What Do You Need to Play American Mahjong?
American Mahjong does not take much gear, but a few pieces are specific to the game. Here is the short list, whether you are buying for yourself or as a gift.
What is in a set
A full American Mahjong set has 152 tiles:
| Tiles | How many |
|---|---|
| Bams, Cracks, Dots (1 to 9, four of each) | 108 |
| Winds (North, East, West, South) | 16 |
| Dragons (green, red, and the Soap) | 12 |
| Flowers | 8 |
| Jokers | 8 |
| Total | 152 |
Many sets also ship with a couple of spare jokers and a few blank tiles to replace any that go missing.
The essentials
- A mahjong set with the 152 tiles above.
- Four racks, one per player, to hold and angle your tiles. Most sets include them. Racks with a back ledge (pushers) help build the wall.
- Dice, to decide the dealer and where the wall is broken.
- The current year NMJL card, one per player ideally. This is the piece newcomers miss, and it is not optional. (How to read it.)
- Four players and a table. Mahjong is a four-player game. A square card table is perfect.
Nice to have
- Coins, chips, or tokens for keeping score and settling up.
- A felt or padded mat, which quiets the tiles and makes them easier to pick up.
- A storage case, if your set did not come in one.
What it costs
You can get started without spending much:
- The NMJL card is inexpensive and is bought fresh each year.
- A starter tile set is the bigger purchase. Budget sets are modest; heirloom-quality sets with hand-finished tiles cost more. A mid-range set is plenty to start, and the game plays exactly the same on either.
Where to buy
The yearly card comes from the National Mah Jongg League. Tile sets, racks, and accessories come from mahjong retailers and the usual online stores. If it is a gift, a set plus the current card together makes a complete, ready-to-play present.
Your starter checklist
- A 152-tile American Mahjong set
- Four racks (pushers a bonus)
- Two dice
- The current year NMJL card
- Coins or chips for scoring
- Three friends and a table
What if you do not have all of that yet?
You do not need a set, a card, or three friends to start learning. You can learn the tiles, the Charleston, and how hands come together on your own, at your own pace, and walk into your first real game already knowing what to do.
Start with one free hand
Our daily challenge gives you a real American Mahjong hand every day, with the card built right in. No set required.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a special table to play?
- No. Any flat table that seats four works. A square card table is ideal, and a felt mat is a nice touch because it quiets the tiles, but neither is required.
- Can four players share one card?
- You can, but it is much easier if each player has their own copy of the current year card. They are inexpensive.
- How many jokers come in a set?
- A standard 152-tile set includes eight jokers. Many sets add a couple of spares plus blank tiles.
- What is the minimum I need to start a real game?
- A 152-tile set, four racks, dice, four players, and a current NMJL card for the table. Everything else is comfort.
- Do I have to buy a new card every year?
- Yes. The National Mah Jongg League issues a new card each year and the hands change, so last year's card will not match this year's game.
No signup needed. New to the game? Start with June’s free lessons.