Points, which may be referred to by different terminology depending on the variation, are earned by successfully matching hands under various conditions that yield different scores.

The player draws a tile from the wall in a clockwise direction, incorporating it into their hand. Typically, this draw is facilitated by the Preliminary offer to expedite the gameplay.

In Mahjong, a match consists of four rounds, each designated by a "prevailing wind," beginning with East. Following the completion of the first round, the second round commences with South as the prevailing wind, and this pattern continues.

Playing Mahjong can be quite challenging; however, Mahjong Ways offers a significantly more accessible experience. I found the slot game to feature a user-friendly design, with all necessary controls conveniently located beneath the game grid.

PG Soft's Mahjong Ways 2, similar to its predecessor, is a straightforward game. I launched the game and completed fifty spins at a wager of $2 per spin for agitoto. The hit rate for this game is relatively favorable, with frequent wins, although most payouts tend to be lower than the initial bet.

The updated rules are heavily reliant on specific patterns. The rulebook outlines 81 combinations based on scoring patterns recognized in both traditional and modern regional Chinese variants, with some strategies from Japanese play also incorporated. Points for flower tiles (each flower is valued at one point) cannot be added until the player has accumulated at least 8 points.

South African Mahjong is a variant of Cantonese Mahjong, closely mirroring its gameplay and adhering to many of the same rules. However, there are some minor differences in scoring and other aspects.

When a player has a complete hand, it is referred to as a "ready hand," or more colloquially, "to the pot." The player with a ready hand is said to be waiting for specific tiles, often anticipating two or three tiles, and certain variants award points for a hand that is considered "loo."