How to Play American Mahjong: A Beginner's Friendly Guide

So you want to learn American mahjong?

Good news: you picked the friendliest version of the game. American mahjong is the social, laughter-filled game played at kitchen tables and clubhouses across the US — four players, beautiful tiles, a little strategy, and a lot of shouting "Mahjong!" (we call that winning moment Hule!).

This guide gives you the big picture. You won't master it in one read — nobody does — but you'll understand how a game flows and what you need for your first mahjong night.

What makes American mahjong different?

Three things set it apart from other versions:

• Jokers. American sets include 8 Joker tiles that act as wild cards — they can stand in for any tile in a group of three or more.
• The Charleston. Before play begins, players pass tiles to each other in a set pattern. Part strategy, part icebreaker.
• The annual card. Winning hands are defined by the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) card, which changes every spring and keeps the game fresh year after year. (The card is sold separately by the NMJL — every player buys their own each year.)

What you need to play

• An American mahjong set — 166 tiles including Jokers, flowers and seasons
• Racks and pushers — one per player, to hold tiles and push out your wall
• A mat (optional but lovely) — keeps tiles quiet and in place
• The current NMJL card for each player
• Four players, snacks, and a free evening

Our Macaron Mahjong Set includes the tiles, racks and storage in one box — just add the card and your friends.

How a game flows

1. Build the walls. Tiles are shuffled face-down and each player builds a wall in front of their rack.

2. Deal. Each player takes 13 tiles (East takes 14 and starts).

3. The Charleston. Players pass three tiles right, across, and left — then repeat in the other direction. This is where you start shaping your hand toward one of the hands on the card.

4. Pick and discard. On your turn, pick a tile, then discard one you don't need. Other players can call a discard to complete a group (a Pung, Kong or Quint) and expose it on their rack.

5. Mahjong! Complete a hand from the card — all your tiles in the right groups plus a pair — and you win the round. Then shuffle and play again. One game is never enough.

Three tips for your first night

• Pick one section of the card and aim for just two or three possible hands. Beginners lose by chasing everything.
• Watch the discards. What others throw away tells you what they are not collecting.
• Don't fear the Joker. Expose it proudly — it is the most fun tile in the box.

Ready to host?

Browse our American mahjong sets, grab the current NMJL card from the League, and text three friends. First order? Use code WELCOME10 for $10 off. Gather your friends — and shout HULE!