Characters
There are 4 sets of 9 tiles numbered 1 to 9 and show the Chinese symbol for the numbers 10,000 to 90,000. The One and Nine of Characters are major tiles. The Two to Eight of Characters are minor tiles.
Circles
There are 4 sets of 9 tiles numbered 1 to 9. The tiles show the appropriate number of circles.
The One and Nine of Circles are major tiles. The Two to Eight of Circles are minor tiles.
Bamboos
There are 4 sets of 9 tiles numbered 1 to 9. The tiles show the appropriate number of bamboos, except for the One of Bamboos which often shows a picture of a bird (usually a sparrow or rice-bird).
The One and Nine of Bamboos are major tiles. The Two to Eight of Bamboos are minor tiles.
A Mah-Jong set has 144 tiles (traditionally made from ivory or bone, dove-tailed into bamboo).
These can be divided into sets of Characters, Circles, Bamboos, Dragons, Winds, Flowers and Seasons. Characters, Circles and Bamboos are known as “suits”. Often there also 4 spare, blank tiles and sometimes another 4 joker tiles.
Tiles can be classified into “Major” and “Minor” tiles. Major tiles are worth more than minor tiles.
Suit tiles have both types. Dragons and winds are major tiles, but are also known as “Honour” tiles as they are able to increase your score further by doubling. Flowers and Seasons are bonus tiles.
The Tiles
Characters
Circles
Bamboos
The appropriate Arabic numeral is also marked on the tile.
It’s typical of sets made for export to the West.
Note
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