A Mahjong set isn’t something you buy every year. If your group meets weekly, those tiles will pass through your hands at every game for years to come, on the card table in winter and perhaps on a shaded terrace in July. It’s worth choosing well. Here is what to look for, roughly in order of importance.
Make sure it’s complete for American play
An American Mahjong set has 152 tiles:
- Bams, Craks, and Dots, numbered 1 to 9, four of each (108)
- Winds: North, East, West, and South, four of each (16)
- Dragons: Red, Green, and White, four of each (12)
- Flowers (8)
- Jokers (8)
Check the jokers first. If a set has no jokers, it was made for another style of the game, and you won’t be able to play American Mahjong with it. Our article on American and Chinese Mahjong explains why the tile counts differ.
Some sets include extras, such as spare jokers or blank tiles. These are handy replacements if a tile goes missing; the game itself is played with the standard 152. If you’re considering a vintage or secondhand set, count every tile, especially the jokers and flowers, before you commit.
Legibility comes first
You’ll read your own rack up close and every discard from across the table, often in evening light. A set you can read at a glance makes the game calmer for everyone.
- Clear, generously sized engravings. Numbers, characters, and symbols should be crisp and easy to tell apart.
- Strong color. The colors should stand out clearly against the tile face.
- Corner markings. Some sets add small numbers or letters in the corner of each tile, which can make reading a rack quicker while you’re learning.
- Distinctive jokers and flowers. Designs for these tiles vary a great deal from set to set. Make sure you’d recognize each one instantly, since a joker is the last tile you want to overlook.
- The 1 Bam and Soap. The 1 Bam is traditionally drawn as a bird, and the design of the White Dragon varies too. Check that both are easy to spot.
If you can, look at the tiles in ordinary room light before deciding. And if small print is a concern, remember that the National Mah Jongg League offers a large-print edition of its annual card, which pairs well with a set that’s easy on the eyes.
Weight, size, and feel
- Uniform tiles. Every tile should be the same size and thickness, so the walls stand straight and line up neatly.
- A comfortable size. Large enough to read easily, small enough to stand 14 on a rack without crowding.
- A smooth finish. Run a finger along the edges. They should feel clean and even, with nothing rough or chipped.
- A pleasant weight. Tiles with some heft feel satisfying in the hand and sit steadily on the rack.
Modern tiles are commonly made from durable plastics such as acrylic or melamine. Rather than chasing a particular material, judge a set by how it looks, reads, and feels.
Racks and pushers
Most American sets come with four racks, each with a pusher used to slide your section of the wall toward the center of the table. Look for racks that:
- Hold your tiles steadily, at an angle that’s easy to read
- Leave room on top for the groups you expose during play
- Feel sturdy without being heavy to carry
- Have pushers that attach securely and slide smoothly
If the racks that come with a set don’t suit you, they’re easy to replace or upgrade on their own. See our racks and pushers.
The case or bag
A good case keeps all 152 tiles together at home and protects them on the way to a friend’s game. Check that it closes securely and holds the tiles snugly, so they don’t knock against each other in transit. Think about what else you’ll want to carry with it, such as racks, dice, and cards.
Store your set away from direct sunlight, heat, and humidity. Our care guide covers the rest.
Color and design
Once the practical boxes are ticked, choose with your heart. Think about where you’ll play most: the color of your table, your mat, the room itself. Tiles that contrast with your mat make the walls and discards easier to see, and a set you love looking at is one you’ll bring out every week, from winter afternoons to summer evenings by the pool.
A quick checklist
Before you buy, ask yourself:
- Does it have 152 tiles, including eight jokers and eight flowers?
- Can I read every tile easily, both on my rack and across the table?
- Do the jokers, flowers, 1 Bam, and Soap stand out at a glance?
- Are the tiles uniform, smooth, and well finished?
- Are there four sturdy racks with pushers?
- Will the case protect the set at home and on the road?
- Do I love how it looks?
Finding yours
For a closer look at every tile you’ll be checking, read our guide to Mahjong tiles. Our first collection is coming soon, and you’ll find it under Mahjong sets when it arrives. Whatever you choose, choose the set you’ll be glad to open again and again.
