The lessons · lesson 3 of 11

Pairs, three of a kind, and more

The groups every hand is made of, where a joker can go, and how a hand adds up to 14.

1. Groups of the same tile

   Every hand on the card is made of groups. Two of the same tile is a pair. Three of the same tile is three of a kind. Players call it a pung. Four of the same tile is four of a kind, called a kong. Five of a kind is called a quint. There are only four of each tile, so a quint always has a joker in it.

   A 23-second video, with captions.

2. Which is three of a kind?

   Three of a kind is three of the same tile.

   Which of these is three of a kind? Yes. Three 6 Bams, the same tile three times.

3. Where a joker can go

   Jokers can be used to make three of a kind or more, but not pairs. This is allowed: two 4 Craks and a joker make three 4 Craks. This is not allowed: a 9 Dot and a joker can never be a pair.

   A 17-second video, with captions.

4. Which one is allowed?

   Jokers can be used to make three of a kind or more, but not pairs.

   Which of these is allowed? Yes. Two North winds and a joker make three North winds.

5. Make five of a kind

   There are only four of each tile, so five of a kind needs a joker. Make five 2 Dots.

   You try it. You build this from a tray of tiles, and a wrong tile tells you why.

6. A hand adds up to 14

   A hand on the card is a few groups that add up to 14 tiles. This one is a pair of flowers, four 3 Dots, four 4 Dots, and four 5 Bams. Two, four, four and four. That makes 14.

   A 17-second video, with captions.

7. Which is a whole hand?

   A hand is always 14 tiles. Count them.

   Which of these is a whole hand? Yes. Two, four, four and four: 14 tiles.