1. Start with this rule sheet
Record the format, starting points, return points, uma, oka, tie handling, red fives, open tanyao, atozuke, kiriage mangan, counted yakuman, bankruptcy, dealer continuation, multiple ron, deposits, penalties, and chips. Do not stop at “yes” or “no”; include numbers and conditions.
2. The minimum pre-game checks
At minimum, confirm yonma or sanma, East-only or East–South, starting and return points, uma and oka, red tiles, bankruptcy, agari-yame, tenpai-yame, double ron or atamahane, and whether chips are used.
3. Starting points, return points, uma, and oka
Starting points are the score each player receives. Return points are the settlement baseline. Uma are placement bonuses and penalties; oka is normally the top bonus created by the gap between starting and return points. Write all placement values and verify that the uma total is zero when using a zero-sum format.
4. Tiles, yaku, and limit rules
List the exact number of red five man, pin, and sou tiles. Confirm open tanyao, atozuke, formal tenpai, nagashi mangan, kiriage mangan, counted yakuman, double yakuman, multiple yakuman, and responsibility payments.
5. Round progression and multiple wins
Define bankruptcy at exactly zero or below zero, dealer continuation, honba value, agari-yame, tenpai-yame, double ron, atamahane, triple ron, and how riichi deposits are awarded. These details directly change last-round decisions.
6. Penalties and chips
Specify what counts as chombo, the penalty, and whether the hand is replayed. For chips, record the value per chip, qualifying events such as red tiles, ippatsu, ura-dora or yakuman, whether the hand must be closed, and who pays on ron and tsumo.
7. Extra settings for sanma
For three-player mahjong, also record the tiles used, whether manzu 2–8 are removed, how North is treated, nuki-dora, tsumo loss, whether chi is allowed, sanma scoring, honba, red tiles, and special yaku.
8. Examples from competition rules
M League and Saikouisen use different starting points and placement points. A label such as “M League rules” is not enough if your group changes red tiles, bankruptcy, or end conditions. Record the actual settings and the reference date.
9. Save the rules with the results
Store the rule sheet together with the date, players, final points, game points, chips, and table fees. Results from different formats or settlement rules should not be compared as if they were played under identical conditions.
Checklist
30-second checklist: format; starting and return points; uma and oka; red tiles; open tanyao and atozuke; bankruptcy; agari-yame and tenpai-yame; honba; multiple ron; ties; chips; chombo. For sanma, add tile set, North, tsumo loss, chi, and its scoring method.
Frequently asked questions
Q1. What must be decided before a mahjong game?
Confirm the format, starting and return points, placement settlement, red tiles, end conditions, multiple-win handling, and any chips or penalties.
Q2. What is the difference between uma and oka?
Uma depend on final placement. Oka usually comes from the difference between starting points and return points and is awarded to first place.
Q3. Is “red tiles included” specific enough?
No. Record the suit, number of red tiles, whether they count as dora, and whether they award chips.
Q4. What additional rules does sanma need?
Confirm the tile set, North treatment, nuki-dora, tsumo loss, chi, honba, and the sanma scoring table.
Q5. Is naming a competition rule set enough?
No. Rules may be revised or partly modified, so write the settings actually used.
Summary
- Record starting points and return points separately.
- Write every uma value and the oka.
- For red tiles, chips, bankruptcy, and end conditions, include exact numbers and conditions.
- Sanma requires additional confirmation of North, tsumo loss, the tile set, and scoring.
- Keep the agreed rule sheet with the match results.