How to Set Up and Play Your Multiplayer Mahjong Game

Getting a multiplayer Mahjong game running on HeyMahjong takes less than two minutes. This guide walks you through everything — from creating your private room to your first discard — so you and your friends can get to the tiles as fast as possible.

Step 1 — Create Your Private Room

Go to the Multiplayer and click Create Room. You’ll be prompted to choose your game settings — rule set, scoring style, and time limits. Once you confirm your settings, your private room is instantly generated with a unique link.

No account is required to create a room. If you want to save your game history and AI Coach stats, create a free account before you start.

Step 2 — Invite Your Friends

Copy your room link and share it directly — via text, WhatsApp, email, or however your group communicates. Your friends click the link, enter a display name, and they’re in. No downloads, no app installs, no accounts required to join.

Your room holds exactly 4 seats. Once all four players have joined, the host can start the game. You’ll see each player’s name appear in their seat as they join.

Step 3 — Break the Wall and Deal

Once all four players are seated, the host clicks Start Game. HeyMahjong handles the full setup automatically — the dice roll, the wall breaks at the correct position, and each player receives their 13-tile opening hand. Everything follows standard Mahjong Competition Rules (MCR) mechanics.

If you’re new to wall-breaking and want to understand how it works, read our complete guide to breaking the wall.

Step 4 — Play Your Hand

Play proceeds counter-clockwise from the dealer. On your turn you draw a tile from the wall and either keep it or discard. You can claim opponent discards to complete a meld — Chow, Pung, or Kong — using the action buttons that appear automatically when a relevant tile is discarded.

The interface highlights available actions so you never miss a claim opportunity. Timers keep the game moving at a natural pace.

Step 5 — Use the AI Discard Coach

The AI Discard Coach is active throughout the game. It analyzes your current hand, tracks the live tile pool, and shows you the strongest discard option on every turn. Look for the coach indicator in your hand panel — tap it to see the recommendation and the reasoning behind it.

The coach never interrupts other players and doesn’t slow the game down. It’s your private assistant, visible only to you. Learn more about how the AI Discard Coach works.

Step 6 — Winning and Scoring

When you complete a winning hand, tap Hu to declare winning. HeyMahjong automatically calculates your score based on your hand patterns, fan count, and any applicable bonuses. Scores are tallied and displayed at the end of each round. The game continues for the full set of rounds or until the agreed end point.

Tips for Your First Game

Play your first game with at least one experienced player at the table — having someone who knows the flow makes the experience smoother for everyone. Use the AI Coach freely in your early games; there’s no penalty for consulting it and it dramatically accelerates your learning curve. If anyone gets disconnected, the room stays open and they can rejoin using the original link.

For a full breakdown of the rules and scoring system, visit our Mahjong rules and strategy guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all four players need an account to play?

Yes. Each player needs a HeyMahjong account to join a multiplayer room.

The host creates the room and shares the room link or room code. Friends can then log in and join the table.

Can I play on my phone?

Not yet. HeyMahjong Multiplayer is currently optimized for desktop web browsers.

Mobile support is planned for a future update.

What happens if someone disconnects mid-game?

If a player disconnects, their seat is reserved and they can rejoin the game where they left off. If they do not return within 3 minutes, an AI player will automatically take over their seat so the game can continue.

How long does a private room stay open?

A private room remains active for up to 24 hours from its last activity. After 24 hours of inactivity, the room automatically expires and can no longer be joined.