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American Mahjong (Mah Jongg) Rules: Complete Beginner's Guide
American mahjong has its own rhythm — the Charleston, jokers you can’t use in a pair, and a card of hands that changes every year. These guides cover the rules and the strategy that turns a beginner into a regular.
Download the rules as a PDF
Want a printable copy for your next game night or card party? Grab the free American Mahjong Rules PDF — a one-page quick-reference plus the full beginner walkthrough, ready to print or share.
American Mahjong vs Chinese Mahjong: the key rule differences
American mahjong (often spelled mah jongg) and Chinese mahjong share the same roots but play very differently. American sets use 166 tiles with 8 jokers and English labels, and every legal hand comes from an annual National Mah Jongg League card. Chinese sets use 144 unlabeled tiles, no jokers, and scoring based on a fixed points system rather than a card. If you are learning how to play American mahjong, follow the NMJL card — not a Chinese rulebook.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play American mahjong?
Each player draws and discards to build a winning hand shown on the annual NMJL card. Before play, all four players pass tiles in a ritual called the Charleston, then take turns drawing, claiming discards, and exposing sets until someone completes their hand.
How many players play American mahjong?
American mahjong is designed for four players. Some groups adapt it for three, but the standard game and the NMJL card assume four seats.
What is the Charleston in American mahjong?
The Charleston is a pre-game exchange where each player passes three tiles to the right, then left, then across, to improve their starting hand. Jokers are never passed during the Charleston.
How many tiles are in an American mahjong set?
A standard set has 166 tiles: the three suits, winds, dragons, flowers, seasons, and 8 jokers, as required by National Mah Jongg League rules.
Do I need the National Mah Jongg League card to play?
Yes. The annual NMJL card lists every legal winning hand. You play to the current year’s card (the 2026 edition for 2026 play).
What are jokers for in American mahjong?
Jokers are wild tiles that stand in for any tile inside a group of three or more. They let you complete kongs, quints, and sextets, but they cannot be used in pairs. A set includes 8 jokers.
How long does a game of American mahjong take?
A typical four-player game runs 20–40 minutes, depending on the hands and how experienced the group is. A full card of hands can fill an evening.
What is the difference between American mahjong and Chinese mahjong?
American (mah jongg) uses 166 tiles with jokers and an annual card of hands; Chinese uses 144 tiles with no jokers and fixed scoring. The tiles, the Charleston, and the card are unique to the American game.