Tiles and terms
Pung, Kong, Chow and Quint in Mahjong
Quick answer
A pung in mahjong is 3 of the same tile, and a kong is 4. A quint is 5, used in American mahjong. It usually needs a joker, the wild tile. A chow is 3 tiles in a row in one suit, like 3, 4 and 5 bams. Chows are not used in American mahjong.
At a glance
- Pair: 2 of the same tile
- Pung: 3 of the same tile
- Kong: 4 of the same tile
- Quint: 5 of the same tile, in American play
- Chow: 3 in a row in one suit, not used in American play
What is a pung in mahjong?
A pung is 3 of the same tile, like three 5 dots. You build groups like this to make a winning hand.
You can call, or claim, any player's discard to make a pung. A discard is a tile someone throws away.
In American play, a joker, the wild tile, can fill in. Two 5 dots and a joker make a pung of 5 dots.
What is a kong in mahjong?
A kong is 4 of the same tile, like four North winds. Each style treats it a bit differently.
- Chinese styles: After you make a kong, draw an extra tile from the end of the wall. The wall is the stacked tiles you draw from.
- American: A kong can use jokers, just like a pung. Learn the rules in our guide to mahjong jokers.
- Filipino: A kong is paid for as soon as it is laid down.
What is a chow in mahjong?
A chow is 3 tiles in a row in the same suit, like 3, 4 and 5 bams.
Chows are used in Chinese styles, such as Hong Kong mahjong, and in Japanese riichi. American mahjong does not use them.
You can only call a discard for a chow from the player on your left. That is the player who goes just before you. A pung or kong can come from anyone.
Winds and dragons have no numbers. So they can never make a chow.
What is a quint in mahjong?
A quint is 5 of the same tile. It is used in American mahjong.
Most tiles have only 4 copies, so a quint usually needs at least one joker. Flowers are the exception, since a set has 8.
A sextet is 6 of the same tile. It usually needs jokers too. The yearly American card even has a section called Quints.
What is an exposure in mahjong?
An exposure is a group you finish with someone's discard. In American play, you set it face up on top of your rack.
- Spot the tile. Another player discards a tile you need.
- Call it fast. Speak up before the next player takes a tile.
- Show the group. Put the whole group face up on your rack.
- Discard. Throw away one tile and say its name.
In American play, you may call a tile for a pung, kong, quint or sextet. You may not call one for a single tile or a pair, unless it wins the game. For more words like these, see our list of mahjong terms.
Want to practice your pungs and kongs?
Practice pungs, kongs and quints with our American sets, or chows with our Chinese sets.
Questions people ask
What is a pair in mahjong?
A pair is 2 of the same tile. A Chinese winning hand has 4 groups plus 1 pair. In American play, a pair can never use a joker. See mahjong hands.
Who gets the tile if two players call it?
In American play, a call to win the game beats a call for an exposure. If both players want it for the same reason, the player next in turn gets it.
What do X and C mean on the card?
X means exposed: you may call discards to build exposures for that hand. C means concealed: you may not make exposures, and you may only call your last tile to win.