Tips for Edge Pairs, Middle Pairs and Four Consecutive Tile patterns

When you play Mahjong and get this ABBC, ABCD, ABCC patterns, do you always feel confused? Sometimes just want to follow your first intuition or randomly discard a tile you dislike?

Maybe that's why you keep losing at play Mahjong. Let's deep dive into all three patterns, and discuss what this patterns use for.

Which tile should discard first to get more efficiency?

Mahjong tiles 'd6778_c4567,b3455_d22' Mahjong Drawing Board

First, let’s learn three important Mahjong tips:

Now, let’s take a look at these three essential tile types.

What is a Pair?

In this case

Mahjong 2 Dot Mahjong 2 Dot

A pair is simply two identical tiles.

What are Edge Pairs?

In this case

Mahjong 3 Bam Mahjong 4 Bam Mahjong 5 Bam Mahjong 5 Bam

Here, the Mahjong 5 Bam are edge pairs. When you have a sequence tiles set, the two ends can hold a matching single tile. So, if you have a Mahjong 3 Bam or Mahjong 5 Bam , they all match the edge pair.

The main value of edge pairs is that they help you find a pair. For example, if you draw Mahjong 2 Bam or Mahjong 5 Bam , you can make a pair and complete a set Mahjong 2 Bam Mahjong 3 Bam Mahjong 4 Bam Mahjong 5 Bam Mahjong 5 Bam or Mahjong 3 Bam Mahjong 4 Bam Mahjong 5 Bam Mahjong 5 Bam Mahjong 5 Bam . However, these tiles aren’t great for making sets with other tiles.

So, the Edge Pair pattern, it is more chance you can construct a set and a pair tiles.

That's why

If you already have a pair, break the edge pair from the set.

What does "Break Middle Pairs" mean?

In this case

Mahjong 6 Dot Mahjong 7 Dot Mahjong 7 Dot Mahjong 8 Dot

Here, the middle tile Mahjong 7 Dot is the middle pair.

The value of middle pairs lies in their ability to link with other tiles. Don’t think that the Mahjong 7 Dot is just sitting there doing nothing; it’s actually very useful. You shouldn’t just throw it away.

Let’s analyze this hand. You only have 4 set tiles, and you’re missing one. You definitely shouldn’t discard the middle pair. Think of it as having Mahjong 6 Dot Mahjong 7 Dot and Mahjong 7 Dot Mahjong 8 Dot , which are two-sided sets. If you draw Mahjong 5 Dot or Mahjong 8 Dot , you can connect with Mahjong 6 Dot Mahjong 9 Dot or Mahjong 5 Dot Mahjong 8 Dot.

Keeping the Mahjong 7 Dot means you can draw from Mahjong 5 Dot Mahjong 6 Dot Mahjong 8 Dot Mahjong 9 Dot , giving you each 4 tiles total 16 possible tiles to complete a set and create another half set.

So, the Middle Pairs pattern it is great for complete sets but not great for construct a pairs.

That's why

If you don’t have any pair, break the middle pairs from the set.

Keep Four Consecutive Tiles

In this case

Mahjong 4 Character Mahjong 5 Character Mahjong 6 Character Mahjong 7 Character

Whether you’re missing pairs or sets, you should keep those four consecutive tiles. Don’t discard them until you’re ready to declare a win.

Remember, whether you’re missing sets or pairs, these tiles can help you complete a set.

For example, if you’re missing sets:

  • If you draw Mahjong 3 Character , you can form Mahjong 2 Character Mahjong 5 Character Mahjong 8 Character to construct two sets.
  • If you draw Mahjong 8 Character , you can form Mahjong 3 Character Mahjong 6 Character Mahjong 9 Character to construct two sets.
  • If you draw Mahjong 5 Character or Mahjong 6 Character , you can form Mahjong 3 Character Mahjong 6 Character and Mahjong 5 Character Mahjong 8 Character to construct two sets.
  • If you draw Mahjong 4 Character or Mahjong 7 Character , you can form a pair and complete a set.

So, if you find four consecutive tiles, you can complete a set regardless of whether you’re missing pairs or connections.

That's why

If you’re missing pairs or sets, keep the four consecutive tiles.

Conclusion

In this case, the tiles in your hand is already have a pair of Mahjong 2 Dot Mahjong 2 Dot, that's why you should discard the Mahjong 5 Bam.

Also see this Derived Tiles. And you can find more Mahjong strategies here.

That's it. Hope you like this. See you next time.