The tiles
American Mahjong is played with 152 tiles featuring characters, bamboos, circles, winds, dragons, flowers, jokers and blanks. The tactile rhythm of building and moving the wall is part of the pleasure.
Strategy meets connection
What is American Mahjong?
A vibrant four-player tile game of pattern recognition, decisions and connection—engaging enough to keep growing with you, and deeply social from the very first hand.
Learn in Mahj 101
The goal
Players build a winning hand by matching one of the combinations on the current National Mah Jongg League card. The card changes annually, which keeps familiar play fresh.
Draw & discard
Each turn begins by drawing a tile and usually ends by discarding one. Players may call certain discarded tiles, use jokers in permitted sets and adjust their plan as the table changes.
Strategy
A good hand asks you to observe what is available, read the card, protect your options and know when to change direction. Luck starts the conversation; thoughtful choices carry it forward.
The social magic
Four seats create a natural gathering. The game leaves room for conversation, laughter and repeated rituals—one reason friendships grow so easily around a Mahjong table.