Other styles
Filipino Mahjong Rules
Quick answer
Filipino mahjong is played with the standard 144-tile set. Each player holds 16 tiles, and the dealer starts with 17. You win with 17 tiles: 5 sets and a pair. Flowers are bonus tiles that you set aside right away. Winds and dragons usually count as flowers too, but house rules vary.
At a glance
- Tiles: 144, the standard set
- Your hand: 16 tiles
- The dealer starts with: 17 tiles
- To win: 17 tiles, made of 5 sets and a pair
- Bonus tiles: flowers, and usually winds and dragons
What is Filipino mahjong?
Filipino mahjong is a style with bigger hands. You hold 16 tiles, not 13 like in Chinese mahjong. So you need one more set to win.
It uses the same 144 tiles as Chinese mahjong. Here is how the two compare:
| Rule | Chinese | Filipino |
|---|---|---|
| Tiles in the set | 144 | 144 |
| Tiles in your hand | 13 | 16 |
| Dealer starts with | 14 | 17 |
| Winning hand | 4 sets and a pair | 5 sets and a pair |
| Winds and dragons | Used in sets | Usually bonus tiles |
A set is a group of tiles, such as 3 matching tiles. A pair is 2 matching tiles.
How do you play Filipino mahjong?
You draw and discard tiles until someone has 5 sets and a pair. A discard is a tile you throw away face up.
- Set up. Mix the 144 tiles face down and build the wall.
- Deal. Each player gets 16 tiles. The dealer gets 17.
- Set aside bonus tiles. Lay down any bonus tiles right away. Draw a new tile for each one.
- The dealer starts. The dealer has 17 tiles, so the dealer goes first by discarding one.
- Take turns. On your turn, take a tile and then discard one. Turns go to the right.
- Win. When your 17 tiles make 5 sets and a pair, you win.
How do bonus tiles work in Filipino mahjong?
Bonus tiles are not part of your sets. When you draw one, lay it down right away and draw a new tile.
- Flowers: the 4 flowers and 4 seasons are bonus tiles.
- Winds and dragons: these are usually treated as flowers too, but house rules vary.
When winds and dragons count as flowers, you build your hand only from the 3 suits: dots, bams and craks.
Tip: Ask your group how they treat winds and dragons before you start.
Learn more about mahjong flower tiles, or compare all the types of mahjong.
Ready to play Filipino mahjong?
Our Chinese sets have all 144 tiles you need for Filipino mahjong.
Questions people ask
How are kongs paid in Filipino mahjong?
A kong is 4 matching tiles. In many games, you get paid for a kong as soon as you lay it down.
Are there special hands in Filipino mahjong?
Some groups allow special hands. One example is seven pairs plus one set, which makes 17 tiles.
Is Filipino mahjong the same as Taiwanese mahjong?
No, they are separate styles. But both use 144 tiles and 16-tile hands, and in both you win with 17 tiles.