Mahjongg - Rules

Introduction To The Game

Mahjongg is based on an ancient Chinese game whose origins are supposed
to date back some 3000 years. This version has similarities to solitaire
played with cards and also with dominos since it is played with tiles. The
initial impression of the game is that it will quickly become dull. But
having played it for a while, you will find out that it is quite addictive
despite its apparent simplicity.

Object Of The Game

The object of the game is to remove as many of the tiles from the playing
board as possible within the rules of the game. Tiles are always removed in
pairs and can only be removed from the left or the right edges. Any tile that
is not on a left or right edge is considered blocked and cannot be removed.
Note though that the tiles are arranged in 5 levels and each level has a left
and right edge so there are many more unblocked tiles than it would first
appear. Note that the tile on the top of the pile blocks all four tiles below
it, and tiles on row 5 block both rows 4 and 6.

Suits Of Tiles

There are many different suits of tiles and the suit of a tile determines
the rule used for matching tiles that can be removed together.

Matching Rules

Most of the tile suits require an exact match. This means that you must match
a tile to another that is exactly the same.

For example:
A Bamboo 2 matches another Bamboo 2.
A Bamboo 2 doesn't match a Bamboo 3.
A Bamboo 2 doesn't match a Dot 1.

The other matching rule allows any tile in the same suit to match any other
tile in that suit.

Any of the four Seasons match each other.
Any of the four Flowers match each other.

Number Of Tiles

There is only one each of SUM, AUT, WIN, SPR, MUM, PLUM, BAM, and ORC.
There are four of each of the other tiles for a total of 144 tiles on the
board. A counter keeps track of how many tiles are left in play.

Entering The Game

At startup of the game you will be asked for your playername. This name will be
used to register your scores.

Mouse Control

To select a tile, point to it and give it a mouse click. If after you've
selected your first tile you change your mind, just point and click the same
tile again to undo the selection. After you've selected both tiles, the tiles will
be removed if possible. Incorrect selections will be accompagnied by error messages.

Buttons

	Lets you end the current game and go on to the next game.
	Replaces the last two tiles you removed. You can undo as many times as you want until all 144 tiles are back on the board.
	Shows (additional) matching tiles. If there are no (more) matches it tells you that instead. A received hint adds 1 minute to the game time.
	Quits the game to the Mahjongg intro page.

Highscores

Highscores will be kept of every player. The player with the fewest tiles
left will be at the top of our ranking. Incase of a draw the game time will be
decisive.

The highscores can be viewed at a separate page or in the game itself in
the ranking list. Use the

buttons for scrolling up and down the highscores.