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Pung, Kong, Quint, and Sextet in American Mahjong
American Mahjong uses short names for repeated-tile groups. Knowing the names makes lessons and calls faster, but the group must still match one exact position on the annual card.
Quick answer
A pung is three identical tiles, a kong is four, a quint is five, and a sextet is six. Jokers may be used in eligible groups of three or more identical tiles, while singles and pairs must be natural.
Pungs and kongs
A pung contains three copies of one tile identity. A kong contains four. Both can often be exposed by calling a matching discard when the hand is open.
Card spacing tells you whether repeated symbols form one group. Do not split a printed kong into a pung and single.
Quints and sextets
Five- and six-tile groups exceed the four natural copies normally available, so they require at least one or two jokers.
These large exposures occupy more rack space and reveal more of the hand, making accurate counting important.
Identical means identical
A sequence such as 2-3-4 contains three tiles but is not a pung. The natural tiles in a pung, kong, quint, or sextet share one identity.
Flowers are interchangeable under American rules and can form eligible flower groups according to the card.
Beginner checklist
- Pung equals three
- Kong equals four
- Quint equals five
- Sextet equals six
- Use identical tiles within each group
Compact and travel-table note
Choose a travel rack long enough to display a sextet without crowding the concealed tiles. Rack fit matters more with compact accessories than with full-size tables.
Rules authority
The National Mah Jongg League publishes the American version of the rules and the annual Standard Hands and Rules card. Use the current card and official materials when a tournament-level ruling matters.
Continue learning
Frequently asked questions
How many tiles are in a pung?
A pung contains three identical tiles.
How many tiles are in a kong?
A kong contains four identical tiles.
Why do quints and sextets need jokers?
Only four natural copies of an ordinary tile identity are normally available.
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