Open and Closed Combinations
When poengs and kongs count as open or closed.
In matjok, it matters whether a combination lies open on the table or has stayed closed in the hand.
Closed combination
A combination is closed as long as it exists only in your hand and was not formed with a discard from another player.
Examples:
3matching tiles that are still in your hand4matching tiles that you complete by drawing them yourself
5 circles5 circles5 circlesOpen combination
A combination is open as soon as you claim a discarded tile and place the combination on the table.
Examples:
- a poeng made with a discard
- a straight made with the discard from the player to your left
2 bamboo
3 bamboo
4 bambooOpen kong
An open kong arises in 2 ways:
- you claim a discarded tile as the
4thmatching tile - you add a
4thtile from your hand to a poeng that was already open on the table
4 circles4 circles4 circles4 circlesClosed kong
A closed kong arises when:
- you already have
3matching tiles in hand and draw the4thyourself - or you fully hold
4matching tiles in your hand and place them open as a kong when it is your turn
East windEast windEast windEast windHand patterns
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
toei-toei-foei | winning hand with 1 or more open matching sets |
kang-kang-foei | winning hand with closed matching sets; the winning tile must have been self-drawn |
Effect at the table
Open and closed status later affect point counting and some multipliers. Therefore, always keep opened combinations clearly visible and grouped.
Quick check
- A claimed combination is open.
- A fully self-built combination stays closed until you open it according to the rules.
- A kong can change status if an open poeng is later completed with the
4thtile.
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