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Although apparently viewed as a game of pure luck in some circles, in reality MahJong features considerable strategy and over the course of an entire match, Skill will tell over Luck. Skill in the game is enhanced (and Luck diminished), if Flowers and Seasons are omitted and minimum hands are allowed (because it means all players tend to remain in the game, not just the lucky one who happened to draw a minimum hand). How then to win at MahJong?
When you get your tiles, make an immediate evaluation of how many tiles away from victory. That is, how many specific tiles do you need to go out, shortest path?
If 4 or less, expect to be ready in 9 turns - play to win. If 5, what you do depends on your luck - if you have good draws, you could be ready early, if not you should give up. If you need 6 or more, give up and play defensively, hoping for a draw.
Playing mahjong to win - take chances. Discard anything you don\'t need, even lucky tiles. After 6 or 7 tiles, feel free to say \"chow\" or \"pung\".
Playing mahjong not to lose - Discard cautiously. After 4 draws, if you need only 3 tiles or less, go for it. Otherwise, play for a draw.
Playing mahjong for a draw - don\'t be the first to discard a dragon or wind except your own. Don\'t play with doubles. Don\'t claim one for a triplet; the discard means it is now safe to discard. Keep your hand concealed -- don\'t chow or pung.
Discard in the following order - isolated ordinary winds. Worthless to you and probably not useful to opponents, unless they have some already. So, discard very early before they are able to \"pung\". If you are not the dealer, start with East. Then discard the Wind of the player on your left. Then the player opposite you and then the one to your right.
Terminals - If you have 1-6-9 which do you discard first? If you get 2-3, you can use the 1, but if you get 7-8, you won\'t need the 9 because you have the 6. So discard the 9 first. And dispose the shortest suit first.
Dragons - Discard early rather than late to keep opponents from using \"pung\". Keep pairs, but discard isolated ones right after the Winds or not at all.
Special Winds - The prevailing wind is wanted by everyone. Discard this wind early, but keep your own until discarded twice by others. But beware after turn 9 or 10 since someone may be using it as a pair. Your double wind is extremely valuable - keep it until useless.
Simples - 4, 5 and 6 are extremely valuable and should be kept as long as possible. Change mahjongg tactics after turn 10. Be aware of what others are collecting. Winds, terminals and dragons are now very dangerous. Simples are also dangerous.
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