Mahjong for Dummies Cheat Sheet

Mahjong is not one single game but a family of games with a shared ancestry. When someone says, “I know how to play mahjong,” you always have to ask: which kind?

With that in mind, this For Dummies cheat sheet is a bit different from other cheat sheets in our series. Rather than offering just a single cheat sheet, I provide you with 6 — count 'em six! — separate cheat sheets.

Cantonese Mahjong cheat sheet & scoring card

This is a quick reference for Cantonese Mahjong scoring. It lists essential scoring elements with their Fan values, alongside setup and scoring rules. Use it during play to check the Fan value of your hand, confirm bonuses, and calculate payments accurately.

 American Mah Jongg cheat sheet & scoring card

American Mah Jongg uses the NMJL card (or other similar cards), but the play and scoring work the same. This cheat sheet highlights the key rules and shortcuts so you can focus on playing, not flipping pages.

 Riichi Mahjong cheat sheet

This sheet summarizes Riichi Mahjong rules, scoring, and winning hands in a compact format. Keep it nearby during play to quickly check yaku, calculate points, and confirm winning conditions without flipping through full rulebooks.

Taiwanese Mahjong cheat sheet & scoring card

This cheatsheet is a quick guide to scoring and special hands in Taiwanese Mahjong. Keep it by your side during play to track Tai, bonuses, and winning conditions without losing the flow of the game.

Sichuan Blood Battle Mahjong cheat sheet

This cheat sheet is your quick reference for Sichuan Blood Battle Mahjong. Use it to follow setup, special rules, and scoring so you can focus on the speed and excitement of the game.

Malaysian 3-Player Mahjong cheat sheet

This cheat sheet gives you all the essentials of Malaysian 3-Player Mahjong at a glance — from setup and winning hands to scoring and payouts. Keep it by your side to stay on track and focus on the fun.