Lesson 5: 3 Simple, Trackable Hand Patterns
This lesson in our Mahjong strategy for beginners series focuses on simple, trackable hand patterns to build early confidence. As a beginner, the hardest part of Mahjong is not the rules—it’s deciding which winning hand to aim for. There are so many possible shapes that it’s easy to freeze or keep changing your mind. In this lesson, we’ll focus on a few simple, trackable patterns you can follow from the first draw to the winning call.
Why Trackable Patterns Matter
When you don’t have a pattern in mind, every draw feels like a brand-new decision. That’s exhausting. A small set of beginner-friendly patterns lets you:
- Know exactly what you’re building from the start of the hand.
- Reduce “what if” thinking and analysis paralysis.
- See progress as your hand gets closer to completion.
- Learn faster because you’re repeating the same routes.
Pattern 1: Standard 4 Sets + 1 Pair
Think of this as your default beginner route: 4 melds (sets) + 1 pair. Most of your early winning hands will follow this shape.
Example Shape
Here’s a simple starting structure in the circles (dots) suit:
In this example, the 5-6-7 can become a chow (sequence), and the double 7 can become your pair. You’re already on the way to a standard 4-sets-plus-1-pair pattern.
Why This Pattern Works for Beginners
- It appears naturally in most starting hands.
- It works with almost any suit or mix of suits.
- It gives you clear checkpoints: 1st set, 2nd set, 3rd set, 4th set, pair.
Pattern 2: Flexible Shapes Route
Not every hand starts with perfect melds. Sometimes you just have “almost” shapes like 3-4, 4-5-6, or 2-3-4. These are flexible shapes that can grow into full sets in multiple ways.
Look for shapes such as:
- 1-2-3 or 2-3-4 in the same suit.
- 3-4-5 with room to extend in either direction.
- Pairs that sit near other tiles in the same suit.
The key idea: if a shape can grow in more than one direction, it’s usually worth keeping early in the hand.
Pattern 3: The Two-Block Start
Another beginner-friendly route is to aim for a “two-block start”:
- One near-complete meld (for example, 5-6-7).
- One stable pair (for example, 7-7 or 5-5).
Once you have these two blocks, your hand already has a backbone. You’re no longer “everywhere”; you’re building on something real.
These patterns reinforce the foundations of Mahjong strategy for beginners, especially learning how to shape your hand early.
When to Abandon a Pattern
Even with a clear route, sometimes the tiles don’t cooperate. Consider abandoning your current pattern if:
- You draw nothing useful for 4–5 turns in a row.
- Opponents keep claiming or discarding tiles you need.
- You suddenly see a much stronger shape forming in another suit.
Changing your mind too often is a problem—but so is staying attached to a dead pattern. The skill is noticing when the table is “telling” you to change course.
These patterns help reinforce core ideas in Mahjong strategy for beginners, especially choosing a direction and sticking to it.How to Practice This Lesson
For this week, give yourself a simple practice challenge:
- Pick one main pattern (4 sets + 1 pair, or two-block start).
- Stay with it unless the hand clearly dies.
- After each hand, ask: “Did I follow a route, or just react?”
The goal is not perfection—it’s building the habit of choosing a clear route instead of improvising every turn.
