The Mahjong Chow Rules
Introduction
In Mahjong, an important move you can make is called “Chow.” So, what does that mean? If your left hand side player at the table discards a tile, and you have two tiles in your hand that can form a sequence, you can declare a “Chow.”
When you declare a Chow, you take the discarded tile and combine it with the two tiles in your hand to form a sequence. You then lay down all three tiles face up on the table, showing everyone that you have completed a set. After that, you’ll need to discard one of your less important tiles to finish the process.
In some Mahjong game rules, only Pong and Kong are allowed, like Chinese Guangdong Mahjong Rules.
Definition
“Chow” is a Mahjong term for when a player has two tiles that can form a sequence and the player to their left discards a tile that completes it.
Claiming a Chow
If the player from your left discards a tile that matches two sequence tiles in your hand, you can declare a Chow. To do this, you must immediately reveal the three tiles (the two in your hand and the discarded tile) and place them face up on the table. Afterward, you should discard one tile to maintain a total of 13 tiles in your hand.
Tiles in your hand
When your left hand side player discard a 1 Character, you just say “Pong”, take it to your side, and discard a tile what you don’t need.
The Dot 8 discarded by your left hand side player
Say it, Chow!
Take this Dot 8 and put all three tiles face up on the table beside you
Remember, after declare a Chow, just like Pong, you should discard a tile, it’s different with declare a Kong, which declare a Kong need to draw another tile to refill but not Pong. Otherwise, you won’t be able to have a chance to win, because you have an extra tile more to match the rule 4 sets and 1 pair.
Discard this East Wind as if you don’t need
After claim a Chow, the tiles in your hand
And the tiles faced up on table beside you
Finally
So, you just learned how to make a Chow in Mahjong. Here’s some related rules, maybe you also want to check:
Happy playing!