People ask me: What do I need to do to get better at mahjong?
The answer is simple but they never seem to like it. You need to have vision from the very start of the hand as to what sort of ideal completed shape are you going to form it into.
Notice I say “ideal”. This is where you can sketch out all the unicorns with the imaginary perfect draws. Of course, it’s not going to work out that way, but it will help guide you to the best available opportunities for that hand.
When sketching out the ideal hands, you should consider the following:
1) The value you can or should get from it - consider the points context
2) The ideal wait shape - three sided, etc. and where in your tiles are you most likely to achieve that
3) Speed - How fast is this likely to get there (ie. how many tiles you need)
4) Dora - Do you have the? Can you absorb them if they come?
This ideal and how close you get to it during the game may also inform you on when it is time to bail. Taking too long to get anywhere close to that ideal? It may be time to fold.
If you have patient friends in your training sessions, get out some pen and paper and write down what would be the perfect situation on your initial deal. Then, see how close you get to it at the end of the hand.