Building Blocks
The three types of sets
In mahjong, you win by collecting tiles into valid combinations called 'sets'.
There are only THREE types of sets you need to learn:
1. PUNG (碰) — Three identical tiles
2. CHOW (吃) — Three consecutive numbers in the same suit
3. KONG (槓) — Four identical tiles (basically a Pung + 1)
A winning hand needs 4 sets + 1 pair (2 identical tiles).
That's it! Every winning hand follows this pattern.
Let's look at each set type in detail...