Mahjong is a game that originated in China, commonly played by four players (with some three-player variations found in Korea and Japan). The four player table version should not be confused with the popular western single player (tile matching) computer game (Mahjong solitaire) which is a recent invention and completely different from the table game. Mahjong is a game of skill, strategy and calculation and involves a certain degree of chance. In Asia, mahjong is also popularly played as a gambling game (though it may just as easily be played recreationally).
The game is played with a set of 136 tiles based on Chinese characters and symbols, although some regional variations use a different number of tiles. In most variations, each player begins by receiving thirteen tiles. In turn players draw and discard tiles until they complete a legal hand using the fourteenth drawn tile to form four groups (melds) and a pair (head). There are fairly standard rules about how a piece is drawn, stolen from another player (melded), the use of basic (numbered tiles) and honours (winds and dragons), the kinds of melds, and the order of dealing and play. However there are many regional variations in the rules; in addition, the scoring system, the minimum hand necessary to win varies significantly based on the local rules being used.
Step 1: From the Main Screen select the "Play" option.
Step 2: The objective of the game is to clear the board by matching identical pairs Unlike the standard MahJong Solitaire, you can match two pieces together only in the following cases: 1. The tiles are adjust to each other 2. you can draw a straight line between them (e.g. no other tiles between). 3. You can draw a path of two or three straight lines between them
Here are few examples of valid matches:
Your time is limited, when the time runs out, the game will end. Once you match two tiles together, you will get a bonus of few more seconds.
The bottom panel gives you some information and tools :
Panel (1) shows the current difficulty level, when you'll clear the board, you will advance one level. Panel (2) shows the remaining time, once the time is over, the game will end. Button (3) sends you back to the main menu. Button (4) Pauses the game. Button (5) Gives you a hint about the next pair you can match, note that the number of hints is limited So use them only when you're out of ideas and running out of time.
Step 3: That's it! you're ready to play, Take a few minutes to experience with the game, it might be a little hard to understand at first glance, but once you got the idea, it is really addictive.
