Inside the two Mahjong Ways games: symbols, spins and rules

01 · Review

What is the Mahjong Ways slot game?

Mahjong Ways is a video slot from Pocket Games Soft, usually written as PG Soft or PG SOFT. The series currently covered here consists of Mahjong Ways and its sequel, Mahjong Ways 2. Both use mahjong tiles as their visual theme, but neither is the traditional mahjong tile game. They are slots: a spin produces symbols on reels, and wins are checked according to the game’s ways-to-win rules.

In a ways-to-win slot, a winning combination is formed by matching symbols across adjacent reels from the left. The games show the number of available ways above the reels: 1,024 in Mahjong Ways and 2,000 in Mahjong Ways 2. This is different from a traditional payline layout. More ways do not mean a guaranteed win on a spin, nor do they say how much a win will pay; the symbol combination and the game’s paytable determine that.

PG Soft announced Mahjong Ways in December 2019 as its first mahjong-themed slot. The studio announced Mahjong Ways 2 as the sequel in April 2020. The official game information lists both as Classic / Chinese themed games. Their core ideas overlap, but the sequel changes the reel layout, ways count, free-spin starting count and gold-symbol behaviour during free spins.

The official PG Soft material identifies Gaming Associates as a testing body. Its public demo is available in several interface languages; this Philippines section refers to the English interface. The demo’s splash screen also displays certification and licensing wording. Such wording on a game screen should not be treated as proof that a particular platform is authorised to offer the game in the Philippines. Check the platform itself against the relevant official listings. The PG Soft game page is a source for the provider’s game information.

For a separate look at the sequel, see the Mahjong Ways 2 review. For a step-by-step explanation of the basic controls and symbol matching, use the how to play guide.

02 · Review

Mahjong Ways and Mahjong Ways 2: specifications

The headline difference is the reel layout. Mahjong Ways has four rows on each of its five reels. Mahjong Ways 2 keeps four rows on the outer reels but adds a row on reels two, three and four, producing a 4-5-5-5-4 layout. That layout supports 2,000 ways, compared with 1,024 in the first game.

RTP is a theoretical long-term return figure for the game version, not a forecast for an individual player or session. It does not mean that a player receives that percentage back from a short run of spins. The overall hit rate is also not a measure of profit: it describes the proportion of spins recorded as hits under the game’s stated calculation, not whether those hits exceed the cost of play.

The maximum win figures in the table are advertised values, not outcomes that are promised or expected. In one billion simulated spins, the maximum exposure observed was 2,893x for Mahjong Ways and 1,708x for Mahjong Ways 2. These simulation results are not an alternative maximum-win guarantee. They simply report the largest outcome found in that stated simulation sample. More detail on these measures is in the RTP and max win guide.

Both versions list medium session volatility. Volatility is a broad description of how outcomes may be distributed; it does not make a particular spin more predictable. A medium label should not be read as a promise of steady returns or a limit on losses.

The official information gives the first game’s overall hit rate as 28.54%, split between 28.05% for the main game and 0.49% for the free-spins feature. For Mahjong Ways 2, it is 29.90%, split between 29.44% for the main game and 0.46% for free spins. These figures are game statistics, not a personal success rate. A hit can be small, and the hit-rate figure alone does not show net results.

03 · Review

How a Mahjong Ways spin works

A normal round begins when the player starts a spin. After the reels stop, the game checks for winning symbol combinations from left to right. If there is a win, the winning symbols disappear and new symbols fall into the gaps. The game checks the new arrangement again. This is a cascade, and one paid spin can therefore contain more than one round of symbol checks.

The game’s gold-plated mechanic can change symbols during these cascades. On a spin, eligible symbols may appear in gold on reels two, three and/or four. Wild and Scatter symbols are excluded. When new symbols cascade down, a gold symbol involved in a win in the previous round changes into a Wild. A Wild substitutes for all symbols except Scatter. In both games, the Wild is shown as a gold ingot marked WILD.

The multiplier is displayed above the reels and tracks winning cascade rounds within that spin. It begins at x1 in the first round. If the first round wins, the next round uses x2; a win in that round raises the next one to x3; a win at x3 raises later rounds to x5. The multiplier resets when a new spin begins. These are not permanent upgrades to the game or to a player’s account.

Multiplier example, without a payout calculation

This sequence illustrates the multiplier ladder only. It does not estimate a win, give a return, or represent a guaranteed cascade:

1. First winning round: x1.
2. Second winning round: x2.
3. Third winning round: x3.
4. Fourth and any later winning round in the same spin: x5.

The sequence applies only when the preceding round produces a win and the cascade continues. A spin may end earlier. The multiplier is attached to the cascade round, then resets for the next spin.

Mahjong Ways 2 uses the same x1, x2, x3 and x5 base-game ladder. Its distinctive free-spin feature changes how gold symbols appear on reel three, but the game still uses the same broad cascade and multiplier structure. For the feature rules in more detail, see the free spins and Scatter guide.

04 · Review

Free spins and Scatter symbols

The Scatter symbol is shown with the red character 胡 (hu). In both games, three Scatters anywhere on the reels trigger free spins. The number awarded differs between the two versions, and each additional Scatter adds two more spins. The game information also says free spins can be retriggered.

In free spins, the multiplier ladder is x2, x4, x6 and x10 rather than the base-game x1, x2, x3 and x5 ladder. Mahjong Ways 2 also has a particular reel-three rule in this feature: all symbols on reel three other than Wild and Scatter appear in gold. After a win, eligible gold symbols involved in that win can turn into Wilds. This is the documented difference; it does not mean that every free spin produces a win or that a particular symbol must land.

Free spins are a game feature, not a separate guarantee of a positive result. The number of spins awarded and the multipliers describe the rules, not the value of any eventual outcome. The feature can be retriggered, but a retrigger is not certain. Read the paytable and rules shown in the game before playing, and do not treat a feature trigger as a reason to increase a stake or continue beyond a personal limit.

05 · Review

Mahjong Ways controls and interface

The control layout in the official PDFs covers the main game actions and information screens. Exact placement can vary with the screen layout, but the listed controls are the same in both games.

On a computer, the Space key starts a spin; holding Space runs continuous spins. The official PDFs do not describe a Feature Buy or bonus-buy option for either title. Do not assume such a control exists because it is shown in a third-party page or in a different game.

Before starting, it is practical to check the displayed bet setting and the game rules rather than relying on memory. The total-bet formula in the official information is bet size multiplied by bet level and base bet 20. Bet level runs from 1 to 10. This formula explains how the game calculates its setting; no specific bet amount is needed to understand the mechanics. A MAX BET control is listed in the bet interface, so players should take care not to select it accidentally.

Auto Spin can run several spins without a fresh start action each time. Its stop conditions are controls, not a promise that play will stop at a particular outcome. Check which conditions are active before using it, and monitor the session rather than leaving repeated spins unattended. Turbo Spin changes presentation speed, not the random nature of the outcomes.

The game history can help a player review recorded rounds, but it is not a prediction tool. Past results do not identify a pattern that can determine the next result. If a control or record differs on a particular platform, consult that platform’s own instructions as well as the game’s Rules and Paytable screens.

06 · Review

Demo versus real-money play

The public PG Soft demo lets readers view the game interface without treating the demo as a real-money session. It can be useful for learning where the controls and paytable are, and for seeing how the reels, cascades and multiplier display behave. A demo outcome does not establish that a real-money session will produce the same result or follow the same sequence.

The games are HTML5 and can run in a browser or inside a gaming platform. There is no official standalone Mahjong Ways APK from PG Soft. Be cautious of pages that describe an unofficial download as the provider’s official app. The games have no account of their own: platform registration and login are separate from the slot itself. See the guides to demo play, the app and APK question and login and registration for related information.

A demo is not a certification of a platform, and the presence of a game in a platform’s lobby does not by itself establish that the platform may legally offer it to players in the Philippines. The platform’s exact domain and authorisation status matter. Do not assume that a provider’s logo, a game’s splash screen or a page’s licensing claim proves local approval.

07 · Review

Mobile play and display

The official specifications list support for iOS, Android, HTML5, MacOS and Windows. The optimal display is given as 1080x2340 in portrait orientation, with a 19.5:9 ratio. That is a display specification, not a requirement for a particular handset or operating system version. Actual presentation can depend on the browser or gaming platform used.

On a phone or tablet, the main controls are touch-based: SPIN starts the round, MINUS and PLUS adjust the bet setting, and the game area can also be tapped to stop the reels. The official control instructions say that tapping SPIN again or tapping the game area can stop the reels. The available interface language may vary; the public PG Soft demo offers several languages, while this guide uses its English interface.

A larger reel layout in Mahjong Ways 2 means the middle three reels contain an extra row. It does not change the basic interaction: the player starts a spin, the game checks ways to win, and winning symbols can cascade. If the screen feels cramped, review the game rules and controls before using Auto Spin or Turbo Spin. Slower manual play can make it easier to follow the information displayed on a small screen.

Avoid downloading files from unofficial sources on the assumption that they are needed to play. The games are described as HTML5 and run in a browser or within a gaming platform; the provider has no official standalone Mahjong Ways APK. Account credentials belong to the platform, not to the slot. Use the platform’s own account and security guidance, and do not share login details through unrelated pages.

08 · Review

Mahjong Ways myths and unverified claims

Searches for related terms can lead to pages that mix the PG Soft games with titles from other studios or make claims that the official game information does not support. The distinctions below help avoid confusing the series with unrelated games.

• “Mahjong Ways 3” from PG Soft: PG Soft’s official catalogue lists Mahjong Ways and Mahjong Ways 2. No Mahjong Ways 3 from PG Soft was found in the official catalogue. Titles using that name on gaming platforms are from other studios, so their rules should not be attributed to PG Soft.
• “Mahjong ways super scatter”: Mahjong Wins Super Scatter is a different mahjong-themed slot by Pragmatic Play. It is not a Mahjong Ways series title. This guide does not treat its features as features of either PG Soft game.
• Black Scatter or “scatter hitam”: The official PDFs do not include a black Scatter in Mahjong Ways or Mahjong Ways 2. The documented Scatter is the red-character symbol. Claims about another Scatter type should not be treated as official rules for these versions.
• Hourly live RTP: Third-party pages may display changing RTP figures, but the official RTP for each stated version is a fixed long-term theoretical value. A changing hourly percentage is not an official per-hour forecast from the game information.
• Tricks, predictors, patterns and hacks: These do not make the next result predictable. Outcomes are generated by a random number generator, and every spin is independent. A past result or a remembered sequence cannot guarantee a later win.

A practical way to check a claim is to compare it with the game’s own Rules and Paytable and the provider’s published game information. Do not install software or share account details in response to a promise of a predictor, a pattern or a guaranteed result. For related search claims, see the Mahjong Ways 3, Super Scatter and myths page.

09 · Review

Philippines legal context and safer play

Online gambling in the Philippines is regulated by PAGCOR. Only PAGCOR-licensed or registered platforms may legally offer online games to players in the Philippines. This guide does not confirm that Mahjong Ways is approved on any specific platform. Check the exact platform domain against PAGCOR’s official lists before using it. A PAGCOR logo shown on a page is not proof of authorisation.

The minimum age is 21. PAGCOR rules also bar government officials and employees, members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police, and people on the National Database of Restricted Persons from gambling. Anyone unsure whether they are eligible should check the applicable rules and avoid playing until they have confirmed their status.

Payment arrangements are a separate matter from game rules. GCash Help Center states that licensed gaming top-up and withdrawal services were removed effective 16 August 2025. BSP memorandum M-2025-029, dated 14 August 2025, directed BSP-supervised e-wallets to remove in-app links to gambling sites. Payment methods depend on each platform; do not assume a particular wallet or payment route is available. Check current information directly with the relevant service and platform.

For anyone who chooses to play, a few basic safeguards can reduce avoidable harm:

1. Check age eligibility and the platform’s status before opening an account or playing.
2. Decide in advance how much time and how much of your available entertainment budget you are willing to spend, and stop when that limit is reached.
3. Do not chase losses, borrow to play or treat a slot as a way to earn income.
4. Avoid play when distressed, impaired or under pressure, and turn off Auto Spin if you are no longer actively monitoring the session.
5. Take a break if play is affecting sleep, work, studies, relationships or finances; seek support rather than trying to recover losses through more play.

PAGCOR provides information about responsible gaming and self-exclusion. Support is also available from the National Problem Gambling Helpline, the PAGCOR self-exclusion portal and PAGCOR responsible gaming information. These resources are separate from the slot’s controls and should be considered if gambling is causing harm. More information for local readers is available in our Philippines legal guide and responsible gaming guide.

10 · Review

Which PG Mahjong Ways game is different for you?

Neither game can be described as a reliable way to make money. The comparison is useful for understanding the format, not for predicting an outcome. Mahjong Ways has the simpler four-row layout and a 1,024-ways count. Mahjong Ways 2 adds a row to each of the three middle reels and lists 2,000 ways. Both have medium session volatility, cascading wins, gold-symbol transformations and the same base-game multiplier ladder.

The sequel has a slightly higher stated RTP, 96.95% compared with 96.92%, but that small difference is a long-term theoretical statistic, not a reason to expect a better short session. The two games also report different overall hit rates and advertised maximum wins. Those figures should be read together with the simulation note: the advertised maximum win is 100,000x the bet for Mahjong Ways 2 and 25,000x for Mahjong Ways, while the maximum exposures observed in one billion simulated spins were 1,708x and 2,893x respectively. Neither advertised maximum is a promise that a player will reach it.

The free-spin design is another concrete distinction. Mahjong Ways starts with 12 free spins when three Scatters appear; Mahjong Ways 2 starts with 10. Each additional Scatter adds two spins in either game. In free spins, both use x2, x4, x6 and x10 multipliers, while Mahjong Ways 2 specifies that all eligible symbols on reel three appear in gold. A player who wants to compare features can use the demo and read the Paytable, but should not assume that familiarity or a preferred layout changes random outcomes.

A sensible choice is therefore based on which rules and presentation you want to understand, rather than a belief that one version can be beaten. Check the version, rules, platform and legal status; keep play within personal limits; and remember that a higher ways count, RTP figure or advertised maximum does not remove the risk of losing. The mechanics explain what the game can do, not what it will do on the next spin.

Verdict

Mahjong Ways pros and cons