Mahjong Reference
Special Hands Guide

Find a special hand.

Find, understand and compare special hands across different Mahjong rules.

71 hands

Thirteen Unique Wonders

Special hand group

All 13 terminal and honour tile types, plus one extra matching tile.

You need the 1 and 9 from each suit, all four Winds, all three Dragons, and one extra copy of any of those tiles.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingExposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowedScore this hand →
What it looks like

Every suited 1 and 9, all four Winds, all three Dragons, plus one duplicate.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Thirteen Unique Wonders hand: 1 and 9 of Bamboo, Circles and Characters; East, South, West and North Winds; Red, Green and White Dragons; and a second East Wind.

  • Irregular Hand
  • Terminals
  • Honours
  • Pairs
Learn more about Thirteen Unique Wonders

What it means

This hand does not use the usual four sets and a pair. It is a fixed group of terminal and honour tiles.

Why it is special

You must collect all 13 required tile types, then pair one of them.

How it works

  1. Keep the 1 and 9 of all three suits.
  2. Keep all four Winds and all three Dragons.
  3. Complete one of each of those thirteen tile types.
  4. Use the fourteenth tile to duplicate one of them.

Watch out for

  • Do not try to split the hand into ordinary Chows and Pungs.
  • The extra tile can match any one of the 13 required tile types.

Also called: Thirteen unique wonders · Unique Wonder · 13 Unique Wonders · Thirteen Odd Majors

Scores under other rules

Thirteen unique wondersBritish / BMJA-style · 2008 · 1.0 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

One of every terminal, wind and dragon, plus a pair of any one.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

What it looks like

Every suited 1 and 9, all four Winds, all three Dragons, plus one duplicate.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Thirteen Unique Wonders hand: 1 and 9 of Bamboo, Circles and Characters; East, South, West and North Winds; Red, Green and White Dragons; and a second East Wind.

Score this hand →
Thirteen Odd MajorsBuzzard · 2000 · 0.1 · Configured/table limit

Thirteen Odd Majors

Configured/table limit

What it looks like

Every suited 1 and 9, all four Winds, all three Dragons, plus one duplicate.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Thirteen Unique Wonders hand: 1 and 9 of Bamboo, Circles and Characters; East, South, West and North Winds; Red, Green and White Dragons; and a second East Wind.

Score this hand →
Unique WonderWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 2,000 winner · 800 fishing

One of every terminal, wind and dragon, plus a pair of any one.

Fixed · 2,000 winner · 800 fishing

What it looks like

Every suited 1 and 9, all four Winds, all three Dragons, plus one duplicate.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Thirteen Unique Wonders hand: 1 and 9 of Bamboo, Circles and Characters; East, South, West and North Winds; Red, Green and White Dragons; and a second East Wind.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • British / BMJA-style — BMJA-approved British rules reference
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile
  • British/Western Classical — Buzzard 2000 — Buzzard 2000 source material
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Four Blessings

Special hand group

Pungs or Kongs of East, South, West and North, plus a pair.

All four sets are Wind Pungs or Kongs. Add any legal pair.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingExposed sets are allowed under these rulesScore this hand →
What it looks like

Four Wind Pungs/Kongs plus a pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Four Blessings hand: a Pung of East Winds, a Pung of South Winds, a Pung of West Winds, a Pung of North Winds, and a pair of Green Dragons.

  • Ordinary Grouped
  • Winds
  • Pungs Kongs
Learn more about Four Blessings

What it means

Every Wind must make a complete set. Simply having all four Winds in the hand is not enough.

Why it is special

All four sets are Winds.

How it works

  1. Make a Pung or Kong of East Wind.
  2. Do the same for South, West and North.
  3. Complete the hand with a pair.

Scores under other rules

Four Blessings Hovering over the DoorBritish / BMJA-style · 2008 · 1.0 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing or intrinsic if greater

A pung or kong of each wind, plus any pair.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing or intrinsic if greater

What it looks like

Four Wind Pungs/Kongs plus a pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Four Blessings hand: a Pung of East Winds, a Pung of South Winds, a Pung of West Winds, a Pung of North Winds, and a pair of Green Dragons.

Score this hand →
Four BlessingsWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,500 winner · 600 fishing

A pung or kong of each wind, plus any pair.

Fixed · 1,500 winner · 600 fishing

What it looks like

Four Wind Pungs/Kongs plus a pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Four Blessings hand: a Pung of East Winds, a Pung of South Winds, a Pung of West Winds, a Pung of North Winds, and a pair of Green Dragons.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • British / BMJA-style — BMJA-approved British rules reference
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Imperial Jade

Related hands

A hand made from Green Dragons and the green Bamboo tiles. The Chow rule depends on your rules.

Use Green Dragons and Bamboo 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingWith exposed sets: 500 winner · 200 fishingScore this hand →
Example variant: British / Club - Bramhall 2026 form

British / Club - Bramhall 2026 example using Green Dragons and green Bamboo tiles, with Pungs and a pair only.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example British / Club - Bramhall 2026 Imperial Jade hand: a Pung of Green Dragons, Pungs of 2 Bamboo, 3 Bamboo and 6 Bamboo, and a pair of 8 Bamboo.

  • One Suit
  • Dragons
  • Green Tiles
Learn more about Imperial Jade

What it means

British / BMJA and Club - Bramhall 2026 do not allow a Chow. Western — T&M allows one 2-3-4 Bamboo Chow.

Why it is special

Only a small set of green tiles may be used, so the Chow rule changes which hands count.

Related variants

British / Club - Bramhall 2026 form

Four Pung or Kong groups and a pair, all from Green Dragons and Bamboo 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8. No Chow is allowed.

What it looks like

British / Club - Bramhall 2026 example using Green Dragons and green Bamboo tiles, with Pungs and a pair only.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example British / Club - Bramhall 2026 Imperial Jade hand: a Pung of Green Dragons, Pungs of 2 Bamboo, 3 Bamboo and 6 Bamboo, and a pair of 8 Bamboo.

Thompson & Maloney Western form

Use the same green tiles. One 2-3-4 Bamboo Chow is allowed.

What it looks like

Western example showing the permitted 2-3-4 Bamboo Chow.

Pung · three tiles
Chow · three in a row
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Thompson and Maloney Imperial Jade hand: a Pung of Green Dragons, a 2-3-4 Bamboo Chow, Pungs of 6 Bamboo and 8 Bamboo, and a pair of 2 Bamboo.

Scores under other rules

Imperial JadeBritish / BMJA-style · 2008 · 1.0 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Four pungs/kongs and a pair using only Green Dragon or Bamboo 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

What it looks like

British / Club - Bramhall 2026 example using Green Dragons and green Bamboo tiles, with Pungs and a pair only.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example British / Club - Bramhall 2026 Imperial Jade hand: a Pung of Green Dragons, Pungs of 2 Bamboo, 3 Bamboo and 6 Bamboo, and a pair of 8 Bamboo.

Score this hand →
Imperial JadeWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 2,000 winner · 800 fishing

A Green Dragon Pung/Kong, three green Bamboo melds (at most one 234 Chow), and a green Bamboo pair.

Fixed · 2,000 winner · 800 fishing

Exposed sets are allowed under these rules.

What it looks like

Western example showing the permitted 2-3-4 Bamboo Chow.

Pung · three tiles
Chow · three in a row
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Thompson and Maloney Imperial Jade hand: a Pung of Green Dragons, a 2-3-4 Bamboo Chow, Pungs of 6 Bamboo and 8 Bamboo, and a pair of 2 Bamboo.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • British / BMJA-style — BMJA-approved British rules reference
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Wriggling / Wriggly Snake

Related hands

1 to 9 in one suit, all four Winds, and one extra matching tile.

Both Snake hands use the same 13-tile base: 1 to 9 in one suit plus all four Winds.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingExposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowedScore this hand →
Example variant: Wriggling Snake

One suit from 1 through 9, a second 1, and all four Winds.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Wriggling Snake hand: 1 through 9 Circles, a second 1 Circle, and East, South, West and North Winds.

  • Irregular Hand
  • One Suit
  • Honours
  • Winds
  • Pairs
Learn more about Wriggling / Wriggly Snake

What it means

Wriggling Snake pairs the suited 1. Wriggly Snake may pair any tile from the 13-tile base.

Why it is special

The whole hand is a fixed tile pattern, not normal sets.

Related variants

Wriggling Snake

1-9 in one suit, all four Winds, with the suited 1 duplicated.

What it looks like

One suit from 1 through 9, a second 1, and all four Winds.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Wriggling Snake hand: 1 through 9 Circles, a second 1 Circle, and East, South, West and North Winds.

Wriggly Snake

1-9 in one suit, all four Winds, with any one tile in that thirteen-tile base duplicated.

What it looks like

One suit from 1 through 9, all four Winds, and a duplicate of any one tile in that thirteen-tile base; this example duplicates East Wind.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example broader Wriggly Snake hand: 1 through 9 Circles, East, South, West and North Winds, and a second East Wind.

Scores under other rules

Wriggly SnakeClub - Bramhall · 2026 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Wriggly Snake

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Exposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowed.

What it looks like

One suit from 1 through 9, all four Winds, and a duplicate of any one tile in that thirteen-tile base; this example duplicates East Wind.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example broader Wriggly Snake hand: 1 through 9 Circles, East, South, West and North Winds, and a second East Wind.

Score this hand →
The Wriggling SnakeBritish / BMJA-style · 2008 · 1.0 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

A pair of suited 1s, suited 2 through 9 in that suit, and one of each Wind.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

What it looks like

One suit from 1 through 9, a second 1, and all four Winds.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Wriggling Snake hand: 1 through 9 Circles, a second 1 Circle, and East, South, West and North Winds.

Score this hand →
Wriggly SnakeWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

A suited run from 1 through 9, one of each Wind, and a pair of any one of those tiles.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

What it looks like

One suit from 1 through 9, all four Winds, and a duplicate of any one tile in that thirteen-tile base; this example duplicates East Wind.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example broader Wriggly Snake hand: 1 through 9 Circles, East, South, West and North Winds, and a second East Wind.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • British / BMJA-style — BMJA-approved British rules reference
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Special pair-based hands

Related hands

Several special hands use seven pairs, but the tile and winning rules differ.

Compare All Pair Honours, All Pair, Heavenly Twins and Seven Twins.

500 winner · 200 fishingExposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowedScore this hand →
Example variant: All Pair Honours

Seven pairs made only from Winds, Dragons and suited 1s or 9s.

Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example All Pair Honours hand: seven pairs using 1 Bamboo, 9 Circles, 1 Character, East Wind, South Wind, Red Dragon and Green Dragon.

  • Pairs
Learn more about Special pair-based hands

What it means

All four use pairs. They differ in which tiles may be paired and, for Seven Twins, how the hand is won.

Why it is special

Seven-pair hands do not use the usual four sets and a pair.

Related variants

All Pair Honours

Seven pairs, each made from a Wind, Dragon, or suited 1/9.

What it looks like

Seven pairs made only from Winds, Dragons and suited 1s or 9s.

Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example All Pair Honours hand: seven pairs using 1 Bamboo, 9 Circles, 1 Character, East Wind, South Wind, Red Dragon and Green Dragon.

All Pair

Seven pairs using at most one numbered suit, with honours allowed.

What it looks like

Seven pairs using one numbered suit, with honours allowed.

Pair 1
Pair 2
Pair 3
Pair 4
Pair 5
Pair 6
Pair 7

Example Western All Pair hand: pairs of 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 Bamboo, East Winds and Red Dragons.

All Pair with one suit

Seven pairs using exactly one numbered suit; Winds and Dragons may also appear.

What it looks like

Seven pairs using one numbered suit, with honours allowed.

Pair 1
Pair 2
Pair 3
Pair 4
Pair 5
Pair 6
Pair 7

Example Western All Pair hand: pairs of 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 Bamboo, East Winds and Red Dragons.

Heavenly Twins

Seven pairs entirely in one numbered suit, without honours.

What it looks like

Seven pairs entirely within one numbered suit.

Pair 1
Pair 2
Pair 3
Pair 4
Pair 5
Pair 6
Pair 7

Example Heavenly Twins hand: seven pairs, using 1 through 7 Circles.

Seven Twins

Seven distinct loose pairs. You must win from the wall under these rules.

What it looks like

Seven distinct pairs. Under Western — T&M, you must win from the wall.

Pair 1
Pair 2
Pair 3
Pair 4
Pair 5
Pair 6
Pair 7

Example Seven Twins hand: pairs of 1, 3, 5 and 7 Bamboo, 2 Circles, East Winds and Red Dragons. Under these rules, you must win from the wall.

Scores under other rules

All PairClub - Bramhall · 2026 · 0.1 · Fixed · 500 winner · 200 fishing

All Pair

Fixed · 500 winner · 200 fishing

Exposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowed.

What it looks like

Seven pairs using one numbered suit, with honours allowed.

Pair 1
Pair 2
Pair 3
Pair 4
Pair 5
Pair 6
Pair 7

Example Western All Pair hand: pairs of 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 Bamboo, East Winds and Red Dragons.

Score this hand →
Heavenly TwinsClub - Bramhall · 2026 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Heavenly Twins

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Exposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowed.

What it looks like

Seven pairs entirely within one numbered suit.

Pair 1
Pair 2
Pair 3
Pair 4
Pair 5
Pair 6
Pair 7

Example Heavenly Twins hand: seven pairs, using 1 through 7 Circles.

Score this hand →
All pair honoursBritish / BMJA-style · 2008 · 1.0 · Fixed · 500 winner · 200 fishing

Seven pairs of major tiles: 1s, 9s, winds and dragons; repeated pairs are allowed.

Fixed · 500 winner · 200 fishing

What it looks like

Seven pairs made only from Winds, Dragons and suited 1s or 9s.

Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example All Pair Honours hand: seven pairs using 1 Bamboo, 9 Circles, 1 Character, East Wind, South Wind, Red Dragon and Green Dragon.

Score this hand →
All Pair HonoursWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Seven pairs of major tiles: 1s, 9s, winds and dragons; repeated pairs are allowed.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

What it looks like

Seven pairs made only from Winds, Dragons and suited 1s or 9s.

Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example All Pair Honours hand: seven pairs using 1 Bamboo, 9 Circles, 1 Character, East Wind, South Wind, Red Dragon and Green Dragon.

Score this hand →
All PairWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 500 winner · 200 fishing

Seven pairs using at most one suit, with Winds and Dragons allowed.

Fixed · 500 winner · 200 fishing

What it looks like

Seven pairs using one numbered suit, with honours allowed.

Pair 1
Pair 2
Pair 3
Pair 4
Pair 5
Pair 6
Pair 7

Example Western All Pair hand: pairs of 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 Bamboo, East Winds and Red Dragons.

Score this hand →
Heavenly TwinsWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Seven pairs, all in one suit.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

What it looks like

Seven pairs entirely within one numbered suit.

Pair 1
Pair 2
Pair 3
Pair 4
Pair 5
Pair 6
Pair 7

Example Heavenly Twins hand: seven pairs, using 1 through 7 Circles.

Score this hand →
Seven TwinsWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 500 winner · 200 fishing

Seven distinct pairs, all drawn from the wall including the winning tile.

Fixed · 500 winner · 200 fishing

Winning method: wall or last-wall-tile.

What it looks like

Seven distinct pairs. Under Western — T&M, you must win from the wall.

Pair 1
Pair 2
Pair 3
Pair 4
Pair 5
Pair 6
Pair 7

Example Seven Twins hand: pairs of 1, 3, 5 and 7 Bamboo, 2 Circles, East Winds and Red Dragons. Under these rules, you must win from the wall.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • British / BMJA-style — BMJA-approved British rules reference
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile

Heaven's Blessing / Original Hand

Related hands

East is dealt a complete winning hand before play starts.

East’s original 14 tiles already make Mahjong.

1,000 winner
What it looks like

East's initial dealt hand is already Mahjong.

  1. 1East receives the original deal
  2. 2The hand is already complete
  3. 3Mah Jong
  • Event Defined
Learn more about Heaven's Blessing / Original Hand

What it means

BMJA calls this Heaven’s Blessing. Buzzard calls it Original Hand and also records the historical names Hand from Heaven and Natural Winning.

Why it is special

East wins from the original deal, before any ordinary draw or discard.

How it works

  1. East receives the initial hand.
  2. The hand is already a legal Mahjong.
  3. The win is recorded as the original-deal event.

Reference note

The Buzzard source says East wins with a complete hand from the original deal. BMJA uses the phrase “Mah Jong in original deal”; the historical names do not prove that all rules use the same event.

Also called: Heaven's Blessing · Original Hand · Hand from Heaven · Natural Winning

Scores under other rules

Original HandBuzzard · 2000 · 0.1 · Configured/table limit

Original Hand

Configured/table limit

What it looks like

East's initial dealt hand is already Mahjong.

  1. 1East receives the original deal
  2. 2The hand is already complete
  3. 3Mah Jong
Sources
  • British / BMJA-style — BMJA-approved British rules reference
  • British/Western Classical — Buzzard 2000 — Buzzard 2000 source material

Twofold Fortune

Special hand

Two linked Kong replacement draws end with Mahjong.

A replacement tile completes a second Kong, then the next replacement tile completes Mahjong.

1,000 winner
What it looks like

A linked two-Kong replacement-tile sequence ending in Mahjong.

  1. 1Declare a Kong
  2. 2Replacement tile completes a second Kong
  3. 3Declare the second Kong
  4. 4Next replacement tile completes Mahjong
  • Event Defined
Learn more about Twofold Fortune

What it means

The order of the two Kongs and replacement draws matters. The final hand shape alone is not enough.

Why it is special

The win depends on a specific sequence of events.

How it works

  1. A first Kong is declared.
  2. Its replacement tile completes a second Kong.
  3. The second Kong is declared.
  4. The next replacement tile completes Mahjong.
Sources
  • British / BMJA-style — BMJA-approved British rules reference

Three Dragons

Related hands

All versions use Pungs or Kongs of all three Dragons. The fourth set and pair rules differ.

Make a set of Red, Green and White Dragons, then complete the hand under the selected rules.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingExposed sets are allowed under these rules
What it looks like

Pungs or Kongs of all three Dragons, plus another set and a pair under BMJA and Western — T&M.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Three Great Scholars hand: Pungs of Red, Green and White Dragons, a Pung of East Winds, and a pair of 5 Circles.

  • Ordinary Grouped
  • Dragons
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
Learn more about Three Dragons

What it means

BMJA and Western — T&M require another Pung or Kong. Club - Bramhall 2026 also allows a Chow when the fourth set and pair use the same numbered suit. Buzzard allows any legal fourth set and pair.

Why it is special

The three Dragon sets are shared; the rest of the hand decides which version you have.

Reference note

Under Buzzard 2000, a hand that misses this win condition may still affect the table score.

Also called: Three Great Scholars · Club - Bramhall 2026 Three Great Scholars · Buzzard Three Dragons

Related variants

Three Great Scholars — BMJA / Thompson & Maloney

All three Dragon Pung/Kongs plus a fourth Pung/Kong and a pair.

Three Great Scholars — Club - Bramhall 2026

All three Dragon Pung/Kongs; the fourth meld may be a Chow, Pung or Kong, and it and the pair use the same numbered suit.

Three Dragons — Buzzard 2000

Pungs or Kongs of all three Dragons, plus a legal fourth set and pair.

Scores under other rules

Three great scholarsBritish / BMJA-style · 2008 · 1.0 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing or intrinsic if greater

A pung or kong of each of the three dragons.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing or intrinsic if greater

Three DragonsBuzzard · 2000 · 0.1 · Configured/table limit

Three Dragons

Configured/table limit

Three Great ScholarsWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,500 winner · 600 fishing

A pung or kong of each of the three dragons.

Fixed · 1,500 winner · 600 fishing

Sources
  • British / BMJA-style — BMJA-approved British rules reference
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile
  • British/Western Classical — Buzzard 2000 — Buzzard 2000 source material
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Knitting

Special hand group

Seven same-number pairs made across exactly two suits.

Match the same number across two different suits to make seven pairs.

500 winner · 200 fishingExposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowedScore this hand →
Example variant: Two-suit Knitting

Seven same-number pairs across exactly two suits; duplicate pairs are allowed where physical tile copies permit them.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Knitting arrangement showing seven pairs formed from matching numbers across different suits.

  • Irregular Hand
  • Multiple Suits
  • Pairs
  • Knitted Interleave
Learn more about Knitting

What it means

Only two numbered suits may be used. You do not make normal Chows, Pungs or Kongs.

Why it is special

The whole hand is built from cross-suit pairs.

Related variants

Two-suit Knitting

Seven pairs of matching numbers across exactly two suits. The score and exposure rules depend on the rules you use.

What it looks like

Seven same-number pairs across exactly two suits; duplicate pairs are allowed where physical tile copies permit them.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Knitting arrangement showing seven pairs formed from matching numbers across different suits.

Scores under other rules

KnittingBritish / BMJA-style · 2008 · 1.0 · Fixed · 500 winner · 200 fishing

Seven same-number pairs across exactly two suits; pairs may repeat where physical tile copies permit them.

Fixed · 500 winner · 200 fishing

What it looks like

Seven same-number pairs across exactly two suits; duplicate pairs are allowed where physical tile copies permit them.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Knitting arrangement showing seven pairs formed from matching numbers across different suits.

Score this hand →
KnittingWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 500 winner · 200 fishing

Seven same-rank pairs across exactly two suits; repeated rank-pairs are allowed.

Fixed · 500 winner · 200 fishing

What it looks like

Seven same-number pairs across exactly two suits; duplicate pairs are allowed where physical tile copies permit them.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Knitting arrangement showing seven pairs formed from matching numbers across different suits.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • British / BMJA-style — BMJA-approved British rules reference
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Triple Knitting

Special hand group

Four same-number groups using all three suits, plus one same-number pair across two suits.

Each three-tile group uses the same number once in Bamboo, Circles and Characters. Add one same-number pair using two suits.

500 winner · 200 fishingExposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowedScore this hand →
Example variant: Triple Knitting

Four same-number groups across all three suits plus a same-number pair across two suits.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Triple Knitting arrangement: four same-number three-suit groups, plus one same-number pair using two suits.

  • Irregular Hand
  • Multiple Suits
  • Knitted Interleave
  • Pairs
Learn more about Triple Knitting

What it means

The hand is a 14-tile pattern, not normal melds.

Why it is special

Every group follows the same cross-suit knitting idea.

Related variants

Triple Knitting

Four groups with the same number in all three suits, plus a same-number pair across two suits. The score and exposure rules depend on your rules.

What it looks like

Four same-number groups across all three suits plus a same-number pair across two suits.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Triple Knitting arrangement: four same-number three-suit groups, plus one same-number pair using two suits.

Scores under other rules

Triple KnittingBritish / BMJA-style · 2008 · 1.0 · Fixed · 500 winner · 200 fishing

Four same-number groups across all three suits, plus a same-number pair across two suits.

Fixed · 500 winner · 200 fishing

What it looks like

Four same-number groups across all three suits plus a same-number pair across two suits.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Triple Knitting arrangement: four same-number three-suit groups, plus one same-number pair using two suits.

Score this hand →
Triple KnittingWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 500 winner · 200 fishing

Four same-rank three-suit sets plus a same-rank pair across two suits.

Fixed · 500 winner · 200 fishing

What it looks like

Four same-number groups across all three suits plus a same-number pair across two suits.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Triple Knitting arrangement: four same-number three-suit groups, plus one same-number pair using two suits.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • British / BMJA-style — BMJA-approved British rules reference
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Gates of Heaven / Calling Nine Tile Hand

Related hands

A one-suit 1112345678999 base. The allowed extra tile depends on the rules.

Start with three 1s, three 9s and one each of 2 to 8, all in one suit.

1,000 winner · 400 fishing
What it looks like

One suit with three 1s, three 9s, one each 2 through 8, and one extra middle tile in this example.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Gates of Heaven tile pattern in Circles: 11123455678999. The extra tile rule depends on the rules you use.

  • Irregular Hand
  • One Suit
  • Terminals
Learn more about Gates of Heaven / Calling Nine Tile Hand

What it means

BMJA, Western — T&M and Buzzard use different rules for the extra tile and how the hand is completed.

Why it is special

The base is tightly fixed, so the exact winning tile matters.

Related variants

BMJA Gates of Heaven

Uses the middle-rank duplicate skeleton and BMJA-specific completion/how the hand was won logic.

Western Gates of Heaven

Use one suit: 1112345678999, with one extra tile from 2 to 8. Keep the hand concealed.

Calling Nine Tile Hand

Starts from the 1112345678999 base and permits any same-suit 1-9 tile as the completing extra tile.

Scores under other rules

Calling Nine Tile HandBuzzard · 2000 · 0.1 · Configured/table limit

Calling Nine Tile Hand

Configured/table limit

Gates of HeavenWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

One suit: 111, 999, one each of 2–8, and a duplicated 2–8.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Exposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowed.

Sources
  • British / BMJA-style — BMJA-approved British rules reference
  • British/Western Classical — Buzzard 2000 — Buzzard 2000 source material
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

All Winds and Dragons

Special hand group

Four Pungs/Kongs and a pair, all made from Winds and Dragons.

Make four Pungs or Kongs and a pair from Winds and Dragons only.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingExposed sets are allowed under these rulesScore this hand →
What it looks like

Four Pungs/Kongs and a pair, using only Winds and Dragons.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example All Winds and Dragons hand: Pungs of East, South, West and North Winds, plus a pair of Red Dragons.

  • Ordinary Grouped
  • Honours
  • Winds
  • Dragons
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
Learn more about All Winds and Dragons

What it means

Every meld and the pair must be made from Winds or Dragons; suited tiles do not appear in the shared hand pattern.

Why it is special

Every tile is an honour tile.

Scores under other rules

All Winds and DragonsBritish / BMJA-style · 2008 · 1.0 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing or intrinsic if greater

Four pungs/kongs and a pair, all made from winds and dragons.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing or intrinsic if greater

What it looks like

Four Pungs/Kongs and a pair, using only Winds and Dragons.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example All Winds and Dragons hand: Pungs of East, South, West and North Winds, plus a pair of Red Dragons.

Score this hand →
All Winds and DragonsWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Four pungs/kongs and a pair, all made from winds and dragons.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

What it looks like

Four Pungs/Kongs and a pair, using only Winds and Dragons.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example All Winds and Dragons hand: Pungs of East, South, West and North Winds, plus a pair of Red Dragons.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • British / BMJA-style — BMJA-approved British rules reference
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Heads and Tails

Special hand group

Four Pungs/Kongs and a pair made only from suited 1s and 9s.

Make four Pungs or Kongs and a pair from suited 1s and 9s only.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingWith exposed sets: 500 winner · 200 fishingScore this hand →
What it looks like

Four Pungs/Kongs and a pair made only from suited 1s and 9s.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Heads and Tails hand: Pungs of 1 Bamboo, 9 Circles, 1 Character and 9 Bamboo, plus a pair of 9 Characters.

  • Ordinary Grouped
  • Terminals
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
Learn more about Heads and Tails

What it means

Only the 1 and 9 of the three numbered suits can appear, and they must form the four melds and pair.

Why it is special

Every tile is a suited terminal.

Scores under other rules

Heads and TailsBritish / BMJA-style · 2008 · 1.0 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Four pungs/kongs and a pair, all made from suited 1s and 9s.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

What it looks like

Four Pungs/Kongs and a pair made only from suited 1s and 9s.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Heads and Tails hand: Pungs of 1 Bamboo, 9 Circles, 1 Character and 9 Bamboo, plus a pair of 9 Characters.

Score this hand →
Heads and TailsWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Four pungs/kongs and a pair, all made from suited 1s and 9s.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

What it looks like

Four Pungs/Kongs and a pair made only from suited 1s and 9s.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Heads and Tails hand: Pungs of 1 Bamboo, 9 Circles, 1 Character and 9 Bamboo, plus a pair of 9 Characters.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • British / BMJA-style — BMJA-approved British rules reference
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Fourfold Plenty

Special hand group

Four Kongs plus a pair.

Make four Kongs and a pair.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingWith exposed sets: 500 winner · 200 fishingScore this hand →
What it looks like

Four Kongs plus a pair.

Kong · four tiles
Kong · four tiles
Kong · four tiles
Kong · four tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Fourfold Plenty hand: Kongs of 2 Circles, 4 Bamboo, Red Dragons and East Winds, plus a pair of 7 Characters.

  • Ordinary Grouped
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
Learn more about Fourfold Plenty

What it means

Each of the four meld positions is a four-of-a-kind Kong; the pair completes the hand.

Why it is special

All four sets are Kongs.

Scores under other rules

Fourfold PlentyBritish / BMJA-style · 2008 · 1.0 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Four kongs and a pair.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

What it looks like

Four Kongs plus a pair.

Kong · four tiles
Kong · four tiles
Kong · four tiles
Kong · four tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Fourfold Plenty hand: Kongs of 2 Circles, 4 Bamboo, Red Dragons and East Winds, plus a pair of 7 Characters.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • British / BMJA-style — BMJA-approved British rules reference
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile

All Pair Ruby Jade

Special hand group

Pairs of Green and Red Dragons plus five Bamboo pairs.

Make seven pairs: one Green Dragon pair, one Red Dragon pair and five Bamboo pairs.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingExposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowedScore this hand →
What it looks like

Pairs of Green and Red Dragons plus five Bamboo pairs.

Pair 1
Pair 2
Pair 3
Pair 4
Pair 5
Pair 6
Pair 7

Example All Pair Ruby Jade hand: pairs of Green Dragons, Red Dragons, 2 Bamboo, 3 Bamboo, 4 Bamboo, 6 Bamboo and 8 Bamboo.

  • Irregular Hand
  • Pairs
  • Dragons
  • One Suit
Learn more about All Pair Ruby Jade

What it means

The hand is organised entirely as pairs rather than normal melds, with the two coloured Dragon pairs fixed and the remaining five pairs in Bamboo.

Why it is special

The hand combines both coloured Dragon pairs with five Bamboo pairs.

Scores under other rules

All Pair Ruby JadeWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Pairs of Green and Red Dragons plus five pairs of red or green Bamboo ranks.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

What it looks like

Pairs of Green and Red Dragons plus five Bamboo pairs.

Pair 1
Pair 2
Pair 3
Pair 4
Pair 5
Pair 6
Pair 7

Example All Pair Ruby Jade hand: pairs of Green Dragons, Red Dragons, 2 Bamboo, 3 Bamboo, 4 Bamboo, 6 Bamboo and 8 Bamboo.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Sparrow's Sanctuary

Special hand group

All four 1 Bamboo tiles plus pairs of 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 Bamboo.

Use all four 1 Bamboo tiles, then make pairs of 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 Bamboo.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingExposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowedScore this hand →
What it looks like

All four 1 Bamboo tiles, plus pairs of 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 Bamboo.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Sparrow's Sanctuary example: four 1 Bamboo tiles and pairs of 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 Bamboo.

  • Irregular Hand
  • One Suit
  • Pairs
Learn more about Sparrow's Sanctuary

What it means

Unlike a normal grouped hand, rule comes from matching a fixed fourteen-tile Bamboo collection.

Why it is special

The tiles are almost fixed: all four 1 Bamboos and five named pairs.

Scores under other rules

Sparrow's SanctuaryWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,500 winner · 600 fishing

All four Bamboo 1 tiles and pairs of Bamboo 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8.

Fixed · 1,500 winner · 600 fishing

What it looks like

All four 1 Bamboo tiles, plus pairs of 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 Bamboo.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Sparrow's Sanctuary example: four 1 Bamboo tiles and pairs of 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 Bamboo.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Hovering Angel

Special hand group

One Chow in each suit, your own Wind as a Pung/Kong, and a Dragon pair.

Make one Chow in each suit, a Pung or Kong of your seat Wind, and a Dragon pair.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingExposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowedScore this hand →
What it looks like

One Chow in each suit, a Pung/Kong of your own Wind, and a Dragon pair.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Hovering Angel for an East-seat player: 1-2-3 Bamboo, 4-5-6 Circles and 7-8-9 Characters Chows, a Pung of East Winds, and a pair of Red Dragons.

  • Ordinary Grouped
  • Multiple Suits
  • Chow Involving
  • Winds
  • Dragons
  • Pairs
Learn more about Hovering Angel

What it means

The player's seat Wind is part of the rule, so the same tile layout may qualify for one player and not another.

Why it is special

Your seat Wind decides which Wind set counts.

Scores under other rules

Hovering AngelWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

One Chow in each suit, an own-Wind Pung/Kong, and a Dragon pair.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Exposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowed.

What it looks like

One Chow in each suit, a Pung/Kong of your own Wind, and a Dragon pair.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Hovering Angel for an East-seat player: 1-2-3 Bamboo, 4-5-6 Circles and 7-8-9 Characters Chows, a Pung of East Winds, and a pair of Red Dragons.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Big Robert

Related hands

A four-tile run in each suit, plus an honour pair. Matching run starts make the higher-scoring hand.

Make a four-tile run in each suit, then add an honour pair.

500 winner · 200 fishingExposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowed
Example variant: Big Robert

A four-tile consecutive run in each suit, with different starts, plus an honour pair.

Loose example segment 1
Loose example segment 2
Loose example segment 3
Loose example segment 4

Example Big Robert base form: Bamboo 1 through 4, Circles 2 through 5, Characters 4 through 7, and a pair of East Winds.

  • Irregular Hand
  • Multiple Suits
  • Honours
  • Pairs
Learn more about Big Robert

What it means

The three runs may start at different numbers. If all three runs match, the hand scores higher.

Why it is special

These four-tile runs are different from Chows. Matching run starts make the hand score higher.

Related variants

Big Robert

One consecutive four-tile run in each suit, with an honour pair; the run starts are not all the same.

What it looks like

A four-tile consecutive run in each suit, with different starts, plus an honour pair.

Loose example segment 1
Loose example segment 2
Loose example segment 3
Loose example segment 4

Example Big Robert base form: Bamboo 1 through 4, Circles 2 through 5, Characters 4 through 7, and a pair of East Winds.

Big Robert — matching runs

Matching consecutive four-tile runs in all three suits, plus an honour pair.

What it looks like

Matching four-tile runs in all three suits, plus an honour pair.

Loose example segment 1
Loose example segment 2
Loose example segment 3
Loose example segment 4

Example higher Big Robert form: 2-3-4-5 in Bamboo, Circles and Characters, plus a pair of Red Dragons.

Scores under other rules

Big RobertClub - Bramhall · 2026 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Big Robert

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Exposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowed.

What it looks like

Matching four-tile runs in all three suits, plus an honour pair.

Loose example segment 1
Loose example segment 2
Loose example segment 3
Loose example segment 4

Example higher Big Robert form: 2-3-4-5 in Bamboo, Circles and Characters, plus a pair of Red Dragons.

Big RobertWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 500 winner · 200 fishing

One consecutive four-tile run in each suit, with an honour pair; the three runs differ.

Fixed · 500 winner · 200 fishing

What it looks like

A four-tile consecutive run in each suit, with different starts, plus an honour pair.

Loose example segment 1
Loose example segment 2
Loose example segment 3
Loose example segment 4

Example Big Robert base form: Bamboo 1 through 4, Circles 2 through 5, Characters 4 through 7, and a pair of East Winds.

Big RobertWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Matching consecutive four-tile runs in all three suits, with an honour pair.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

What it looks like

Matching four-tile runs in all three suits, plus an honour pair.

Loose example segment 1
Loose example segment 2
Loose example segment 3
Loose example segment 4

Example higher Big Robert form: 2-3-4-5 in Bamboo, Circles and Characters, plus a pair of Red Dragons.

Sources
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Windfall

Special hand group

One of each Wind plus five pairs in one numbered suit.

Use one of each Wind and make five pairs in one numbered suit.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingExposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowedScore this hand →
What it looks like

One of each Wind plus five pairs in one suit.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Windfall hand: one each of East, South, West and North Winds, plus pairs of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Bamboo.

  • Irregular Hand
  • One Suit
  • Winds
  • Pairs
Learn more about Windfall

What it means

The Winds are not melds; they form four distinct single honours while the remaining ten tiles form five pairs in one suit.

Why it is special

The hand has all four Winds as single tiles and five pairs in one suit.

Scores under other rules

WindfallWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

One of each Wind and five pairs in one suit.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

What it looks like

One of each Wind plus five pairs in one suit.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Windfall hand: one each of East, South, West and North Winds, plus pairs of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Bamboo.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Windy Ones

Special hand group

A Pung/Kong of 1s in each suit, plus all four Winds with one Wind paired.

A hybrid hand combining terminal Pungs/Kongs in all three suits with all four Wind identities and a Wind pair.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingWith exposed sets: 500 winner · 200 fishing
What it looks like

A Pung/Kong of 1s in each suit, plus all four Winds with one Wind paired.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Windy Ones hand: Pungs of 1 Bamboo, 1 Circles and 1 Characters; East, South, West and North Winds with East Wind duplicated as the pair.

  • Multiple Suits
  • Winds
  • Terminals
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
  • Hybrid Layout
Learn more about Windy Ones

What it means

The three suit groups are fixed to rank 1; the remaining five tiles are the four Winds with one duplicated to make the pair.

Why it is special

All three suited sets use the same terminal rank, alongside all four Winds.

Scores under other rules

Windy OnesWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

A Pung/Kong of 1s in each suit, with a Wind pair and the other Winds single.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

With exposed sets: 500 winner · 200 fishing.

What it looks like

A Pung/Kong of 1s in each suit, plus all four Winds with one Wind paired.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Windy Ones hand: Pungs of 1 Bamboo, 1 Circles and 1 Characters; East, South, West and North Winds with East Wind duplicated as the pair.

Sources
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Windy Nines

Special hand group

A Pung/Kong of 9s in each suit, plus all four Winds with one Wind paired.

A hybrid hand combining terminal Pungs/Kongs in all three suits with all four Wind identities and a Wind pair.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingWith exposed sets: 500 winner · 200 fishing
What it looks like

A Pung/Kong of 9s in each suit, plus all four Winds with one Wind paired.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Windy Nines hand: Pungs of 9 Bamboo, 9 Circles and 9 Characters; East, South, West and North Winds with South Wind duplicated as the pair.

  • Multiple Suits
  • Winds
  • Terminals
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
  • Hybrid Layout
Learn more about Windy Nines

What it means

The three suit groups are fixed to rank 9; the remaining five tiles are the four Winds with one duplicated to make the pair.

Why it is special

All three suited sets use the same terminal rank, alongside all four Winds.

Scores under other rules

Windy NinesWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

A Pung/Kong of 9s in each suit, with a Wind pair and the other Winds single.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

With exposed sets: 500 winner · 200 fishing.

What it looks like

A Pung/Kong of 9s in each suit, plus all four Winds with one Wind paired.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Windy Nines hand: Pungs of 9 Bamboo, 9 Circles and 9 Characters; East, South, West and North Winds with South Wind duplicated as the pair.

Sources
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Windy Chow

Special hand group

One Chow in each suit, plus all four Winds with one Wind paired.

Make one Chow in each suit. Use all four Winds, with one Wind paired.

500 winner · 200 fishingExposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowed
What it looks like

One Chow in each suit, plus all four Winds with one Wind paired.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Windy Chow hand: a Chow in Bamboo, Circles and Characters, plus East, South, West and North Winds with West Wind duplicated as the pair.

  • Multiple Suits
  • Winds
  • Chow Involving
  • Pairs
  • Hybrid Layout
Learn more about Windy Chow

What it means

The hand contains one Chow from every suit; the five remaining tiles are all four Winds with one forming the pair.

Why it is special

The hand combines a Chow from each suit with all four Winds.

Scores under other rules

Windy ChowWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 500 winner · 200 fishing

A pair and singles of the four Winds, plus one Chow in each suit.

Fixed · 500 winner · 200 fishing

What it looks like

One Chow in each suit, plus all four Winds with one Wind paired.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Windy Chow hand: a Chow in Bamboo, Circles and Characters, plus East, South, West and North Winds with West Wind duplicated as the pair.

Sources
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Hachi Ban

Special hand group

A one-suit 1-8 or 2-9 run plus three Wind or Dragon pairs.

Use eight consecutive tiles in one suit, from 1 to 8 or 2 to 9, plus three pairs of Winds or three pairs of Dragons.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingExposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowedScore this hand →
What it looks like

A one-suit run from 1-8 or 2-9, plus three Wind or Dragon pairs.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Hachi Ban hand: 1 through 8 Circles, plus pairs of East, South and West Winds.

  • Irregular Hand
  • One Suit
  • Honours
  • Pairs
Learn more about Hachi Ban

What it means

The suited section is a single-tile run rather than Chows; the other six tiles form three pairs of Winds or three pairs of Dragons.

Why it is special

It combines an eight-tile straight with three honour pairs.

Scores under other rules

Hachi BanWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

A suited run from 1 through 8 or 2 through 9, plus three pairs of Winds or Dragons.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

What it looks like

A one-suit run from 1-8 or 2-9, plus three Wind or Dragon pairs.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Hachi Ban hand: 1 through 8 Circles, plus pairs of East, South and West Winds.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Dragonfly

Special hand group

One single of each Dragon, a Pung/Kong in each suit, and a suited pair.

Use one of each Dragon, make a Pung or Kong in each suit, then add a suited pair.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingWith exposed sets: 500 winner · 200 fishingScore this hand →
What it looks like

One single of each Dragon, a Pung/Kong in each suit, and a suited pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles
Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Dragonfly hand: single Red, Green and White Dragons; Pungs of 2 Bamboo, 4 Circles and 6 Characters; and a pair of 8 Bamboo.

  • Multiple Suits
  • Dragons
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
  • Hybrid Layout
Learn more about Dragonfly

What it means

The Dragons deliberately remain single; the grouped part of the hand is spread across all three suits.

Why it is special

The Dragons stay as singles while each suit makes one set.

Scores under other rules

DragonflyWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

One single of each Dragon, a Pung/Kong in each suit, and a suited pair.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

With exposed sets: 500 winner · 200 fishing.

What it looks like

One single of each Dragon, a Pung/Kong in each suit, and a suited pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles
Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Dragonfly hand: single Red, Green and White Dragons; Pungs of 2 Bamboo, 4 Circles and 6 Characters; and a pair of 8 Bamboo.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Dragon's Breath

Special hand group

All three Dragons with one Dragon paired, plus five pairs in one suit.

Use all three Dragons, with one Dragon paired, and make five pairs in one suit.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingExposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowedScore this hand →
What it looks like

All three Dragons with one Dragon paired, plus five pairs in one suit.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Dragon's Breath hand: a pair of Red Dragons, single Green and White Dragons, and pairs of 1 through 5 Bamboo.

  • Irregular Hand
  • One Suit
  • Dragons
  • Pairs
Learn more about Dragon's Breath

What it means

Four Dragon tiles occupy the honour portion; the other ten tiles form five pairs within a single numbered suit.

Why it is special

The hand pairs one Dragon and adds five pairs from a single suit.

Scores under other rules

Dragon's BreathWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

A pair and singles of all three Dragons, plus five pairs in one suit.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

What it looks like

All three Dragons with one Dragon paired, plus five pairs in one suit.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Dragon's Breath hand: a pair of Red Dragons, single Green and White Dragons, and pairs of 1 through 5 Bamboo.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Wriggly Dragon

Special hand group

A complete 1-9 run in one suit, one of each Dragon, plus a pair of one Dragon.

Use 1 to 9 in one suit, one of each Dragon, and a pair of one Dragon.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingExposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowedScore this hand →
What it looks like

A complete 1-9 run in one suit, one of each Dragon, plus an extra pair of one Dragon.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Wriggly Dragon hand: 1 through 9 Circles, one Red Dragon, three Green Dragons in total so that Green forms the additional pair, and one White Dragon.

  • Irregular Hand
  • One Suit
  • Dragons
  • Pairs
Learn more about Wriggly Dragon

What it means

The 1-9 suited run uses nine singles; the remaining five tiles are one of each Dragon plus an extra two copies of one Dragon to form the pair alongside its single.

Why it is special

The hand combines a full suited run with all three Dragons.

Scores under other rules

Wriggly DragonWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Three Dragon singles plus a Dragon pair, and a suited run from 1 through 9.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

What it looks like

A complete 1-9 run in one suit, one of each Dragon, plus an extra pair of one Dragon.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Wriggly Dragon hand: 1 through 9 Circles, one Red Dragon, three Green Dragons in total so that Green forms the additional pair, and one White Dragon.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Green Jade

Special hand group

A Green Dragon Pung with Bamboo Pungs/Kongs and a Bamboo pair.

Make a Green Dragon Pung, then use Bamboo Pungs or Kongs and a Bamboo pair.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingWith exposed sets: 500 winner · 200 fishingScore this hand →
What it looks like

A Green Dragon Pung/Kong with Bamboo Pungs/Kongs and a Bamboo pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Green Jade hand: Pungs of Green Dragons, 2 Bamboo, 4 Bamboo and 6 Bamboo, plus a pair of 8 Bamboo.

  • Ordinary Grouped
  • One Suit
  • Dragons
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
Learn more about Green Jade

What it means

Green Dragon is the only honour component; every suited group and the pair come from Bamboo.

Why it is special

The Green Dragon and every suited tile are linked to Bamboo.

Scores under other rules

Green JadeWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

A Green Dragon Pung with Bamboo Pungs/Kongs and a Bamboo pair.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Exposed sets are allowed under these rules.

What it looks like

A Green Dragon Pung/Kong with Bamboo Pungs/Kongs and a Bamboo pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Green Jade hand: Pungs of Green Dragons, 2 Bamboo, 4 Bamboo and 6 Bamboo, plus a pair of 8 Bamboo.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Red Coral

Special hand group

A Red Dragon Pung with Character Pungs/Kongs and a Character pair.

Make a Red Dragon Pung, then use Character Pungs or Kongs and a Character pair.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingWith exposed sets: 500 winner · 200 fishingScore this hand →
What it looks like

A Red Dragon Pung with Character Pungs/Kongs and a Character pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Red Coral hand: Pungs of Red Dragons, 2 Characters, 4 Characters and 6 Characters, plus a pair of 8 Characters.

  • Ordinary Grouped
  • One Suit
  • Dragons
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
Learn more about Red Coral

What it means

Red Dragon is the only honour component; every suited group and the pair come from Characters.

Why it is special

It links a specific Dragon to a single suited family while retaining a normal grouped hand shape.

Scores under other rules

Red CoralWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

A Red Dragon Pung, three Character Pungs/Kongs and a Character pair.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Exposed sets are allowed under these rules.

What it looks like

A Red Dragon Pung with Character Pungs/Kongs and a Character pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Red Coral hand: Pungs of Red Dragons, 2 Characters, 4 Characters and 6 Characters, plus a pair of 8 Characters.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

White Opal

Special hand group

A White Dragon Pung with Circle Pungs/Kongs and a Circle pair.

Make a White Dragon Pung, then use Circle Pungs or Kongs and a Circle pair.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingWith exposed sets: 500 winner · 200 fishingScore this hand →
What it looks like

A White Dragon Pung with Circle Pungs/Kongs and a Circle pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example White Opal hand: Pungs of White Dragons, 2 Circles, 4 Circles and 6 Circles, plus a pair of 8 Circles.

  • Ordinary Grouped
  • One Suit
  • Dragons
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
Learn more about White Opal

What it means

White Dragon is the only honour component; every suited group and the pair come from Circles.

Why it is special

It links a specific Dragon to a single suited family while retaining a normal grouped hand shape.

Scores under other rules

White OpalWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

A White Dragon Pung, three Circle Pungs/Kongs and a Circle pair.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Exposed sets are allowed under these rules.

What it looks like

A White Dragon Pung with Circle Pungs/Kongs and a Circle pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example White Opal hand: Pungs of White Dragons, 2 Circles, 4 Circles and 6 Circles, plus a pair of 8 Circles.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Run, Pung & Pair

Special hand group

A complete 1-9 run as three Chows, plus a same-suit Pung and pair.

Make Chows 1-2-3, 4-5-6 and 7-8-9 in one suit, then add a Pung and pair in that suit.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingExposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowedScore this hand →
What it looks like

A complete 1-9 run as three Chows, plus a same-suit Pung and pair.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Run, Pung and Pair hand in Circles: Chows 1-2-3, 4-5-6 and 7-8-9, a Pung of 1 Circles, and a pair of 2 Circles.

  • Ordinary Grouped
  • One Suit
  • Chow Involving
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
Learn more about Run, Pung & Pair

What it means

The three Chows guarantee every rank 1 through 9 appears; the final Pung and pair repeat ranks from that same suit within physical copy limits.

Why it is special

The hand combines a full 1-9 run with a Pung and a pair in one suit.

Scores under other rules

Run, Pung & PairWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

A 1–9 run as three chows, with a Pung/Kong and pair in the same suit.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Exposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowed.

What it looks like

A complete 1-9 run as three Chows, plus a same-suit Pung and pair.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Run, Pung and Pair hand in Circles: Chows 1-2-3, 4-5-6 and 7-8-9, a Pung of 1 Circles, and a pair of 2 Circles.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Grand Sequence

Related hands

A complete 1-9 run plus an honour Pung/Kong; Western permits any pair, while Club - Bramhall 2026 requires a suited pair.

Make a 1-9 run in one suit and an honour Pung or Kong. The pair rule depends on the rules you use.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingExposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowedScore this hand →
Example variant: Club - Bramhall 2026 — suited pair

A 1-9 run, an honour Pung or Kong and a suited pair. This is the Club - Bramhall 2026 form.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Club - Bramhall 2026 Grand Sequence: Circles Chows 1-2-3, 4-5-6 and 7-8-9, a Pung of East Winds, and a pair of 5 Circles.

  • Ordinary Grouped
  • One Suit
  • Chow Involving
  • Honours
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
Learn more about Grand Sequence

What it means

The three-Chow run and honour meld are shared. The important difference is the pair: Thompson & Maloney allows any pair; Club - Bramhall 2026 narrows this to a suited pair.

Why it is special

The pair rule changes which hands count, even when the run and honour set match.

Related variants

Western — any pair

A 1-9 run, an honour Pung/Kong and any pair.

What it looks like

A 1-9 run and honour Pung/Kong with an honour pair, demonstrating the broader Western any-pair form.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Western Grand Sequence: Bamboo Chows 1-2-3, 4-5-6 and 7-8-9, a Pung of South Winds, and a pair of Red Dragons.

Club - Bramhall 2026 — suited pair

A 1-9 run, an honour Pung/Kong and a suited pair.

What it looks like

A 1-9 run, an honour Pung or Kong and a suited pair. This is the Club - Bramhall 2026 form.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Club - Bramhall 2026 Grand Sequence: Circles Chows 1-2-3, 4-5-6 and 7-8-9, a Pung of East Winds, and a pair of 5 Circles.

Scores under other rules

Grand SequenceWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

A 1–9 run, an honour Pung/Kong, and any pair.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Exposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowed.

What it looks like

A 1-9 run and honour Pung/Kong with an honour pair, demonstrating the broader Western any-pair form.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Western Grand Sequence: Bamboo Chows 1-2-3, 4-5-6 and 7-8-9, a Pung of South Winds, and a pair of Red Dragons.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Buried Treasure

Special hand group

Four concealed Pungs and a concealed pair in one suit. The winning rules depend on the version you play.

Make four concealed Pungs and a concealed pair in one numbered suit.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingExposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowedWinning method: wall or last-wall-tileScore this hand →
What it looks like

Four concealed Pungs and a concealed pair in one suit. The way you must win depends on the rules.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Buried Treasure hand: concealed Pungs of 2, 4, 6 and 8 Circles, plus a concealed pair of 5 Circles.

  • Ordinary Grouped
  • One Suit
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
Learn more about Buried Treasure

What it means

Keep the hand concealed. The rules also set how you must win.

Why it is special

The concealed Pungs and the way you win make this hand unusual.

Scores under other rules

Buried treasureBritish / BMJA-style · 2008 · 1.0 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Four concealed pungs and a concealed pair, using one suit with optional winds/dragons.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

What it looks like

Four concealed Pungs and a concealed pair in one suit. The way you must win depends on the rules.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Buried Treasure hand: concealed Pungs of 2, 4, 6 and 8 Circles, plus a concealed pair of 5 Circles.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • British / BMJA-style — BMJA-approved British rules reference
  • Club - Bramhall 2026 — A local club rules profile

Earth's Blessing

Special hand

A non-East player wins from East’s first discard.

Win with East’s first discard.

1,000 winner
What it looks like

A non-East player wins with East's first discard.

  1. 1East makes the first discard
  2. 2Another player claims that discard
  3. 3The discard completes Mahjong
  • Event Defined
Learn more about Earth's Blessing

What it means

The hand shape can be ordinary; the special comes from the exact moment and discarder that provide the winning tile.

Why it is special

East’s first discard ends the hand before normal play develops.

Reference note

This BMJA hand is won from East’s first discard.

Sources
  • British / BMJA-style — BMJA-approved British rules reference

Gathering the Plum Blossom from the Roof

Special hand

A replacement draw gives you the 5 Circles that completes Mahjong.

Draw the 5 Circles as a replacement tile, and use it to win.

1,000 winner
What it looks like

The replacement tile is 5 Circles and it completes Mahjong.

  1. 1A Kong or bonus replacement draw occurs
  2. 2The replacement tile is 5 Circles
  3. 35 Circles completes Mahjong
  • Event Defined
Learn more about Gathering the Plum Blossom from the Roof

What it means

The final hand shape alone is not enough; the scorer needs to know that 5 Circles arrived as the qualifying replacement draw.

Why it is special

The winning tile must be the 5 Circles drawn as a replacement tile.

Sources
  • British / BMJA-style — BMJA-approved British rules reference

Plucking the Moon from the Bottom of the Sea

Special hand

The last drawable tile is 1 Circle, and it completes Mahjong.

Draw the last live-wall tile, the 1 Circle, and use it to win.

1,000 winner
What it looks like

The last live-wall tile is 1 Circles and it completes Mahjong.

  1. 1The last drawable live-wall tile is taken
  2. 2The tile is 1 Circles
  3. 31 Circles completes Mahjong
  • Event Defined
Learn more about Plucking the Moon from the Bottom of the Sea

What it means

The winning tile and its place in the wall both matter. The same final tiles won another way do not make this hand.

Why it is special

The hand must win on the 1 Circle from the last live-wall draw.

Sources
  • British / BMJA-style — BMJA-approved British rules reference

All Winds and Dragons

Special hand

Four Pungs or Kongs and a pair made only from Winds and Dragons.

Make four honour Pungs or Kongs and a pair. Buzzard scores this named hand at the table limit.

Configured/table limitScore this hand →
What it looks like

Buzzard example: four Pungs or Kongs and a pair using only Winds and Dragons.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

current rules Buzzard All Winds and Dragons example: Pungs of East, South, West and North Winds, plus a pair of Red Dragons.

  • Ordinary Grouped
  • Honours
  • Winds
  • Dragons
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
Learn more about All Winds and Dragons

What it means

Every set and the pair are Winds or Dragons. No suited tiles appear.

Why it is special

Buzzard lists All Winds and Dragons among its ten limit hands, irrespective of ordinary score value.

Reference note

This describes the Buzzard 2000 hand. Other rules may define a hand with the same name differently.

Sources
  • British/Western Classical — Buzzard 2000 — Buzzard 2000 source material

Three Winds and a Pair

Special hand

Three Wind Pungs or Kongs, a pair of the fourth Wind, and one more set.

A Buzzard hand with Pungs or Kongs of three Winds and a pair of the fourth Wind.

Configured/table limitScore this hand →
What it looks like

Winning example: three Wind Pungs or Kongs, the fourth Wind as the pair, plus another set.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

current rules Buzzard Three Winds and a Pair example: Pungs of East, South and West Winds, a pair of North Winds, and a Pung of 5 Circles. Buzzard source evidence also permits a non-winning limit case not represented by this example.

  • Winds
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
Learn more about Three Winds and a Pair

What it means

The winning form has Pung/Kongs of three distinct Winds, a pair of the fourth Wind, and one ordinary Chow, Pung or Kong. It is materially different from Four Blessings, which requires four Wind Pung/Kongs.

Why it is special

Buzzard requires three Wind sets, the fourth Wind as a pair, and one other set.

Reference note

Buzzard also has a separate table-score rule for some hands that do not win as this special hand.

Also called: Three Winds

Sources
  • British/Western Classical — Buzzard 2000 — Buzzard 2000 source material

East's First Discard

Special hand

Mahjong is made with East Wind's first discard.

A special win from East’s first discard. Buzzard scores it at the table limit.

Configured/table limit
What it looks like

Mahjong is made with East's first discard.

  1. 1East makes the first discard
  2. 2Another player wins on that discard
  • Event Defined
Learn more about East's First Discard

What it means

The completed hand does not define the special by itself; the winning tile must be East's first discard.

Why it is special

Buzzard lists this immediate first-discard win among its ten limit hands.

Reference note

This describes the Buzzard 2000 rule. It does not establish that every ruleset uses the same rule as BMJA Earth’s Blessing.

Sources
  • British/Western Classical — Buzzard 2000 — Buzzard 2000 source material

All Ones and Nines

Special hand

Four Pungs or Kongs and a pair made only from suited 1s and 9s.

Use only the 1 and 9 tiles from Bamboo, Circles and Characters.

Configured/table limitScore this hand →
What it looks like

Buzzard example: four Pungs or Kongs and a pair made from suited 1s and 9s.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

current rules Buzzard All Ones and Nines example: Pungs of 1 Bamboo, 9 Circles, 1 Character and 9 Bamboo, plus a pair of 9 Characters.

  • Ordinary Grouped
  • Terminals
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
Learn more about All Ones and Nines

What it means

Winds and Dragons are not part of this hand.

Why it is special

Buzzard lists All Ones and Nines among its ten limit hands.

Reference note

Buzzard scores this hand at the table limit. Other rules may score similar tile patterns differently.

Sources
  • British/Western Classical — Buzzard 2000 — Buzzard 2000 source material

Concealed Pungs/Kongs

Special hand

Four concealed Pungs or Kongs and a pair.

Make four concealed Pungs or Kongs and a pair. Buzzard scores this named hand at the table limit.

Configured/table limitScore this hand →
What it looks like

Four concealed Pungs/Kongs plus a pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Buzzard Concealed Pungs/Kongs hand: concealed Pungs of 2 Bamboo, 4 Circles, 6 Characters and Red Dragons, plus a pair of East Winds.

  • Ordinary Grouped
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
Learn more about Concealed Pungs/Kongs

What it means

The grouped structure is ordinary, but every meld must satisfy the concealed Pung/Kong condition represented by the current detector.

Why it is special

Buzzard scores concealed Pungs and Kongs as a named limit hand.

Sources
  • British/Western Classical — Buzzard 2000 — Buzzard 2000 source material

East's Thirteenth Consecutive Mahjong

Special hand

East wins a thirteenth consecutive hand while remaining East.

East wins the thirteenth hand in a row.

Configured/table limit
What it looks like

East wins a thirteenth consecutive Mahjong while remaining East.

  1. 1East has already won twelve consecutive hands as East
  2. 2East wins the thirteenth consecutive Mahjong
  • Event Defined
Learn more about East's Thirteenth Consecutive Mahjong

What it means

This depends on the game history, not on a particular tile pattern.

Why it is special

Buzzard rewards the thirteenth consecutive East win as a limit event.

Sources
  • British/Western Classical — Buzzard 2000 — Buzzard 2000 source material

Greta's 1-7 run hands

Related hands

Both Greta hands start with 1 to 7 in one suit. Their Wind and Dragon tiles differ.

Both hands use 1 to 7 in one suit. Greta’s Dragon adds all four Winds and a Dragon Pung or Kong. Greta’s Garden adds all four Winds and all three Dragons as singles.

1,000 winner · 400 fishing
Example variant: Greta's Dragon

A 1-7 run in one suit, all four Winds, and a Dragon Pung/Kong.

Pung · three tiles
Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Greta's Dragon hand: 1 through 7 Bamboo, East, South, West and North Winds, and a Pung of Red Dragons.

  • Irregular Hand
  • One Suit
  • Winds
  • Dragons
Learn more about Greta's 1-7 run hands

What it means

The 1-7 run is the common visual cue. Greta's Dragon adds all four Winds and a Dragon Pung/Kong; Greta's Garden instead adds all four Winds and all three Dragons as single honours.

Why it is special

The same 1 to 7 run leads to two hands with different Wind and Dragon tiles.

Related variants

Greta's Dragon

A 1-7 run in one suit, all four Winds and a Dragon Pung/Kong.

What it looks like

A 1-7 run in one suit, all four Winds, and a Dragon Pung/Kong.

Pung · three tiles
Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Greta's Dragon hand: 1 through 7 Bamboo, East, South, West and North Winds, and a Pung of Red Dragons.

Greta's Garden

A 1-7 run in one suit plus all four Winds and all three Dragons.

What it looks like

A 1-7 run in one suit plus all four Winds and all three Dragons.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Greta's Garden hand: 1 through 7 Circles, all four Winds, and Red, Green and White Dragons.

Scores under other rules

Greta's GardenWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

A 1–7 run in one suit, all four Winds and all three Dragons.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

What it looks like

A 1-7 run in one suit plus all four Winds and all three Dragons.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Greta's Garden hand: 1 through 7 Circles, all four Winds, and Red, Green and White Dragons.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Dragon's Run

Special hand

A 1-9 run in one suit, one of each Dragon and a Wind pair.

Use 1 to 9 in one suit, one of each Dragon and a pair of Winds. The 1-9 run is nine single tiles, not Chows.

1,500 winner · 600 fishingScore this hand →
What it looks like

A complete 1-9 run in one suit, one of each Dragon, and a Wind pair.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Dragon's Run hand: 1 through 9 Characters, one Red, Green and White Dragon, and a pair of East Winds.

  • Irregular Hand
  • One Suit
  • Winds
  • Dragons
  • Pairs
Learn more about Dragon's Run

What it means

The nine suited tiles are singles forming 1 through 9; the remaining five tiles are the three Dragons plus two identical Winds.

Why it is special

It combines a full suited run with all three Dragons and a Wind pair.

Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Yin Yang

Special hand

Two complementary suit blocks: 11, 234, 55 in one suit and 55, 678, 99 in the other.

A fixed two-suit layout combining pairs and three-tile runs in a mirrored pattern.

1,000 winner · 400 fishing
What it looks like

Two complementary seven-tile suit blocks: 11, 234, 55 in one suit and 55, 678, 99 in another.

Loose example segment 1
Loose example segment 2

Example Yin Yang hand: Bamboo 11, 234 and 55; Circles 55, 678 and 99.

  • Irregular Hand
  • Multiple Suits
  • Pairs
  • Chow Involving
Learn more about Yin Yang

What it means

One suit supplies the low pair/run pattern; the other supplies the high run/pair pattern, with a 5 pair present in both suits.

Why it is special

The hand must use this exact two-suit arrangement.

Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Little Robert

Special hand

One Chow in each suit, plus a suited Pung/Kong and suited pair.

Make one Chow in each suit, then add a suited Pung or Kong and a suited pair. Do not use an honour set or pair.

500 winner · 200 fishingExposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowedScore this hand →
What it looks like

One Chow in each suit, plus a suited Pung/Kong and a suited pair.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Little Robert hand: 1-2-3 Bamboo, 4-5-6 Circles and 7-8-9 Characters Chows, a Pung of 5 Bamboo, and a pair of 2 Circles.

  • Ordinary Grouped
  • Multiple Suits
  • Chow Involving
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
Learn more about Little Robert

What it means

The three Chows guarantee all three suits appear; the remaining Pung/Kong and pair must also be suited rather than honours.

Why it is special

It uses a Chow in all three suits and no honour set or pair.

Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Moon at Bottom of Well

Special hand

Four Circle Chows and a Circle pair, including 123, 456 and 789.

Make four Circle Chows and a Circle pair. The Chows must include 1-2-3, 4-5-6 and 7-8-9.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingScore this hand →
What it looks like

Four Circle Chows and a Circle pair, including 123, 456 and 789.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Pair · two tiles

Example Moon at Bottom of Well hand: Circle Chows 1-2-3, 3-4-5, 4-5-6 and 7-8-9, plus a pair of 5 Circles.

  • Ordinary Grouped
  • One Suit
  • Chow Involving
  • Pairs
Learn more about Moon at Bottom of Well

What it means

Three of the Chows establish 123, 456 and 789; a fourth Circle Chow and Circle pair complete the ordinary hand.

Why it is special

The four Chows include the full 1-9 run in Circles.

Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Wind-pair Chow hands

Related hands

All three hands use one Chow in each suit and all four Winds, with one Wind paired. Two hands fix the Chow ranks to 1-2-3 or 7-8-9.

Windy Chow allows any Chows. Chop Suey uses 1-2-3 in every suit. Chow Mein uses 7-8-9 in every suit.

1,000 winner · 400 fishing
Example variant: Chop Suey

123 Chow in each suit plus all four Winds, with one Wind paired.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Chop Suey hand: 1-2-3 Chows in Bamboo, Circles and Characters, plus East, South, West and North Winds with East duplicated as the pair.

  • Hybrid Layout
  • Multiple Suits
  • Winds
  • Chow Involving
  • Pairs
Learn more about Wind-pair Chow hands

What it means

Windy Chow leaves the three Chows open; Chop Suey fixes all three to 123; Chow Mein fixes all three to 789.

Why it is special

The fixed Chow ranks distinguish Chop Suey and Chow Mein from Windy Chow.

Related variants

Windy Chow

One Chow in each suit plus all four Winds with one paired.

Chop Suey

123 Chow in every suit plus all four Winds with one paired.

What it looks like

123 Chow in each suit plus all four Winds, with one Wind paired.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Chop Suey hand: 1-2-3 Chows in Bamboo, Circles and Characters, plus East, South, West and North Winds with East duplicated as the pair.

Chow Mein

789 Chow in every suit plus all four Winds with one paired.

What it looks like

789 Chow in each suit plus all four Winds, with one Wind paired.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Chow Mein hand: 7-8-9 Chows in Bamboo, Circles and Characters, plus East, South, West and North Winds with South duplicated as the pair.

Scores under other rules

Chow MeinWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

A Wind pair and singles, plus 789 Chows in each suit.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

What it looks like

789 Chow in each suit plus all four Winds, with one Wind paired.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Chow Mein hand: 7-8-9 Chows in Bamboo, Circles and Characters, plus East, South, West and North Winds with South duplicated as the pair.

Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Dragonette

Special hand

All four Winds, all three Dragons with one Dragon paired, and three non-terminal pairs in one suit.

Use all four Winds as singles, all three Dragons with one Dragon paired, and three non-terminal pairs in one suit.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingScore this hand →
What it looks like

All four Winds, all three Dragons with one Dragon paired, and three non-terminal pairs in one suit.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Dragonette hand: East, South, West and North Winds; a pair of Red Dragons plus single Green and White Dragons; and pairs of 2, 4 and 6 Bamboo.

  • Irregular Hand
  • One Suit
  • Winds
  • Dragons
  • Pairs
Learn more about Dragonette

What it means

The Winds remain four singles; the Dragons contribute one pair and two singles; the remaining six tiles are three non-terminal pairs in one suit.

Why it is special

All seven honour tiles appear, and three pairs complete the suited part.

Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Western hands named “Gates”

Related hands

Three Western hands have “Gates” in the name, but their tile patterns are different.

Compare Confused Gates, Golden Gates and Dragon’s Gates to tell the names apart.

1,000 winner · 400 fishing
Example variant: Confused Gates

A 2-8 run with one rank paired, plus a Pung of 1s in another suit and a Pung of 9s in the third.

Loose example segment 1
Loose example segment 2
Loose example segment 3

Example Confused Gates hand: Bamboo 2 through 8 with 5 Bamboo duplicated, a Pung of 1 Circles, and a Pung of 9 Characters.

  • Terminals
Learn more about Western hands named “Gates”

What it means

This topic exists to help a learner distinguish names, not to assert a common canonical hand. Confused Gates uses a 2-8 run plus terminal Pungs; Golden Gates uses even-rank pairs plus a terminal and corresponding Dragon; Dragon's Gates combines a 2-8 run/pair with a terminal meld and corresponding Dragon meld.

Why it is special

The similar names can easily cause lookup mistakes.

Reference note

These hands are different from Gates of Heaven.

Related variants

Confused Gates

A 2-8 run with one duplicated run tile, plus 111 and 999 in the other two suits.

What it looks like

A 2-8 run with one rank paired, plus a Pung of 1s in another suit and a Pung of 9s in the third.

Loose example segment 1
Loose example segment 2
Loose example segment 3

Example Confused Gates hand: Bamboo 2 through 8 with 5 Bamboo duplicated, a Pung of 1 Circles, and a Pung of 9 Characters.

Golden Gates

Pairs of 2,4,6,8 in one suit plus its qualifying terminal and corresponding Dragon melds.

What it looks like

Pairs of 2, 4, 6 and 8 in one suit, plus its qualifying terminal Pung/Kong and corresponding Dragon Pung/Kong.

Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles

Golden Gates example: pairs of 2, 4, 6 and 8 in one suit, with a terminal Pung or Kong and its matching Dragon Pung or Kong.

Do not hard-code a suit-to-Dragon correspondence in learner prose; derive the concrete example from the hand rule/source mapping during implementation.

Dragon's Gates

A 2-8 run with pair plus a same-suit terminal meld and corresponding Dragon meld.

What it looks like

A 2-8 run and pair, plus a same-suit terminal Pung/Kong and its corresponding Dragon Pung/Kong.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Dragon’s Gates example: a 2 to 8 run in one suit with one tile paired, plus a 1 or 9 Pung or Kong and its matching Dragon Pung or Kong.

The exact suit and Dragon pairing is not clear in the available reference, so no tile example is shown.

Scores under other rules

Golden GatesWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Pairs of 2, 4, 6 and 8 in one suit, with its 1 or 9 and corresponding Dragon as Pungs or Kongs.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

With exposed sets: 500 winner · 200 fishing.

What it looks like

Pairs of 2, 4, 6 and 8 in one suit, plus its qualifying terminal Pung/Kong and corresponding Dragon Pung/Kong.

Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles
Pair · two tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles

Golden Gates example: pairs of 2, 4, 6 and 8 in one suit, with a terminal Pung or Kong and its matching Dragon Pung or Kong.

Do not hard-code a suit-to-Dragon correspondence in learner prose; derive the concrete example from the hand rule/source mapping during implementation.

Dragon's GatesWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

A 2–8 run and pair with same-suit 1/9 and corresponding Dragon Pungs/Kongs.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

With exposed sets: 500 winner · 200 fishing.

What it looks like

A 2-8 run and pair, plus a same-suit terminal Pung/Kong and its corresponding Dragon Pung/Kong.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Dragon’s Gates example: a 2 to 8 run in one suit with one tile paired, plus a 1 or 9 Pung or Kong and its matching Dragon Pung or Kong.

The exact suit and Dragon pairing is not clear in the available reference, so no tile example is shown.

Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Five Odd Honours

Special hand

Take 1 to 9 in one suit as single tiles, then add five different Winds or Dragons.

An irregular hand joining a complete one-suit straight to five distinct honour tiles.

500 winner · 200 fishingScore this hand →
What it looks like

A 1-9 run in one suit plus five different Winds or Dragons.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Five Odd Honours hand: 1 through 9 Bamboo, East, South and West Winds, and Red and Green Dragons.

  • Irregular Hand
  • One Suit
  • Honours
Learn more about Five Odd Honours

What it means

The suited nine tiles form 1 through 9 as singles; the remaining five tiles are distinct Winds/Dragons rather than pairs or melds.

Why it is special

It combines a complete suited straight with five different honour tiles.

Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Purity

Special hand

One suit, four sets and a pair. Western — T&M allows at most one Chow.

A one-suit Western scoring pattern, not a fixed-value special hand.

Calculated under this profileExposed sets multiply the score by 0.5
  • Ordinary Grouped
  • One Suit
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
  • Chow Involving
Learn more about Purity

What it means

The hand uses the usual four sets and a pair. One set may be a Chow.

Why it is special

The same name “Purity” has a different structure under these rules.

Reference note

The score and exposure value are calculated under Western — T&M. One Chow is allowed; an exposed Chow does not count.

Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Sunrise and Sunset

Related hands

Two mirrored three-suit Pung/Kong hands with different honour anchors.

Both hands use one non-terminal Pung or Kong in each suit. Sunrise adds an East Wind Pung or Kong and a White Dragon pair. Sunset adds a White Dragon Pung or Kong and a Red Dragon pair.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingWith exposed sets: 500 winner · 200 fishingScore this hand →
Example variant: Sunrise

East Wind Pung/Kong, White Dragon pair, and a non-terminal Pung/Kong in each suit.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Sunrise hand: a Pung of East Winds, a pair of White Dragons, and Pungs of 2 Bamboo, 4 Circles and 6 Characters.

  • Ordinary Grouped
  • Multiple Suits
  • Winds
  • Dragons
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
Learn more about Sunrise and Sunset

What it means

Sunrise uses East Wind as the meld and White Dragon as the pair; Sunset uses White Dragon as the meld and Red Dragon as the pair.

Why it is special

The suited sets match, while the Wind and Dragon tiles tell the hands apart.

Related variants

Sunrise

East Wind Pung/Kong, White Dragon pair, and one non-terminal Pung/Kong in each suit.

What it looks like

East Wind Pung/Kong, White Dragon pair, and a non-terminal Pung/Kong in each suit.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Sunrise hand: a Pung of East Winds, a pair of White Dragons, and Pungs of 2 Bamboo, 4 Circles and 6 Characters.

Sunset

White Dragon Pung/Kong, Red Dragon pair, and one non-terminal Pung/Kong in each suit.

What it looks like

White Dragon Pung/Kong, Red Dragon pair, and a non-terminal Pung/Kong in each suit.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Sunset hand: a Pung of White Dragons, a pair of Red Dragons, and Pungs of 2 Bamboo, 4 Circles and 6 Characters.

Scores under other rules

SunsetWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

A White Dragon Pung/Kong, Red Dragon pair, and non-terminal Pungs/Kongs in each suit.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

With exposed sets: 500 winner · 200 fishing.

What it looks like

White Dragon Pung/Kong, Red Dragon pair, and a non-terminal Pung/Kong in each suit.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Sunset hand: a Pung of White Dragons, a pair of Red Dragons, and Pungs of 2 Bamboo, 4 Circles and 6 Characters.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

All Honour Hand

Special hand

Four Pungs or Kongs and a pair using honours and, if used, 1s or 9s from one suit.

Use only Winds, Dragons, and 1s or 9s from at most one numbered suit.

Calculated under this profileExposed sets multiply the score by 0.5
  • Ordinary Grouped
  • One Suit
  • Terminals
  • Honours
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
Learn more about All Honour Hand

What it means

The hand uses Pungs or Kongs. Any suited tiles must all come from one suit and be 1s or 9s.

Why it is special

Any suited tiles must be 1s or 9s, and they must all come from one suit.

Reference note

The score and exposure value are calculated under these rules.

Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Ordinary Mah Jong

Special hand

One suit with optional honours, mostly Pungs or Kongs, plus a pair. One Chow may be allowed.

A named Western scoring pattern for a mostly Pung or Kong hand using one numbered suit plus optional Winds or Dragons.

Calculated under this profileExposed sets multiply the score by 0.5
  • Ordinary Grouped
  • One Suit
  • Honours
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
  • Chow Involving
Learn more about Ordinary Mah Jong

What it means

One Chow may be used, but the rest of the hand is built from Pungs or Kongs and a pair.

Why it is special

This named hand has its own rules for sets, honours and exposure.

Reference note

The score and exposure eligibility are calculated under these rules. An exposed Chow does not count.

Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

1-9 run with honour sets

Related hands

Three hands share a 1-9 run in one suit. Their honour Pung or Kong and pair tell them apart.

Guardian Winds uses a Wind set and Wind pair. Guardian Dragons uses a Dragon set and Dragon pair. Dragon’s Tail mixes the two honour types.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingExposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowedScore this hand →
Example variant: Guardian Winds

A complete 1-9 run plus a Wind Pung/Kong and Wind pair.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Guardian Winds hand: Circles Chows 1-2-3, 4-5-6 and 7-8-9, a Pung of East Winds, and a pair of South Winds.

  • Ordinary Grouped
  • One Suit
  • Chow Involving
  • Honours
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
Learn more about 1-9 run with honour sets

What it means

Guardian Winds uses a Wind meld and Wind pair; Guardian Dragons uses a Dragon meld and Dragon pair; Dragon's Tail deliberately mixes the honour families, one as the meld and the other as the pair.

Why it is special

The same suited run supports three hands with different honour rules.

Related variants

Guardian Winds

A 1-9 run, Wind Pung/Kong and Wind pair.

What it looks like

A complete 1-9 run plus a Wind Pung/Kong and Wind pair.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Guardian Winds hand: Circles Chows 1-2-3, 4-5-6 and 7-8-9, a Pung of East Winds, and a pair of South Winds.

Guardian Dragons

A 1-9 run, Dragon Pung/Kong and Dragon pair.

What it looks like

A complete 1-9 run plus a Dragon Pung/Kong and Dragon pair.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Guardian Dragons hand: Bamboo Chows 1-2-3, 4-5-6 and 7-8-9, a Pung of Red Dragons, and a pair of Green Dragons.

Dragon's Tail

A 1-9 run with a Wind Pung/Kong and Dragon pair, or a Dragon Pung/Kong and Wind pair.

What it looks like

A complete 1-9 run with a Wind Pung/Kong and Dragon pair, or the reverse honour roles.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Dragon's Tail hand: Characters Chows 1-2-3, 4-5-6 and 7-8-9, a Pung of West Winds, and a pair of White Dragons. The source also permits the Wind/Dragon roles reversed.

Scores under other rules

Guardian DragonsWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

A 1–9 run, plus a Dragon Pung/Kong and Dragon pair.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Exposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowed.

What it looks like

A complete 1-9 run plus a Dragon Pung/Kong and Dragon pair.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Guardian Dragons hand: Bamboo Chows 1-2-3, 4-5-6 and 7-8-9, a Pung of Red Dragons, and a pair of Green Dragons.

Score this hand →
Dragon's TailWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

A 1–9 run, a Wind Pung/Kong and Dragon pair, or the reverse.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

With exposed sets: 500 winner · 200 fishing.

What it looks like

A complete 1-9 run with a Wind Pung/Kong and Dragon pair, or the reverse honour roles.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Dragon's Tail hand: Characters Chows 1-2-3, 4-5-6 and 7-8-9, a Pung of West Winds, and a pair of White Dragons. The source also permits the Wind/Dragon roles reversed.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

All Pair Jade

Special hand

Seven pairs using Green Dragons and the permitted green Bamboo tiles.

A Western seven-pair Jade hand using Green Dragons and the green Bamboo tiles allowed by these rules.

1,000 winner · 400 fishing
What it looks like

Seven pairs drawn from Green Dragons and the permitted green Bamboo tiles.

All Pair Jade example: make seven pairs from Green Dragons and the green Bamboo tiles allowed by these rules.

  • Irregular Hand
  • One Suit
  • Dragons
  • Pairs
  • Green Tiles
Learn more about All Pair Jade

What it means

The hand is entirely pair-based and uses the Jade/green tile theme rather than normal melds.

Why it is special

It combines the seven-pair structure with a tight green-tile composition.

Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Windy Dragons

Special hand

Pairs of all four Winds plus two Dragon Pungs/Kongs.

Make a pair of each Wind, then two Dragon Pungs or Kongs.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingExposed sets are allowed under these rules
What it looks like

Pairs of all four Winds plus two Dragon Pungs/Kongs.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Windy Dragons hand: pairs of East, South, West and North Winds, plus Pungs of Red and Green Dragons.

  • Hybrid Layout
  • Winds
  • Dragons
  • Pairs
  • Pungs Kongs
Learn more about Windy Dragons

What it means

The Winds are paired rather than melded; the Dragon component provides the two Pungs/Kongs.

Why it is special

All four Winds are pairs, while the Dragons make the two sets.

Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Odd and even rank hands

Related hands

Chinese Odds and Odds & Evens both use odd or even tile numbers, but the hands are built differently.

Chinese Odds uses odd-number Pungs or Kongs in one suit. Odds & Evens uses odd ranks in two suits and even ranks in the third.

500 winner · 200 fishingExposed sets are allowed under these rulesScore this hand →
Example variant: Chinese Odds

Four Pungs/Kongs and a pair using only odd ranks in one suit.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Chinese Odds hand: Pungs of 1, 3, 5 and 7 Circles, plus a pair of 9 Circles.

  • Rank Parity
Learn more about Odd and even rank hands

What it means

Chinese Odds is a usual grouped hand in one suit. Odds & Evens spreads odd ranks across two suits and even ranks across the third.

Why it is special

The tile numbers themselves are part of the rule.

Related variants

Chinese Odds

Four Pungs/Kongs and a pair of odd ranks in one suit.

What it looks like

Four Pungs/Kongs and a pair using only odd ranks in one suit.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Chinese Odds hand: Pungs of 1, 3, 5 and 7 Circles, plus a pair of 9 Circles.

Odds & Evens

Odd ranks in two suits and even ranks in the third, under the exact canonical layout hand rule.

What it looks like

Use odd ranks in two suits and even ranks in the third, following the full hand rule.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Odds and Evens example: use odd ranks in two suits and even ranks in the third.

Scores under other rules

Odds & EvensWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,500 winner · 600 fishing

Odd ranks in two suits and even ranks in the third.

Fixed · 1,500 winner · 600 fishing

What it looks like

Use odd ranks in two suits and even ranks in the third, following the full hand rule.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Odds and Evens example: use odd ranks in two suits and even ranks in the third.

Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Robin

Special hand

Four Chows across all three suits in a 1/2/1 suit distribution, plus a pair.

Make four Chows across all three suits, plus a pair. One suit must supply two of the four Chows.

500 winner · 200 fishingScore this hand →
What it looks like

Four Chows across all three suits in a 1/2/1 suit distribution, plus a pair.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Pair · two tiles

Example Robin hand: one Bamboo Chow, two Circles Chows, one Characters Chow, and a pair of 5 Bamboo.

  • Ordinary Grouped
  • Multiple Suits
  • Chow Involving
  • Pairs
Learn more about Robin

What it means

All three suits must be represented, but the four Chow slots cannot be distributed evenly; one suit supplies two of them.

Why it is special

The four Chows use one suit twice and the other suits once each.

Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Numbers in Parallel

Special hand

Matching non-terminal Pungs/Kongs in each suit, plus an honour Pung/Kong and pair.

Choose one non-terminal number and make that Pung or Kong in all three suits. Add an honour Pung or Kong and a pair.

1,500 winner · 600 fishingExposed sets are allowed under these rules
What it looks like

Matching-rank Pungs/Kongs in all three suits, plus an honour Pung/Kong and a pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Numbers in Parallel example: make a Pung or Kong of the same non-terminal number in all three suits, then add the required honour set and pair.

  • Ordinary Grouped
  • Multiple Suits
  • Honours
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
  • Parallel Ranks
Learn more about Numbers in Parallel

What it means

The three suited melds are parallel versions of one another, differing only by suit; an honour meld and pair complete the hand.

Why it is special

The same number appears as a set in every suit.

Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Dragon and suit-colour hands

Related hands

Ten Western hands link particular Dragons with specific suits or coloured rank groups.

These are separate named hands. The useful clue is the Dragon colour and the restricted suited tiles used with it.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingExposed sets are allowed under these rulesScore this hand →
Example variant: Blue Mountains

A Green Dragon Pung with three blue-rank Circle Pungs/Kongs and a blue-rank Circle pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Blue Mountains example: a Green Dragon Pung, Pungs of 2, 4 and 8 Circles, and a pair of 9 Circles. Blue Circles are 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9.

  • Dragons
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
Learn more about Dragon and suit-colour hands

What it means

Choose a hand below to see its exact Dragon and suit rule.

Why it is special

The names are easier to understand when the colour patterns are shown together.

Related variants

Blue Mountains

Green Dragon Pung with three Pungs/Kongs and a pair from the blue Circle ranks 2,3,4,5,8,9.

What it looks like

A Green Dragon Pung with three blue-rank Circle Pungs/Kongs and a blue-rank Circle pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Blue Mountains example: a Green Dragon Pung, Pungs of 2, 4 and 8 Circles, and a pair of 9 Circles. Blue Circles are 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9.

White Elephant

White Dragon Pung/Kong with even Circle Pungs/Kongs and pair.

What it looks like

White Dragon Pung/Kong with even Circle Pungs/Kongs and pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example White Elephant hand: a Pung of White Dragons, Pungs of 2, 4 and 6 Circles, and a pair of 8 Circles.

Driven Snow

White Dragon Pung with odd Character Pungs/Kongs and pair.

What it looks like

White Dragon Pung with odd-rank Character Pungs/Kongs and pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Driven Snow hand: a Pung of White Dragons, Pungs of 1, 3 and 5 Characters, and a pair of 7 Characters.

Dragon's Scales

Red Dragon Pung with even Character Pungs/Kongs and pair.

What it looks like

Red Dragon Pung with even-rank Character Pungs/Kongs and pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Dragon's Scales hand: a Pung of Red Dragons, Pungs of 2, 4 and 6 Characters, and a pair of 8 Characters.

Lily of the Valley

Green and White Dragon Pungs/Kongs with green Bamboo Pungs/Kongs and pair.

What it looks like

Green and White Dragon Pungs/Kongs with green Bamboo Pungs/Kongs and a green Bamboo pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Lily of the Valley hand: Pungs of Green and White Dragons, Pungs of 2 and 4 Bamboo, and a pair of 6 Bamboo.

Red Waratah

Red Dragon Pung, one Pung in each suit with the Bamboo rank from the red Bamboo set, and a Green Dragon pair.

What it looks like

Red Dragon plus Bamboo, Circle and Character Pungs, with a Green Dragon pair; the Bamboo Pung uses a red Bamboo rank.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Red Waratah hand: Pungs of Red Dragons, 1 Bamboo, 4 Circles and 6 Characters, plus a pair of Green Dragons.

Royal Ruby

Red Dragon Pung/Kong with red Bamboo-rank Pungs/Kongs and pair; red Bamboo ranks are 1,5,7,9.

What it looks like

Red Dragon Pung/Kong with red Bamboo Pungs/Kongs and a red Bamboo pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Royal Ruby hand: a Pung of Red Dragons, Pungs of 1, 5 and 7 Bamboo, and a pair of 9 Bamboo.

Red Lily

Red and White Dragon Pungs/Kongs with red Bamboo Pungs/Kongs and pair.

What it looks like

Red and White Dragon Pungs/Kongs with red Bamboo Pungs/Kongs and pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Red Lily hand: Pungs of Red and White Dragons, Pungs of 1 and 5 Bamboo, and a pair of 7 Bamboo.

Ruby Jade

Red and Green Dragon Pungs or Kongs, Bamboo Pungs or Kongs, and a pair. These rules do not restrict which Bamboo ranks go with each Dragon.

What it looks like

Red and Green Dragon Pungs/Kongs with Bamboo Pungs/Kongs and pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Ruby Jade hand: Pungs of Red and Green Dragons, Pungs of 2 and 7 Bamboo, and a pair of 5 Bamboo.

Lillypilly

Green Dragon Pung, White Dragon pair, and three Circle Pungs/Kongs.

What it looks like

Green Dragon Pung, White Dragon pair, and three Circle Pungs/Kongs.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Lillypilly hand: a Pung of Green Dragons, a pair of White Dragons, and Pungs of 2, 4 and 6 Circles.

Scores under other rules

White ElephantWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

A White Dragon Pung/Kong with even Circle Pungs/Kongs and pair.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Exposed sets are allowed under these rules.

What it looks like

White Dragon Pung/Kong with even Circle Pungs/Kongs and pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example White Elephant hand: a Pung of White Dragons, Pungs of 2, 4 and 6 Circles, and a pair of 8 Circles.

Score this hand →
Driven SnowWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

A White Dragon Pung with odd Character Pungs/Kongs and pair.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Exposed sets are allowed under these rules.

What it looks like

White Dragon Pung with odd-rank Character Pungs/Kongs and pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Driven Snow hand: a Pung of White Dragons, Pungs of 1, 3 and 5 Characters, and a pair of 7 Characters.

Score this hand →
Dragon's ScalesWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

A Red Dragon Pung with even Character Pungs/Kongs and pair.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Exposed sets are allowed under these rules.

What it looks like

Red Dragon Pung with even-rank Character Pungs/Kongs and pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Dragon's Scales hand: a Pung of Red Dragons, Pungs of 2, 4 and 6 Characters, and a pair of 8 Characters.

Score this hand →
Lily of the ValleyWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 2,000 winner · 800 fishing

Green and White Dragon Pungs/Kongs with green Bamboo Pungs/Kongs and pair.

Fixed · 2,000 winner · 800 fishing

Exposed sets are allowed under these rules.

What it looks like

Green and White Dragon Pungs/Kongs with green Bamboo Pungs/Kongs and a green Bamboo pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Lily of the Valley hand: Pungs of Green and White Dragons, Pungs of 2 and 4 Bamboo, and a pair of 6 Bamboo.

Score this hand →
Red WaratahWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Red Dragon, red Bamboo, Circle and Character Pungs with a Green Dragon pair.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Exposed sets are allowed under these rules.

What it looks like

Red Dragon plus Bamboo, Circle and Character Pungs, with a Green Dragon pair; the Bamboo Pung uses a red Bamboo rank.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Red Waratah hand: Pungs of Red Dragons, 1 Bamboo, 4 Circles and 6 Characters, plus a pair of Green Dragons.

Score this hand →
Royal RubyWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 2,000 winner · 800 fishing

A Red Dragon Pung/Kong with red Bamboo Pungs/Kongs and pair.

Fixed · 2,000 winner · 800 fishing

Exposed sets are allowed under these rules.

What it looks like

Red Dragon Pung/Kong with red Bamboo Pungs/Kongs and a red Bamboo pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Royal Ruby hand: a Pung of Red Dragons, Pungs of 1, 5 and 7 Bamboo, and a pair of 9 Bamboo.

Score this hand →
Red LilyWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 2,000 winner · 800 fishing

Red and White Dragon Pungs/Kongs with red Bamboo Pungs/Kongs and pair.

Fixed · 2,000 winner · 800 fishing

Exposed sets are allowed under these rules.

What it looks like

Red and White Dragon Pungs/Kongs with red Bamboo Pungs/Kongs and pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Red Lily hand: Pungs of Red and White Dragons, Pungs of 1 and 5 Bamboo, and a pair of 7 Bamboo.

Score this hand →
Ruby JadeWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Red and Green Dragon Pungs/Kongs with Bamboo Pungs/Kongs and pair.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Exposed sets are allowed under these rules.

What it looks like

Red and Green Dragon Pungs/Kongs with Bamboo Pungs/Kongs and pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Ruby Jade hand: Pungs of Red and Green Dragons, Pungs of 2 and 7 Bamboo, and a pair of 5 Bamboo.

Score this hand →
LillypillyWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Green Dragon Pung, White Dragon pair, and three Circle Pungs/Kongs.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

With exposed sets: 500 winner · 200 fishing.

What it looks like

Green Dragon Pung, White Dragon pair, and three Circle Pungs/Kongs.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Lillypilly hand: a Pung of Green Dragons, a pair of White Dragons, and Pungs of 2, 4 and 6 Circles.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Wind-pair three-suit Pung/Kong hands

Related hands

Three suited Pungs or Kongs plus all four Winds, with one Wind paired. The named hands fix or free the suited ranks.

All three hands make one Pung or Kong in each suit, then use all four Winds with one Wind paired. Windvane allows different suited numbers; Three Sisters uses 3s; Seven Brothers uses 7s.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingExposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowed
Example variant: Windvane

A Pung/Kong in each suit, plus all four Winds with one Wind paired.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Windvane hand: Pungs of 2 Bamboo, 4 Circles and 6 Characters, plus East, South, West and North Winds with East duplicated as the pair.

  • Hybrid Layout
  • Multiple Suits
  • Winds
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
Learn more about Wind-pair three-suit Pung/Kong hands

What it means

Windvane allows independent suited meld ranks; Three Sisters fixes all three melds to rank 3; Seven Brothers fixes them to rank 7.

Why it is special

The suited ranks distinguish these three hands.

Related variants

Windvane

One Pung/Kong in each suit plus all four Winds with one Wind paired.

What it looks like

A Pung/Kong in each suit, plus all four Winds with one Wind paired.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Windvane hand: Pungs of 2 Bamboo, 4 Circles and 6 Characters, plus East, South, West and North Winds with East duplicated as the pair.

Three Sisters

A Pung/Kong of 3s in each suit plus all four Winds with one paired.

What it looks like

Pungs/Kongs of 3s in all three suits, plus all four Winds with one Wind paired.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Three Sisters hand: Pungs of 3 Bamboo, 3 Circles and 3 Characters, plus all four Winds with South Wind duplicated as the pair.

Seven Brothers

A Pung/Kong of 7s in each suit plus all four Winds with one paired.

What it looks like

Pungs/Kongs of 7s in all three suits, plus all four Winds with one Wind paired.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Seven Brothers hand: Pungs of 7 Bamboo, 7 Circles and 7 Characters, plus all four Winds with West Wind duplicated as the pair.

Related hands

Scores under other rules

Three SistersWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

A Pung/Kong of 3s in each suit, with a Wind pair and the other Winds single.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

With exposed sets: 500 winner · 200 fishing.

What it looks like

Pungs/Kongs of 3s in all three suits, plus all four Winds with one Wind paired.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Three Sisters hand: Pungs of 3 Bamboo, 3 Circles and 3 Characters, plus all four Winds with South Wind duplicated as the pair.

Seven BrothersWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

A Pung/Kong of 7s in each suit, with a Wind pair and the other Winds single.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

With exposed sets: 500 winner · 200 fishing.

What it looks like

Pungs/Kongs of 7s in all three suits, plus all four Winds with one Wind paired.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Seven Brothers hand: Pungs of 7 Bamboo, 7 Circles and 7 Characters, plus all four Winds with West Wind duplicated as the pair.

Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Dragon's Teeth

Special hand

Red and White Dragon Pungs plus a seven-tile 1-7 or 2-8 run in Characters or Circles, with one run tile paired.

Make Red and White Dragon Pungs. Add a seven-tile 1-7 or 2-8 run in Characters or Circles, with one run tile duplicated as the pair.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingExposed sets are allowed under these rulesScore this hand →
What it looks like

Red and White Dragon Pungs plus a seven-tile Character or Circle run with one run rank duplicated.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Dragon's Teeth hand: Pungs of Red and White Dragons, Characters 1 through 7, and a second 4 Characters.

  • Hybrid Layout
  • Dragons
  • One Suit
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
Learn more about Dragon's Teeth

What it means

The suited section contains every rank in a seven-tile run plus one duplicate to make its pair; the two represented Dragon groups are specifically Red and White Pungs.

Why it is special

It joins two Dragon Pungs to a run with one tile paired.

Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Little Brother

Special hand

Four Chows spanning all three suits plus a pair of the player's own Wind.

Make four Chows using all three suits, then pair your seat Wind.

500 winner · 200 fishingScore this hand →
What it looks like

Four Chows spanning all three suits, plus a pair of the player's own Wind.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Pair · two tiles

Example Little Brother for an East-seat player: two Bamboo Chows, one Circles Chow, one Characters Chow, and a pair of East Winds.

  • Ordinary Grouped
  • Multiple Suits
  • Chow Involving
  • Winds
  • Pairs
Learn more about Little Brother

What it means

All three suits must appear among the Chows, and player context determines whether the Wind pair qualifies.

Why it is special

Your seat Wind must make the pair.

Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Gertie's Garter

Special hand

Take 1 to 7 in exactly two suits. Every tile is a single; there are no normal sets or pair.

Use 1 to 7 once in each of exactly two suits.

1,000 winner · 400 fishingExposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowedScore this hand →
What it looks like

One copy of every rank 1-7 in each of exactly two suits.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Gertie's Garter hand: 1 through 7 Bamboo and 1 through 7 Circles.

  • Irregular Hand
  • Multiple Suits
Learn more about Gertie's Garter

What it means

There are no normal melds or pair; each chosen suit contributes the seven single tiles 1 through 7.

Why it is special

The hand is two matching runs of single tiles, with no sets or pair.

Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Numbers Doubled

Special hand

Two non-terminal ranks repeated as Pungs/Kongs in each of two suits, plus an honour pair.

Choose two non-terminal numbers and two suits. Make each number as a Pung or Kong in both suits, then add an honour pair.

1,500 winner · 600 fishingExposed sets are allowed under these rulesScore this hand →
What it looks like

Two non-terminal ranks repeated as Pungs/Kongs in each of two suits, plus an honour pair.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Numbers Doubled hand: Pungs of 3 and 5 Bamboo, Pungs of 3 and 5 Circles, and a pair of East Winds.

  • Ordinary Grouped
  • Multiple Suits
  • Parallel Ranks
  • Honours
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
Learn more about Numbers Doubled

What it means

Choose two non-terminal ranks and two suits; each rank appears as a Pung/Kong in both suits, giving four melds, then add an honour pair.

Why it is special

The two numbers repeat across both suits.

Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Civil War

Special hand

North and South Wind Pungs or Kongs, plus 1-8-6-1 in one suit and 1-8-6-5 in another.

Make North and South Wind Pungs or Kongs. Add 1-8-6-1 in one suit and 1-8-6-5 in another.

1,500 winner · 600 fishingExposed sets are allowed under these rules
What it looks like

North and South Pungs/Kongs plus the loose 1861 and 1865 patterns in two different suits.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Loose example segment 1
Loose example segment 2

Example Civil War hand: Pungs of North and South Winds, loose Bamboo tiles 1, 8, 6, 1, and loose Circles tiles 1, 8, 6, 5.

  • Hybrid Layout
  • Multiple Suits
  • Winds
  • Pungs Kongs
Learn more about Civil War

What it means

The grouped part is North and South; the remaining eight tiles form 1-8-6-1 in one suit and 1-8-6-5 in another.

Why it is special

The hand uses these exact number patterns.

Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Red Lantern

Special hand

A 1-7 run with one run tile paired, plus Red Dragon and own-Wind Pungs/Kongs.

Take 1 to 7 in one suit with one run tile duplicated. Add a Red Dragon Pung or Kong and a Pung or Kong of your seat Wind.

2,000 winner · 800 fishingWith exposed sets: 1,000 winner · 400 fishingScore this hand →
What it looks like

A 1-7 run with one run tile paired, plus Red Dragon and own-Wind Pungs/Kongs.

Pung · three tiles
Pung · three tiles
Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example Red Lantern for an East-seat player: Circles 1 through 7 with a second 5 Circles, a Pung of Red Dragons, and a Pung of East Winds.

  • Hybrid Layout
  • One Suit
  • Winds
  • Dragons
  • Pungs Kongs
  • Pairs
Learn more about Red Lantern

What it means

Player context matters: the Wind meld must be the player's own Wind, while the suited loose section contains 1 through 7 and one duplicate.

Why it is special

The run-and-pair pattern combines a Red Dragon set with your seat Wind set.

Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Mixed Chow hands

Related hands

Four Western hands use Mixed Chows: three consecutive numbers, one tile from each suit.

A Mixed Chow has one Bamboo, one Circle and one Character tile whose numbers run in order, such as 1 Bamboo, 2 Circles, 3 Characters.

1,000 winner · 400 fishing
Example variant: Three Philosophers

One ordinary Chow in each suit, one Mixed Chow, and a suited pair.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Pair · two tiles
Loose example segment 1

Example Three Philosophers hand: one ordinary Chow in each suit, a Mixed Chow formed by 2 Bamboo, 3 Characters and 4 Circles, and a pair of 5 Bamboo.

  • Multiple Suits
  • Mixed Chow
  • Pairs
Learn more about Mixed Chow hands

What it means

The four named hands differ in how many Mixed Chows they use and what other tiles complete the hand.

Why it is special

Mixed Chows do not follow the normal same-suit Chow rule.

Related variants

Three Philosophers

One ordinary Chow in each suit, one Mixed Chow and a suited pair.

What it looks like

One ordinary Chow in each suit, one Mixed Chow, and a suited pair.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Pair · two tiles
Loose example segment 1

Example Three Philosophers hand: one ordinary Chow in each suit, a Mixed Chow formed by 2 Bamboo, 3 Characters and 4 Circles, and a pair of 5 Bamboo.

Crazy Chows

Four Mixed Chows plus a Mixed Pair.

What it looks like

Four Mixed Chows plus a Mixed Pair.

Example Crazy Chows hand: four three-suit consecutive Mixed Chows and a Mixed Pair of 9 Bamboo and 9 Circles.

Apple Blossom

Concealed White Dragon Pung/Kong, Green Dragon pair and three Mixed Chows.

What it looks like

A concealed White Dragon Pung/Kong, Green Dragon pair and three Mixed Chows.

Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Apple Blossom hand: a concealed Pung of White Dragons, a pair of Green Dragons, and three Mixed Chows using one tile from each suit in consecutive ranks.

The Professors

Three Mixed Chows, one of each Dragon and the player's own-Wind pair.

What it looks like

Three Mixed Chows, one of each Dragon, and a pair of your own Wind.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example The Professors for an East-seat player: three Mixed Chows, single Red, Green and White Dragons, and a pair of East Winds.

Scores under other rules

Crazy ChowsWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 500 winner · 200 fishing

Four Mixed Chows and a Mixed Pair.

Fixed · 500 winner · 200 fishing

What it looks like

Four Mixed Chows plus a Mixed Pair.

Example Crazy Chows hand: four three-suit consecutive Mixed Chows and a Mixed Pair of 9 Bamboo and 9 Circles.

Apple BlossomWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

A concealed White Dragon Pung/Kong, Green Dragon pair, and three Mixed Chows.

Fixed · 1,000 winner · 400 fishing

Exposed Pung/Kong sets are not allowed.

What it looks like

A concealed White Dragon Pung/Kong, Green Dragon pair and three Mixed Chows.

Pung · three tiles
Pair · two tiles

Example Apple Blossom hand: a concealed Pung of White Dragons, a pair of Green Dragons, and three Mixed Chows using one tile from each suit in consecutive ranks.

The ProfessorsWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 500 winner · 200 fishing

Three Mixed Chows, one of each Dragon, and the player’s own-Wind pair.

Fixed · 500 winner · 200 fishing

What it looks like

Three Mixed Chows, one of each Dragon, and a pair of your own Wind.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Example The Professors for an East-seat player: three Mixed Chows, single Red, Green and White Dragons, and a pair of East Winds.

Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Chow Chow

Special hand

Four concealed Chows and a pair in one suit, won from the wall.

All four sets are concealed Chows in one suit.

500 winner · 200 fishingWinning method: wall or last-wall-tileScore this hand →
What it looks like

Four concealed Chows and a pair in one suit, with the winning tile drawn from the wall.

Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Chow · three in a row
Pair · two tiles

Example Chow Chow hand: four concealed Bamboo Chows and a Bamboo pair, completed by a wall draw.

  • Ordinary Grouped
  • One Suit
  • Chow Involving
  • Pairs
Learn more about Chow Chow

What it means

The hand must stay concealed and the winning tile must come from the wall under this rule.

Why it is special

Both the all-Chow shape and how the winning tile is drawn matter.

Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references

Up You Go / Down You Go

Related hands

All four Winds plus 2, 4, 6 and 8 in one suit, with the tile counts rising or falling.

Up You Go uses 2, 44, 666, 8888. Down You Go reverses it: 2222, 444, 66, 8. Both also use one of each Wind.

2,000 winner · 800 fishingScore this hand →
Example variant: Up You Go

All four Winds plus 2, 44, 666 and 8888 in one suit.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Up You Go hand: East, South, West and North Winds plus one 2 Circles, two 4 Circles, three 6 Circles and four 8 Circles.

  • Irregular Hand
  • One Suit
  • Winds
Learn more about Up You Go / Down You Go

What it means

Up You Go increases the count as the even rank rises: 2, 44, 666, 8888. Down You Go reverses it: 2222, 444, 66, 8. Both also contain one of each Wind.

Why it is special

The two hands are mirror images, so learning them together is easier.

Related variants

Up You Go

ESWN plus one 2, two 4s, three 6s and four 8s in one suit.

What it looks like

All four Winds plus 2, 44, 666 and 8888 in one suit.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Up You Go hand: East, South, West and North Winds plus one 2 Circles, two 4 Circles, three 6 Circles and four 8 Circles.

Down You Go

ESWN plus four 2s, three 4s, two 6s and one 8 in one suit.

What it looks like

All four Winds plus 2222, 444, 66 and 8 in one suit.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Down You Go hand: East, South, West and North Winds plus four 2 Circles, three 4 Circles, two 6 Circles and one 8 Circles.

Scores under other rules

Down You GoWestern — T&M · 1997 · 0.1 · Fixed · 2,000 winner · 800 fishing

Four Winds with 2222, 444, 66 and 8 in one suit.

Fixed · 2,000 winner · 800 fishing

What it looks like

All four Winds plus 2222, 444, 66 and 8 in one suit.

Loose tiles · no meld boundary

Down You Go hand: East, South, West and North Winds plus four 2 Circles, three 4 Circles, two 6 Circles and one 8 Circles.

Score this hand →
Sources
  • Western — Thompson & Maloney — Thompson & Maloney Western references
British scoring note

Purity

One numbered suit only, using Pungs and/or Kongs plus a pair. No Winds, Dragons or Chow. In BMJA scoring, Purity is calculated as three doubles.

Other rules may score Purity differently. Choose a rules version above to see how it works.