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WEEKLY MAHJONG

By Tom Sloper (湯姆 斯洛珀)
May 11, The Year Of The Rat
Column #363

Mahjong Competition Rules. This past week a new analysis of MCR was announced on MahjongNews. Sweden's Per Starbäck posted his "Beyond the Green Book," and it's very worthwhile reading.

In this column, I just want to highlight a couple of things brought out by Per's article. Firstly, he makes a convincing argument that the "combine-once principle" applies only to fan consisting of two or three chows. That's a criterion that I'd included in my original definition of the combine-once principle (I called it the "exclusionary rule" then), made with help from Ryan Morris, the translator of the OIRB. I'd removed the criterion after taking into consideration the wording of the Green Book, and I'm seriously contemplating putting it back into FAQ 22, as well as future editions of The Red Dragon & The West Wind.

Another important highlight of Per's article is the analysis of the problem of how to score hands containing multiple pungs and kongs, in all the numerous possible concealed/melded configurations. Denmark's Tina Christensen points out that there is some room for discussion there, especially in regards to these four cases:

  • CK CK CK MK = 114 points (Four Kongs, Three Concealed Pungs, Two Concealed Kongs, Concealed Kong)
  • CK CK CK CK = 168 points (Four Kongs, Four Concealed Pungs, Two Concealed Kongs X2)
  • CK CK CK = 58 points (Three Kongs, Three Concealed Pungs, Two Concealed Kongs, Concealed Kong)
  • CK CK CK CP = 106 points (Three Kongs, Four Concealed Pungs, Two Concealed Kongs, Concealed Kong)

    Per contends that when there are three concealed kongs, the player may claim both Two Concealed Kongs and Concealed Kong (in addition to Three Concealed Pungs). I'm in Tina's camp on this one, but we all agree that the WMO needs to set the record straight in this regard.

    Accordingly, I've made some adjustments to the MCR Errata, which can be downloaded on my site.

    Addendum, May 20, 2008 - Per Starbäck has posted a revised edition after receiving commentary on MahjongNews. The links herein have all been updated accordingly.

    麻雀

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    © 2008 Tom Sloper. All rights reserved.