Chapter 4: From Mahjong Novice to Expert
【Value Efficiency of Single Suited Tiles】
Why do we say "Gold Three, Silver Seven, Stinky Two/Eight"? What about One/Nine and Four/Five/Six? These sayings originate from the tile-forming efficiency of single suited tiles (1-9) in forming combinations. This article will analyze:
1. Symmetric Nature of Mahjong Tiles
Mahjong suited tiles (1-9) are symmetric around 5:
- 1↔9, 2↔8, 3↔7, 4↔6 have identical compatibility and value efficiency.
This symmetry explains sayings like "Gold Three, Silver Seven, Stinky Two/Eight".
Example with 1筒/9筒:
Hand:
[1筒]
Compatible tiles:
[1筒, 2筒, 3筒]
(3 compatible tiles)
Hand:
[9筒]
Compatible tiles:
[7筒, 8筒, 9筒]
(3 compatible tiles)
Both form:
- A pair
- An edge combination (e.g., 1-2-3)
- A semi-edge combination (e.g., 1-3 gap).
2. Compatibility Analysis
Hand:
Compatible tiles:
(3 compatible tiles)
Hand:
Compatible tiles:
(4 compatible tiles)
Hand:
Compatible tiles:
(5 compatible tiles)
Hand:
Compatible tiles:
(5 compatible tiles)
Hand:
Compatible tiles:
(5 compatible tiles)
Hand:
Compatible tiles:
(5 compatible tiles)
Hand:
Compatible tiles:
Hand:
Compatible tiles:
(4 compatible tiles)
Hand:
Compatible tiles:
(3 compatible tiles)
Table Notes:
- Hand Example: Uses Dots suit for demonstration (applies equally to Bamboo/Characters).
- Compatible Tiles: Adjacent tiles that can form combinations with the numbered tile (e.g., 1 Dot can form 1-2-3 sequence).
- Compatibility Count: Total number of tiles that can form combinations.
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3. Why "Gold Three/Silver Seven"?
Though tiles 3-7 all have 5 compatible tiles, 3/7 are superior because:
- Higher Probability: Combinations with 3/7 (e.g., 2-3-4 or 6-7-8) complete faster.
- Edge Advantage:
- Tiles like 2-3 or 7-8 are easier to complete than middle tiles (e.g., 4-5-6).
- Pung Difficulty: Middle tiles (4-6) are less likely to be discarded early.
Example Scenarios:
Hand:
Compatible Combinations ：
Hand:
Compatible Combinations ：
Hand:
Compatible Combinations ：
Hand:
Compatible Combinations ：
Hand:
Compatible Combinations ：
Key Reasons:
- Gaps like 1-3 or 7-9 wait for rare tiles (2/8).
- Edge combinations (2-3 / 7-8) > middle combinations (4-5).
- Middle tiles are harder to Pung (others hold them longer).
- Combinations with 3/7 have better upgrade potential.
4. Why "Stinky Two/Eight"?
Example with 2筒/8筒:
Hand:
[2筒]
Compatible tiles:
[1筒, 2筒, 3筒, 4筒]
(Forms edge/cardinal combinations needing 3/7)
Hand:
[8筒]
Compatible tiles:
[6筒, 7筒, 8筒, 9筒]
Compared to 1/9:
Hand:
Compatible tiles:
Hand:
Compatible tiles:
- Pair Value: 1/9 pairs > 2/8 pairs (rarer).
- Combination Efficiency:
- 2/8 rely on 3/7 for completion (harder to obtain).
- 1/9 combinations include edge gaps (e.g., 1-2-3).
Advantages of 1/9:
- Gap Combinations: 1-3 gaps > 2-4 gaps.
- Pung Priority: 1/9 pairs are discarded earlier.
Summary Table
| Tile | Nickname | Key Traits |
|------|-------------|--------------------------------|
| 3/7 | Gold/Silver | High compatibility, fast completion |
| 2/8 | Stinky | Overrated, relies on rare tiles |
| 1/9 | Underrated | Better pairs and gap potential |
