Mahjong is a skill game in Asia that has begun to gain popularity throughout the internet gaming world in the last few years. Although not nearly as popular in the West as it is in the Eastern world, it would not be far-fetched for Westerners to ubiquitously find mahjong at online casino sites or even neighborhood casino destinations in the near future. Considering the scope of the game and its predisposition for tournament play, the casinos that are offering mahjong, like Crazy Vegas Casino, are doing so on a dedicated website and software platform. Here, you can get first-hand practice at the online version of this exciting and fun game.

When it comes to incorporating strategy into a game of mahjong, it most certainly can be done. Although mahjong is considered a skill game, some people tend to think that Mahjong is strictly a game of luck. On the contrary, Mahjong offers a horde of opportunities to incorporate strategy. The greatest chance to incorporate strategy is when Flower and Season tiles are omitted from play, and minimum hands are permitted - as is the case in the Classic Chinese version of Mahjong, and the new International standard played with cards. The very first step needed to master a sound mahjong strategy is to become good at deciphering the exact tiles and most direct route needed to form a hand of mahjong. Once you know how many and which tiles you will need to win, you will have a sense of how aggressive or risky you will need to play the hand. Since there are multiple hands - whose scores are cumulative - played in a game of mahjong, the idea is to obtain the highest score possible, even if this means not winning the hand. It is advised that if you need four or less tiles to complete a mahjong hand, to play aggressively and take chances. If needing five tiles from the very beginning, your luck will be the deciding factor on whether to go for mahjong or give up early and seek a draw. If needing six or more tiles, it is best advised to play defensively and try to obtain a draw from the start.

Adopt the Following Playing Styles:

Needing four or less tiles from the beginning of play necessitates an aggressive playing style. In other words, do not be afraid to discard any tile that know you don't need. After doing so for six or seven tiles, begin to "chow" and "pung" your hand.

When you are playing for a draw from the start of the game (i.e. you are needing five or less tiles and luck is not coming your way), discard cautiously. Do not be the first player to discard a dragon or wind tile, except it be your own. Also, do not play with doubles, and do not chow or pung your hand.

If you are playing simply not to lose, meaning you are needing six or more tiles to make mahjong from the very start of the game, discard very cautiously. If after four tile draws, you only need three or less tiles to obtain mahjong, begin to play aggressive and go for the win. If you need more than three tiles after four draws, continue to discard cautiously and seek a draw at the very best.

Discarding Tiles in the Proper Order:

In general, it is best to discard in the following order: Isolated winds should be discarded early on before other players "pung", since they will likely prove useless to you and other players. Begin with the East Wind, followed by the player to your left, directly across and the right (in that order if possible). The next tiles to be discarded should be Terminals and the shortest suits in your hand. Following discarded isolated Winds, you should discard isolated Dragons in order to keep other players from using "pung". However, keep dragon pairs. Special Winds of other players should be discarded early on. However, keep your own Special Wind until it has been discarded at least twice by other players and/or becomes absolutely useless. The last tiles to be discarded should be Simples. 4, 5 and 6 are highly valuable - especially later in the game. Keep these as long as possible.