hand, the more it is worth. Our scoring breakdown shows exactly where your points come from after every win.
Try It Now
The fastest way to learn is to play. Start with Hong Kong Mahjong — three computer opponents, an optional readiness hint, and a full score breakdown on every hand.
자주 묻는 질문
How many tiles do I start with?
Each player starts with 13 tiles. The dealer starts with 14 and discards first, which keeps every hand at 13 tiles after the first discard.
What is the difference between a pong and a kong?
A pong is three identical tiles; a kong is four identical tiles. A kong counts as a set plus an extra draw from the end of the wall.
Can I call a discard from any player?
A pong or kong can be claimed from any player’s discard. A chi (sequence) can only be claimed from the player on your left, to keep the turn order fair.
What does it mean to be "ready" or tenpai?
You are ready (tenpai) when your hand needs only one more tile to be complete. Being ready means you can win the moment the right tile arrives.
How many points do I need to win?
It depends on the ruleset: Hong Kong needs three faan, Japanese Riichi needs at least one yaku, and Chinese Official needs eight points. Our tables remind you of the minimum and show your score breakdown.