One of the loveliest things about American Mahjong is how little it asks of you: a set, a table, a card, and three friends. Here is everything you need for your first game, along with a few things that make every game after it more comfortable.
The essentials
An American Mahjong set
A set for American Mahjong has 152 tiles:
| Tiles | Count |
|---|---|
| Bams, Craks, and Dots, numbered 1–9 (four of each) | 108 |
| Winds: North, East, West, South (four of each) | 16 |
| Dragons: Red, Green, and White (four of each) | 12 |
| Flowers | 8 |
| Jokers | 8 |
Jokers are what make a set truly American. If a set has no jokers, it was made for another style of the game. Some sets include extras, such as spare jokers or blank tiles that can replace a tile that goes missing.
Four racks with pushers
Each player keeps their tiles on a rack, hidden from view. The attached pusher is used to slide your section of the wall toward the center of the table during play. Most American sets come with four.
The current card, one per player
The winning hands in American Mahjong change every year. Each spring, the National Mah Jongg League publishes a new card listing that year’s hands, and most groups play from it. Each player needs their own copy of the current card, which is ordered directly from the League. A large-print edition is available too.
Two dice
The dice decide who deals first and where the wall is broken at the start of each hand.
A table and four chairs
A square table about the size of a standard card table works best, close enough for everyone to reach the center comfortably.
Nice to have
- A mahjong mat. It quiets the shuffle, stops tiles from sliding, and protects your table.
- A bag or case. It keeps your set together at home and protects it on the way to a friend’s game.
- Coins or chips for scoring. Many tables keep a small dish of quarters; others prefer a scorepad.
- A scorecard and pencil, for keeping track over a long evening.
- A soft, lint-free cloth, for wiping tiles before they go back in the case.
Choosing your set
When you are ready to choose a set, ask three simple questions:
- Is it complete for American play? Look for 152 tiles, including eight jokers and eight flowers.
- Can you read it easily? Clear, generously sized engravings make a real difference across the table, especially in evening light.
- Do you love how it looks? A beautiful set is one you’ll be happy to bring out every week.
Ready to learn?
Once you have the essentials, our step-by-step guide to playing American Mahjong walks you through your first game, from building the wall to calling Mahjong.
