Double Pung

What Is Double Pung

Double Pung in Chinese Mahjong is a 2-fan pattern formed by collecting two pungs of the same rank but in different suits. It fits naturally within pung-heavy hands, such as All Pungs, and can stack with various other patterns. Look for early signs of multiple pairs or triplets of the same number across different suits, balance the speed gained from melding versus the secrecy of a concealed approach, and remain flexible if tile flow or discards don’t favor your initial plan. Achieving Double Pung can provide a valuable point boost on your way to a winning hand.

The Tile Pattern of Double Pung

Two Pungs, Same Rank

• Each pung is three identical tiles.
• The rank (number) on these tiles must be the same, but the suit must differ.

Any Combination of Suits: You can use any two suits (Dots & Bams, Dots & Craks, or Bams & Craks), as long as the numerical rank is identical for both pungs.

Example:

• Pung of 7 Bams + Pung of 7 Craks, or
• Pung of 3 Dots + Pung of 3 Craks.

Fan Value of Double Pung

Under standard Chinese Mahjong rules, Double Pung is worth 2 fan. Notably, if your hand somehow contains multiple instances of Double Pung (e.g., two different pairs of identical-rank pungs in different suits), you might claim this pattern more than once.

Strategies and Considerations of Double Pung

Early Multiple Pairs: If you notice you’re collecting multiple pairs of the same number but different suits (e.g., you have a pair of 5 Bams and a pair of 5 Dots), you might aim to convert each pair into a pung, earning Double Pung.

Melding vs. Concealing: In Chinese Mahjong, whether you form your pungs openly (by claiming discards) or keep them concealed does not change the 2-fan value of Double Pung. Meld if it speeds you up; remain concealed if you see synergy with other patterns (like Concealed Hand).

Combining with Other Patterns

• All Pungs: Double Pung combines naturally with an All Pungs hand, as you likely have multiple triplets. If two of those triplets share the same rank in different suits, you earn Double Pung’s 2-fan bonus in addition to All Pungs (2 fan).
• Tile Hog or Dragon/Seat Wind Pungs: If one of the pungs is also a special honor pung (e.g., a Dragon Pung), it can yield its own bonus. However, that pung obviously wouldn’t match a “rank” from 1-9, so it wouldn’t be part of Double Pung—but it could still coexist in the same hand with the other pung(s) that form Double Pung.
• No Honors / One-Void Suit: Double Pung is about suits and numbered tiles, so it doesn’t inherently conflict with a pattern like No Honors (having zero winds/dragons) or lacking one particular suit. You can stack them if your hand meets both requirements.

Tile Availability: Keep track of how many copies of a particular rank in each suit are being discarded. If too many appear in the discard pile, forming one or both pungs might be impossible.

Priority vs. Other Patterns: While 2 fan is significant, do not overfocus on forcing Double Pung if you only have partial pieces. A more flexible strategy or a quick meld-based approach might be more efficient, depending on your draws and the game situation.

Revealing Pungs: If you meld one pung early (e.g., 7 Bams) and later reveal another pung of 7 Craks, opponents may realize you have achieved Double Pung, prompting more defensive play. Manage your reveals carefully.