Frequently Asked Questions
Is riichi mahjong different than other kinds of mahjong?
Riichi mahjong is the Japanese variant of mahjong, related to but distinct from Chinese mahjong and other regional variants.
Mahjong, the way we play it, generally can be thought of as a rummy-type game, where the idea is to draw and discard tiles to form groups (sequences and triplets) with specific patterns in your hand. It is not the tile matching game you may have played on your computer.
Riichi mahjong is difficult to introduce succinctly, but this zine is a decent place to start, and there are also a growing number of English language introductory resources available online. See our resources page.
Can I play riichi if I only know Hong Kong/Taiwanese/etc. mahjong?
Yes, with some adjustment.
Riichi has different/additional rules that you will have to pick up and incorporate into your play, but the core skills and idea are largely the same. An important caveat applies to American mah-jongg, which is substantially different from the East Asian variants, and if you are an American player it may take extra time to acclimate (but it’s still doable!)
Will UMP only support/offer riichi mahjong?
Riichi mahjong will be the focus of the club, as it is the variant our members have the most experience with. That said, if we end up with enough players for other variants to run tables for them, that would be fine by us!
I’ve only played online (e.g. on Mahjong Soul) or in Yakuza/FFXIV. Will I be able to play in person?
Yes.
Online clients omit or automate some of the setup, rules, and conventions important for IRL play with physical tiles, but we are very used to getting folks who have only played online going with live play and we are patient with players who need time to adjust.
Note: unlike online play, in live play there are no tips and nothing stops you from performing illegal moves, so you may have to be careful at first.
Are there any requirements or fees for joining?
Our riichi club is and will remain free, and we supply the sets, tables, and mats for play. The only thing you need to bring is patience and willingness to learn (riichi mahjong is a game with a relatively steep initial learning curve) and a good attitude!
Does UMP have any rules or policies?
For now, we are not establishing a set of formal rules — just be respectful of everyone and be a good sport. The riichi community is diverse: there is a wide range of skill levels and everyone approaches the game from a different place and engages with it differently, and it is important to be accepting of that. We also request that you treat the club equipment (tile sets, tables) with care. Araiguma Battle, however, does have an established code of conduct.