[Conclusion]
Because players from Adept 1 to Saint 3 can participate in the Jade Room, the ranking system's function of competing within the same rank has collapsed. Furthermore, opponent statuses can be easily checked.
You must absolutely check the opponent's status (number of games, rank, last-place rate, win rate, deal-in rate, call rate, Riichi rate). If you understand the opponent's characteristics, your strategy will change.
[Explanation]
One of the good things about online games is the ranking system and its segregation. A mechanism where you compete at a similar rank allows you to feel growth and increases enjoyment when you win.
However, because Mahjong Soul failed in its initial ranking match settings, it has created a 'weak-exploitation game' called the Jade Room.
Many people say they aim for Celestial (魂天) in the Throne Room, but it almost never works out. This is because Mahjong has a strong element of luck, and fighting through the long Saint 3 slope against the same rank makes maintaining an average rank of 2.3 or so an 'impossible game.'
Everyone likely feels that there is a significant difference in Mahjong skill between Adept 1 and Saint 3.
You cannot cancel when a Saint 3 joins, but you can check if the opponent is strong or weak. You can imagine what lies ahead if you aim for a distant Full Flush by calling when a Saint 3 with a low deal-in rate is sitting in the upper seat. The reverse is also true; if their status shows they are cycling between Adept 1 and Expert 3, they might easily discard a Dora dragon tile.
I don't go anymore, but when I used to go to free Mahjong parlors, I made it a point to leave early if there were strong players. If you play long-term, you will inevitably break even or lose.
Unfortunately, Mahjong has a significant aspect of being a game of exploiting the weak. In free Mahjong, weak people disappear; in the Jade Room, weak people go to the Gold Room. Among those who become Celestial, there are situations where they were simply blessed with matchmaking.
In other online games, statuses aren't revealed that much, and there's often no time to check, but Mahjong Soul provides plenty of time and detailed statuses are visible.
I don't think ordinary streamers or pros can talk about such unpleasant topics, but this is the reality.
However, while doing the basics like advancing your hand properly and folding correctly, I want you to grasp your opponents firmly to utilize as much information as possible.
It is an unshakeable fact that Mahjong is a player-versus-player game and a game of exploiting the weak.
However, some might say, 'I don't want to think in such a sneaky way!' For those people, I want to write an article tomorrow about how to satisfy your desires.
[Related Articles]
The Trap for Adepts Misled by Mahjong AI Ranks: Why S-Ranks Keep Losing
https://x.com/hirokarry1980/status/2087694360808976891
Why Can't You Win in the Jade Room? To Become a Mahjong Saint
https://x.com/hirokarry1980/status/2086610336954941817
Why Mahjong is 1% Study and 99% Practice: Only Those Who Play Many Games Win in the Jade Room and Become Saints
https://x.com/hirokarry1980/status/2086936198426325092
Why Do You Start Losing When Your Mahjong Knowledge Increases? (For Adepts and Saints)
https://x.com/hirokarry1980/status/1781864776924303617
If You Want to Win in the Jade Room, Break Free from the Mahjong Education Entertainment Addiction Common Among Adepts
