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Game Mahjong APK: A Guide to the Best Mahjong Games for Android
If you are looking for a fun, relaxing, and challenging game to play on your Android device, you might want to try game mahjong apk. Mahjong is a classic tile-matching game that originated in China and has become popular all over the world. In this article, we will explain what mahjong is, how to play it, why you should play it on your Android device, how to download and install game mahjong apk, and some of the best mahjong games for Android that you can try. Let's get started!
What is Mahjong and How to Play It?
Mahjong is a game that involves matching pairs of tiles with the same symbols or patterns on them. The tiles are usually arranged in a rectangular layout on a table or a board, and the player has to remove all the tiles from the board by finding and matching the pairs. There are some rules and restrictions on which tiles can be matched, such as only matching tiles that are free (not covered by other tiles or blocked by adjacent tiles) and only matching tiles that belong to the same suit or category.
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The Origin and History of Mahjong
The exact origin of mahjong is not clear, but it is believed that it evolved from a card game called Mǎdiào (马吊) that was played in China during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Mǎdiào used paper cards with symbols similar to those on mahjong tiles, such as circles, bamboos, characters, winds, dragons, flowers, and seasons. Later, these cards were replaced by wooden or bone tiles that were easier to handle and shuffle. The name mahjong (麻将) means "hemp sparrow" in Chinese, which refers to the sound of the tiles when they are shuffled or tapped.
Mahjong became popular in China during the Qing dynasty (1644-1912) and spread to other countries such as Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and the Philippines. In the early 20th century, mahjong was introduced to the West by Chinese immigrants and travelers, especially in the United States. Since then, mahjong has developed many variations and adaptations in different regions and cultures, such as American mahjong, Japanese mahjong, European mahjong, Hong Kong mahjong, Taiwanese mahjong, etc.
The Rules and Objectives of Mahjong
The basic rules and objectives of mahjong are similar across different versions of the game, but there may be some differences in the number of tiles, suits, scoring systems, special hands, etc. Here are some of the common rules and objectives of mahjong:
The game is usually played by four players who sit around a square table or board. Each player has a direction (east, south, west, or north) and a position (dealer or non-dealer).
The game starts with each player drawing 13 tiles from a set of 144 tiles (136 in some versions). The dealer draws one extra tile to start the game.
The tiles are divided into three suits (circles, bamboos, and characters) and two honors (winds and dragons). Each suit has nine numbered tiles from one to nine. Each honor has four identical tiles representing east wind (東), south wind (南), west wind (西), north wind (北), red dragon (中), green dragon (發), and white dragon (白). There are also four optional tiles called flowers (花) and seasons (季) that have different images on them.
The objective of the game is to form a winning hand of 14 tiles, consisting of four sets of three tiles (called melds) and one pair of two tiles (called eyes). A meld can be either a sequence of three consecutive tiles of the same suit (called a chow), or a triplet of three identical tiles of any suit or honor (called a pung), or a quadruplet of four identical tiles of any suit or honor (called a kong). An eye can be any pair of identical tiles, but usually it should be different from the other tiles in the hand.
The game proceeds in turns, with each player drawing one tile from the wall (the remaining tiles that are not dealt) and discarding one tile from their hand. The discarded tile is placed face up in the center of the table or board, forming a discard pile. The player can also declare a meld by taking a discarded tile from another player and revealing the corresponding tiles from their hand. A chow can only be declared by the player who is next to the discarder, while a pung or a kong can be declared by any player. A kong also requires the player to draw an extra tile from the end of the wall (called the dead wall).
The game ends when one player declares a win by forming a complete hand of 14 tiles, or when there are no more tiles left in the wall. The winner scores points based on the value and complexity of their hand, as well as some bonus points for being the dealer, having a concealed hand (no melds declared), having all honors or all suits, having all flowers or all seasons, etc. The loser pays the winner according to the score, and sometimes there are penalties for discarding a tile that allows another player to win.
The Types and Variations of Mahjong
As mentioned earlier, mahjong has many types and variations that differ in some aspects of the rules, tiles, scoring, etc. Here are some of the most common and popular types and variations of mahjong:
Type/Variation
Description
American mahjong
A version of mahjong that is popular in North America. It uses 152 tiles, including eight jokers that can act as wild cards. It also uses a card that lists the valid winning hands for each year, which change annually. The hands are usually categorized into themes such as dragons, winds, flowers, etc.
Japanese mahjong
A version of mahjong that is popular in Japan. It uses 136 tiles, excluding flowers and seasons. It also has some special rules such as riichi (a declaration of ready hand that gives bonus points), dora (a bonus tile that increases the value of the hand), furiten (a restriction on winning with a discarded tile that is already in the discard pile or in the player's own hand), etc.
European mahjong
A version of mahjong that is popular in Europe. It uses 144 tiles, including flowers and seasons. It also follows the rules of the World Mahjong Organization (WMO), which aims to standardize and unify the rules of mahjong across different countries and regions.
Hong Kong mahjong
A version of mahjong that is popular in Hong Kong, Macau, and some parts of Southeast Asia. It uses 136 tiles, excluding flowers and seasons. It also has some simple and fast-paced rules such as fan (a unit of score that determines the value of the hand), faan laak (a minimum requirement of three fan to win), etc.
Taiwanese mahjong
A version of mahjong that is popular in Taiwan and some parts of Southeast Asia. It uses 144 tiles, including flowers and seasons. It also has some unique rules such as ping hu (a bonus for winning with a pure sequence hand), tian hu (a bonus for winning with the first drawn tile), etc.
Why Should You Play Mahjong Games on Your Android Device?
Mahjong games are a great way to enjoy the classic game of mahjong on your Android device. You can play mahjong games anytime and anywhere, without the need for a physical board or tiles. You can also choose from different types and variations of mahjong, such as American, Japanese, European, Hong Kong, Taiwanese, etc. You can also challenge yourself with different levels of difficulty, themes, layouts, and daily challenges. Mahjong games are not only fun and relaxing, but also beneficial for your brain and mental health. Here are some of the reasons why you should play mahjong games on your Android device:
The Benefits of Playing Mahjong Games
Playing mahjong games can help you improve your cognitive skills, such as memory, concentration, attention, logic, problem-solving, and strategy. Mahjong games require you to remember the symbols and patterns on the tiles, find the matching pairs, plan your moves ahead, and use your judgment and intuition. Playing mahjong games can also help you reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Mahjong games can provide you with a sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, and relaxation. Mahjong games can also help you socialize and connect with other players online or offline. You can chat with other players, share your scores and achievements, and join a community of mahjong lovers.
The Features of Mahjong Games for Android
Mahjong games for Android offer you a variety of features that make the game more enjoyable and convenient. Some of these features are:
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