American Mahjong becomes easier when you understand the tiles, table setup and rhythm of a turn. Use this guide as a practical starting point, then follow the current card and the rules used by your group or organization.
01 — MEET THE TILES
Meet the American Mahjong Tiles
A standard American Mahjong set commonly includes Dots, Bams and Craks; East, South, West and North winds; red, green and white dragons; flowers; jokers; and replacement or blank tiles. Numbers and English suit labels help players identify tiles quickly.
Numbered Suits
Dots, Bams and Craks run from one through nine. Most sets include four of each numbered tile.
Honor & Special Tiles
Winds, dragons, flowers and jokers support the combinations shown on the current card.
American Identification
Arabic numbers and English labels distinguish American Mahjong tiles from many traditional sets.
02 — SET UP THE TABLE
Set Up the Table
- Seat four players and place racks and pushers in front of each player.
- Turn all tiles face down and mix them thoroughly.
- Build the walls according to the rules used by your group.
- Determine the dealer, commonly called East.
- Deal tiles so each player can organize a starting hand on the rack.
03 — BASIC TURN FLOW
Basic Turn Flow
After the Charleston and any optional passes are complete, play generally moves through a draw-and-discard rhythm. A player draws a tile, evaluates the hand against the current card and discards one tile. Other players may call a discard only when the applicable rules allow it.
04 — THE CHARLESTON
The Charleston
The Charleston is the tile-passing sequence used in American Mahjong before regular play. Players pass groups of tiles in prescribed directions to improve their hands. The exact sequence and optional passes should follow the current rules used by your organization or group.
05 — READING THE CURRENT CARD
Reading the Current Card
The current card lists the valid hands for the season or year. Read each line carefully for suit requirements, exposed or concealed status, flower and joker use, and the value assigned to the hand. Do not rely on a card from a previous year.
06 — BEGINNER CHECKLIST
Beginner Checklist
- Use a complete American Mahjong set and the current card.
- Learn the three suits, winds, dragons, flowers and jokers.
- Keep tiles organized on your rack while comparing possible hands.
- Confirm the Charleston sequence before passing tiles.
- Announce discards clearly and keep the table moving steadily.
- Ask which house or organization rules the group follows.
07 — FAQ
Beginner Questions
How many players are needed?
American Mahjong is normally played by four people, although groups may use adapted rules for fewer players.
Do I need a current card?
Yes. The card defines the valid hands and is updated periodically by the issuing organization.
Can jokers be used anywhere?
No. Joker use depends on the hand and combination. Follow the current card and applicable rules.
What is a concealed hand?
A concealed hand generally cannot use called discards to expose combinations, except where the applicable rules allow the winning tile.
How does a player win?
A player completes a valid hand shown on the current card and declares Mahjong.