Sometimes a rack gives you two hands worth considering. You count your tiles for each, and they’re close enough that neither feels like the obvious choice.
Here’s another way to look at it!
💡 TILE WISDOM: WHICH HAND HAS THE HARD PARTS?
Along with counting how many tiles fit, take a look at what each hand still needs.
Maybe one possibility already has its required pairs together, while the other is still waiting for those exact tiles. That’s useful information, even if you have the same number of tiles toward both hands.
Try laying out the two possibilities and asking:
“What am I still asking this hand to give me?”
Consider the particular tiles you need, what’s already visible, and which parts of the pattern you’ve actually secured. Having a required pair in place can make a possibility worth another look.
It won’t choose the hand for you every time, but it gives you something concrete to compare when the tile counts are close.
🎯 TRY IT THIS WEEK
The next time you’re deciding between two hands, name what each one is missing before you choose your next pass or discard. See whether that changes which direction you prefer!
🛍️ ON MY TABLE: WILLOW & IN FULL BLOOM
This week’s table pairing is Willow tiles from Oh My Mahjong with the Tuckernuck × Oh My Mahjong In Full Bloom mat.
The soft green tiles against the floral mat make such a pretty combination. I paired them with white-and-clear scalloped Mahj Mood racks. You can shop each piece of the setup below!
I may earn a commission if you shop through my links.
📅 COME JOIN US IN CLASS
If you’d like to work through more decisions together, here’s what’s coming up. All times are Eastern, and each class is live on Zoom with a recording included.
Siamese Strategy with Jillian and me
Wednesday, October 28 · 7 p.m. ET
For players who already know Siamese and want to work on choosing two hands, allocating useful tiles, and reassessing as the game changes.
Join us for Siamese Strategy →
I Know the Rules, Now Help Me Play
Sunday, November 1 · 4 p.m. ET
A slower, guided class for newer players. We’ll practice finding possibilities on the card and deciding what to keep and pass.
Come practice with me →
The Last Wall: Endgame Decisions
New date: Monday, November 2 · 7:30 p.m. ET
We’ll slow down late-game choices, compare discard options, and consider when playing for a wall game makes sense. If you registered for October 26, your registration carries over.
Explore The Last Wall →
🀄 A LITTLE MAHJONG BETWEEN GAMES
Mini Mahj Daily: Come join my free group and try the daily challenge with us! Take a look at the game’s built-in card before you begin. Join my Mini Mahj Daily group →
I Love Mahj: If you’re looking for a way to practice online between game nights, find Lara’s Mahjong Edit on I Love Mahj →
Our Facebook group: Come talk mahjong, bring your questions, and connect with other players. Join our Facebook community →
💙 KEEP LEARNING WITH ME
If you’d like ongoing support for your game, I’d love to have you in the Confidence Club! You’ll find guided monthly challenges, live member sessions and Q&A, plus videos and printable resources to explore at your own pace.
We also play weekly online games on I Love Mahj. A separate paid I Love Mahj subscription is required for those games.
Happy mahj!
Lara