What Is “Jan-Po”?
“Jan-Po” is an innovative game created by “Toshiki,” the developer at Poker Q’z. It’s a groundbreaking hybrid that combines Mahjong and Poker (Texas Hold’em).
Players hold both a Mahjong hand and a poker hand at the same time, and on each turn they choose whether to prioritize a Mahjong discard or a poker action.
Because of this choice, you must constantly decide whether Mahjong or poker matters more in the current situation. You need to build strategy while balancing both games, making Jan-Po a fresh, highly strategic experience full of mind games and decision-making.
Basic Rules
- Starting points
Both Mahjong and poker start at 25,000 points. - Managing points
All points are managed as a single chip stack for poker. You can also use Mahjong point sticks instead of chips. - Action restrictions
On each turn, you can do only one of the following: a Mahjong discard from the hand or a poker chip-committing action.
In other words:
① If you take a poker action of call or higher, you must discard in Mahjong by discarding the drawn tile.
② If you discard from your hand in Mahjong, you must check or fold in poker.
- The game proceeds in Mahjong turn order. That means poker action goes in the opposite direction from usual.
- When it’s not your turn to act in poker, you only discard in Mahjong (commonly called Tada-Jan Time).
Poker
- Format
Texas Hold’em. - Blinds
Fixed at 200-500. - Dealer
You need one PD (Playing Dealer). Ask the person who seems best suited to run the game.
- Required equipment
Playing cards and chips. Chips can be replaced with Mahjong point sticks.
Mahjong
- Rules
Four-player Mahjong based on M.League rules. (East-only is recommended. A hanchan will take a very long time.) - Dealer repeats
None. Since it’s East-only, the match always ends after 4 hands. - Required equipment
Mahjong tiles and a table. You may use an automatic table, but we take no responsibility if cards or chips fall into the table.
If you don’t mind longer sessions, you can freely adjust the Mahjong rules.
How the Game Progresses
At the Start of Each Hand
Dealing the Mahjong Tiles
- Deal 13 tiles to each player. We recommend building the dead wall at the dealer’s shimocha’s “Zi 7” position (so it’s easier to reveal the poker board).
If you use an automatic-dealing table, we recommend turning off the auto-deal function.
Note: The dealer does not take the first drawn tile during the initial deal. Treat the 14th tile as the first draw.
Poker Hand
- Place the button so that the Mahjong dealer becomes the first player to act in poker (cutoff).
- After the Mahjong dealer completes the first draw, deal poker hands to everyone.
Note: Because of the poker action order, even when you can only play Mahjong, you generally discard after hands are dealt.
During the Hand
Your Choice on Your Draw Turn
- On your turn, follow the basic rules and handle both a Mahjong discard and a poker action at the same time.
(In poker, you act only when it’s your turn in the betting order. Otherwise, it’s Tada-Jan Time.)
Calling Tiles
- Mahjong calls (open melds) work the same as in standard Mahjong.
- However, if you choose to call, you cannot take a poker action on that turn.
- Since poker actions only happen on Mahjong draw turns, Tada-Jan Time may continue until the player with poker action rights reaches their draw turn.
When a Poker Hand Ends
If the Mahjong hand has not ended, the next poker hand starts immediately.
When a new poker hand begins, make sure action always starts from the cutoff. Players before the cutoff only play Mahjong at that moment.
Handling a Mahjong Win
If someone wins in Mahjong, pause poker and pay points as in normal Mahjong.
On a self-draw win: you must check or fold in the poker hand. If you want to take an action of call or higher, you must discard the winning tile (discard the drawn tile).
On a win by discard: there are no special restrictions. It does not affect poker action order.
When the Mahjong Hand Ends
A Mahjong hand ends when a win occurs or the hand is drawn. In that case, treat the currently running poker hand as the last hand, then move to the next Mahjong hand. During this time, do not play Mahjong and keep your tiles face down.
Special Cases
- If your points drop to 0 or below
- You are considered busted in poker, and from then on you only play Mahjong.
- If three players drop to 0 or below, that Mahjong hand becomes the final hand and the match ends.
- If you lose points in Mahjong while holding a poker hand and your points drop to 0 or below, treat your last chip-committing action as an all-in.
- All-in
- An all-in is defined as betting your entire stack so your points become 0. If you gain points from a Mahjong win while all-in, treat your last chip-committing action as a bet or raise of that new amount.
End of the Match and Winning Conditions
The match ends after East 4 finishes and the final poker hand is completed.
The player with the highest total raw points wins.
Mahjong placement bonuses do not apply.
Important Notes
If a foul occurs in poker or Mahjong and the situation can be restored, treat it as no action and revert.
For fouls that significantly affect gameplay, the PD should make an on-the-spot ruling.
Strategy and Decision-Making
In Jan-Po, the key is deciding whether to focus more on Mahjong or poker. Here are examples of Jan-Po-specific decisions and strategies.
1) Useful Mahjong tiles vs. a strong poker hand
Should you chase poker EV even if it means discarding a useful Mahjong tile?
Or should you prioritize Mahjong efficiency and give up a strong poker hand?
2) A dead draw in Mahjong vs. a poker hand you should fold
Should you use a “wasted” Mahjong draw to open a poker hand you normally wouldn’t play?
If you let opponents draw useful Mahjong tiles, will they be more likely to fold in poker, making your bluff more effective?
3) When your Mahjong starting hand is hopeless
Should you abandon Mahjong and specialize in poker to profit there instead?
As you can see, you must optimize your actions across two games. An action in one game often affects the other. Among advanced players, you’ll frequently see high-level reads and counterplays using many factors on both boards.
Whether you balance both games or commit heavily to one can have a major impact on the outcome.
Summary
“Jan-Po” is a new hybrid game that lets you enjoy the different strategic depth of Mahjong and poker at the same time.
- Mahjong skill: reading hands, tracking opponents’ tendencies.
- Poker skill: evaluating EV, understanding opponents’ play.
Beyond testing each skill set, Jan-Po demands choices that balance both games and create synergy.
Enjoy this new challenge.
