Competitive Mahjong Ranking System Announcement
- 段位管理組
- Oct 5
- 3 min read
(Announced by the Hong Kong Mahjong Association's Ranking Management Committee on September 30, 2025)
I. System Launch and Scope of Application
Launch Date: October 2025 (Initial Trial Phase)
Applicable Rules:
Phase 1: Riichi Mahjong
Phase 2: Hong Kong Clear Chapter Mahjong, Hong Kong-Style Sixteen-Tile Mahjong
Phase 3: Standard Chinese Mahjong (MCR)
Rank Structure: Amateur 1 Kyu 1 to Professional 9 Dan (Kyu → Dan → Pro).
II. Grading and Promotion Mechanism
1. Amateur Levels (1st to 10th KYU)
The Ranking system automatically calculates Ranking Points (RP) and Elo ratings based on competition results. No application for promotion matches is required.
Promotion occurs automatically upon meeting grading standards, with the ranking list updated monthly or quarterly.
2. Professional Ranks (1st Dan and Above)
Promotion requires certification through a rank advancement tournament:
Application System: Players must submit an application 30 days prior to the tournament and pass an initial review.
Invitation System: The Rank Management Team may proactively invite players demonstrating exceptional skill or notable achievements to participate in the promotion process.
Promotion Requirements (Excerpt):
Elo rating reaches threshold Tₑ;
Ranking Points (RP) meet cumulative standard;
Average ranking (μ) falls below specified threshold; Match count (n) satisfies cumulative standard;
Promotion match acceptance rate:
Amateur 10th Kyu → 1st Dan: 50%,
1st Dan → 2nd Dan: 45%,
2nd Dan → 3rd Dan: 40%,
3rd Dan → 4th Dan: 35%,
4th Dan → 5th Dan: 30%,
5th Dan → 6th Dan: 25%,
6th Dan → 7th Dan: 20%,
7th Dan → 8th Dan: 15%,
8th Dan → 9th Dan: 10%.
Promotion Granting Process:
Following the promotion tournament, the Dan Grading Committee conducts a review;
Upon confirming no irregularities, the dan grade is granted and Elo/RP status is updated;
Dan grade changes are uniformly announced the following month.
III.Tournament Class
S / A1 / A2 / B1 / B2 / C1 / C2 / Standard Class. Higher-tier tournaments may assign greater weight to Elo and RP.
2. Rating Points (RP) Model
RP = Match Points (M) + Σ (BP × Rating Differential Coefficient)
BP (Match Points): 1st=4, 2nd=2, 3rd=1, 4th=0
Match Points (M) are assigned according to the tournament class table:
S: 1st=128 / 2nd=96 / 3rd–4th=64 / 5th–8th=32 / 9th–16th=16
A1: 96 / 48 / 36 / 16 / 8
A2: 64 / 40 / 32 / 12 / 8
B1: 48 / 24 / 16 / 8 / 4
B2: 40 / 24 / 12 / 8 / 4
C1: 32 / 12 / 8 / 4 / 2
C2: 24 / 12 / 8 / 4 / 2
General Class: 16 / 8 / 4 / 2 / 1
3. Elo Rating System
Starting Value: 1500 points;
Dynamic K-value: Initially higher to accelerate convergence, decreasing to approximately 8 after about 300 matches;
Win-Loss Conversion: Calculated using a four-player match → six pairwise BT model;
Competition Risk/Player Stability Factor: Sensitivity adjusted according to formulaic regulations.
IV. Rating Management System
Rating Maintenance Observation: Players whose Elo rating consistently falls 200 points below the rating threshold for one month will enter rating maintenance matches or an observation period.
Rating Downgrade and Capping: Players persistently failing to meet standards will be downgraded; those meeting standards but not qualifying for promotion will be capped.
Inactivity System: Accounts inactive for 180 consecutive days will be automatically suspended. Reactivation is required before further rating progression.
Dispute Appeals: Appeals may be submitted within 7 days after rank announcements; responses provided within 10 business days;
Archived & Honorary Ranks: Long-term inactive players, rule violators, or those with special contributions handled per regulations.
V. Experimental Rank System (P-Level/P-Rank)
Applicable to: Newly registered players, players returning after long-term suspension, players transferring from other systems, officially invited players;
Observation Period: The system applies a sliding standard deviation to Elo ratings based on the most recent 16 ranked matches within one month.
Promote Requirements:
Stable Elo ≥ Recommended value for corresponding rank +40;
Average ranking ≤ 2.6;
Standard deviation σ < 180;
Number of 4th-place finishes ≤ 12;
Post-Observation Period: The Ranking Management Team grants official ranks based on the data.
VI. Implementation Timeline
October 2025: Trial implementation of the Li-Zhi Mahjong ranking system;
Within 2026: Incorporate Hong Kong Qingzhang Mahjong and Hong Kong-style Sixteen-Tile Mahjong;
By end of 2026: Incorporate International Standard Mahjong and complete the unified ranking framework for all four rule sets.
VII. Transparency and Interpretation Authority
Scoring algorithms, promotion criteria, and competition tiers shall be publicly transparent;
Rank conferral, retention, demotion, and dispute resolution shall follow the Competitive Mahjong Rank Management Regulations;
All disputes and final interpretation authority reside with the Hong Kong Mahjong Association Rank Management Committee.