Objective

The primary objective of Mah-Jong is simple - win hands! Players try to complete winning hands by forming four sets and a pair. Each set is either a straight (three consecutive tiles of the same suit) or a triple/quadruple (three or four of the same tile).

While winning a hand is a logical goal, the secondary objective is to prevent others from winning. A player can heavily inhibit the other players from completing their hands, especially the player sitting to the right. Proper defensive play is an essential part of any successful strategy for Mah-Jong.