How scoring works
In American Mahjong only the winner scores, and the three other players pay. What they pay depends on the hand's value and how the game was won.
The value
Every hand on the card shows its value, for example 25 points. Harder hands are worth more.
Who pays
| How the game was won | Payments |
|---|---|
| Off a discard | The player who threw the winning tile pays double; the other two pay the value. |
| Self-pick (the winner drew the tile) | All three pay double. |
| No jokers in the winning hand | Every payment doubles again, except for singles and pairs hands. |
Worked example
A hand worth 25, won off North's discard: North pays 50, the other two pay 25 each, 100 in all.
The same hand, self-picked: all three pay 50, 150 in all.
Won off North's discard with no jokers: North pays 100, the other two 50 each.
Wall games and dead hands
If the wall runs out and nobody wins, it is a wall game: nobody pays. The last discard may be called only to win, never for a group.
A hand is dead when it can no longer win, for example when an exposure fits no hand on the card. Only another player can call a hand dead; a wrong call costs the caller. A dead hand sits out the rest of the game but still pays the winner.
Tilesday's result screen shows each payment and why, and lesson 14 practices every case. Scores are points; no money is involved.
Tilesday plays with its own original card of hands. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the National Mah Jongg League or any card publisher.