Exploiting the characteristics and secrets of suited Mahjong tiles!

Singapore mahjong consists of 148 tiles. Out of these, 108 tiles are suited. (3 different suit, 9 different number of each suit and 4 repetition of each tile). A majority of the tiles are suited and can be used for CHI.  Therefore, it is important for us to understand the characteristics of these suited tiles in order for us to exploit and WIN mahjong! =)

Here is sharing with you guys 2 secrets of suited Mahjong tiles. By inference and understanding the relationship among the suited tiles, we can bring the game to a higher level!

i. Symmetrical relationship

Note that for any suit, it is symmetric about the middle tile which is the number 5. This means that when we are discussing about 1,2, it is equivalent to discussing about 8,9 as the probability and characteristics  are the same.  Similarly, talking about the relationship between 1 and 3, is the same as the relationship between 7 and 9.

Traditionally, the suit can be split into the ‘Smaller’ half and ‘Larger’ half. When we are discussing about the smaller half from one to five, the same reasoning can be applied to the bigger half from five to nine!

 With the symmetrical relationship in mind, we can move on to the secrets in deducing what the opponent does not need. The following analyses are illustrated using the smaller half. The same analyses can be applied to the larger half as well.

1) Adjacent relationship

It is usually safer to throw adjacent tiles from the tile the opponent discard.

Similar logic can be applied to the bigger half. If opponent discards 8, 9 becomes more useless for him and hence, 9 becomes safer for discard.

2) Multiple of 3 relationship (Plus minus 3 rule)

 As a CHI consists of 3 tiles in sequence, there is a relationship between, 147, 258 and 369. From this relationship, we can infer what the opponent does not want. For 456 tiles, which are capable of adding and subtracting 3 from, this rule applies more strongly. For 123789 tiles, which are capable of only adding or subtracting 3 from, this deduction is less valid.

Similar deduction can be made when opponent throws 3789.

Rule of the thumb is that it is safer to discard a tile 3 number away from the tile the opponent discards!!

Summary

1) It is safer to throw adjacent tiles from the tile the opponent discard. The only exclusion is when 5 is thrown

2)    It is safer to throw tiles 3 numbers away from the tile the opponent discard

Note that these are general rules of thumb that might not apply when in certain rare situation, where the opponent still needs the tile that was deemed safe to discard. These cases are rare and by following these general rules of thumb, you can be confident to delay and disrupt your opponents from winning and build your own VICTORY! =)

This saves you money from discarding tiles for opponents to win too! Haha ^^