Rules of Hong Kong Mahjong
Hong Kong Mahjong has been the standard mahjong game in China for nearly ten years now. The once famous Chinese Classical version, which in different variations is still the accepted game in most Western countries, is barely used in China anymore.
Just like most mahjong variations, there are no official criteria. But the guidelines of the electronic version of the game are quite typical if you prefer the Old Style. But, presently, New Style, with many additional hands, is gaining ground in terms of popularity. There is not enough description about the electronic version due to the different variations of the game.
Overview
Hong Kong mahjong, also known as Cantonese mahjong, is famous among the Chinese people because of its high speed and adaptability to gambling. At the conclusion of a game, only the pairs of the winner will be counted. The winner is paid out the corresponding number of chips by the losing players as monitored by a settling table, and the game resumes at once.
Settlements are not allowed among the losing players. East is exempted from payment and gets the doubles as in the traditional rules. Rather, a player going out after a draw amongst the players is given a reward (every player pays out twice the final score of the winner). The discarder pays out double the amount as other losers separately.
In a majority of the time, a system of using several limits is employed. Dead walls are not used all the time.
The game can proceed even without the Flowers and Seasons, but often the Flowers are in use. A minimum number of fans will be decided upon by the players ranging from 0 (as used in the Dutch Holland Casino variation) to 3. When the chosen number of fan is 0, Flowers and a little touch of luck is of vital importance.
Summary
HONG KONG CLASSICAL STYLE
• 136 or 144 tiles is in use
• The use of Flower tiles is discretionary; when used, they are immediately melded when accepted.
• 13 tiles are held by the hand, a player leaves on 14 tiles.
• Not much unique hands (tile combinations).
• Marks are acquired by counting pairs, then converted to points
• The winner is the lone recipient of payouts.
HONG KONG MODERN STYLE
• 136 or 144 tiles is in use
• The use of Flower tiles is discretionary; when utilized, these tiles are immediately melded when accepted.
• 13 tiles are held by the hand, a player leaves on 14 tiles.
• Too many unique hands (tile combinations).
• Marks are acquired by counting pairs, then converted to points
• The winner is the lone recipient of payouts.