Sichuan style mahjong, also known as "Sichuan mahjong" or "Chengdu mahjong," is a popular variant of the traditional Chinese tile-based game, mahjong. It is particularly prevalent in the Sichuan province of China, including its capital, Chengdu. This style of mahjong has some unique rules and features that distinguish it from other regional variants.
Key Features of Sichuan Style Mahjong:
1. **Simplified Rules**: Sichuan mahjong is known for its relatively simple and straightforward rules compared to other mahjong variants. This makes it more accessible to beginners.
2. **Fewer Tiles**: A standard Sichuan mahjong set uses only 108 tiles, which are divided into three suits: Bamboo, Characters, and Dots. There are no honor tiles (like Winds and Dragons) or flower tiles, which are commonly found in other mahjong variants.
3. **No Chows**: In Sichuan mahjong, the "Chow" (a sequence of three consecutive tiles in the same suit) is not allowed. Players can only form "Pungs" (three of a kind) or "Kongs" (four of a kind).
4. **Bloody Rules (Xue Zhan)**: One of the most distinctive features of Sichuan mahjong is the "Xue Zhan" or "Bloody Battle" rule. In this rule, once a player declares "Hu" (winning), the game does not end immediately. Instead, the other players continue to play until only one player is left without a winning hand. This can lead to multiple players winning in a single round.
5. **Settling Scores**: The scoring system in Sichuan mahjong is relatively simple. The winner of the round scores points based on the specific combination of tiles they have, and the other players lose points accordingly.
6. **Fast-Paced Gameplay**: Due to the simplified rules and fewer tiles, Sichuan mahjong games tend to be faster-paced compared to other mahjong variants.
7. **Popular in Sichuan**: This style of mahjong is deeply ingrained in the local culture of Sichuan and is a common social activity among friends and family.
Basic Gameplay:
1. **Dealing Tiles**: Each player starts with 13 tiles, and the goal is to form a complete hand of 14 tiles by drawing and discarding tiles.
2. **Drawing and Discarding**: Players take turns drawing a tile from the wall or picking up a discarded tile from another player to form Pungs or Kongs.
3. **Winning the Game**: A player wins by forming a complete hand, which typically consists of four sets of three tiles (Pungs or Kongs) and a pair. The winning hand is called "Hu."
4. **Continuing the Game**: If the "Xue Zhan" rule is in effect, the game continues even after a player declares "Hu," allowing other players to also win or lose points.
Sichuan style mahjong is a fun and engaging game that emphasizes strategy, luck, and social interaction. Its unique rules and fast-paced nature make it a favorite among mahjong enthusiasts in the Sichuan region.
