Mahjong Seating
There is no single “correct” seating method—it differs by group, ruleset, and tournament. Each tournament, group, ruleset, officiating body will have their preferences on what is the "correct" seating method. Be sure to abide by the ruleset when specified.
Here are some common methods to determine Mahjong Seating:
Mahjong Seating Method 1 - Sitting Whenever You Please
Generally as it sounds, the four players will sit wherever they like. There is no need to complicate this one.
Mahjong Seating Method 2 - Picking Wind Tiles Randomly
Take one each of the East, South, West, North wind tiles, shuffle them face-down. Grab them randomly and the person who gets East keeps sitting there or moves to the seat decided for East. Then the others seat themselves counterclockwise as East-South-West-North. Alternatively, you can roll dice to see who gets to pick their wind tile first.
Mahjong Seating Method 3 - Rolling Dice to Determine East
Each person rolls a set of dice and the highest roller becomes East and keeps sitting there or moves to the seat decided for East. Then the others seat themselves randomly counterclockwise as East-South-West-North.
Mahjong Seating Method 4 - Rolling Dice to Determine Seat
Each person rolls a set of dice and the highest roller becomes East and keeps sitting there or moves to the seat decided for East. Then the others seat themselves based on the next highest roll counterclockwise as East-South-West-North.
Just remember to have fun and not to take seating too seriously. Most of the strategy comes from making hands, not picking seats.
