American Mahjong: Your Complete Guide to Cards, Charleston, and What Makes It Unique

Discover why American mahjong captivated millions—and how its unique rules, annual card system, and social spirit make it the perfect game for beginners and social players alike

If you’ve ever walked past a mahjong table in a community center or friend’s dining room in the United States, chances are you weren’t watching Chinese or Japanese mahjong—you were witnessing American mahjong in action. With its distinctive Charleston passing, colorful annual cards, and eight joker tiles, American mahjong has become a beloved social institution across North America.

But what exactly makes American mahjong different? Why do players need that special card? And how did a centuries-old Chinese game transform into something uniquely American?

Whether you’re curious about the game your grandmother plays every Thursday, looking to join a local mahjong group, or simply want to understand how American mahjong fits into the broader mahjong family, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

Let’s dive into the wonderfully social, surprisingly strategic world of American mahjong.

What Is American Mahjong?

American mahjong is a distinct variation of the traditional Chinese tile game that evolved in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s. While it shares the basic tile-matching concept with other mahjong styles, American mahjong developed its own unique character through several key innovations.

The defining features of American mahjong

American mahjong distinguishes itself through several elements that make it immediately recognizable:

• The NMJL card system: Players use an official card that lists all valid winning hands, which changes annually
• The Charleston: A formalized tile-passing ritual at the game’s beginning
• Jokers: Eight wild tiles that can substitute for most tiles
• Fixed hands: All winning combinations are predetermined and listed on the card
• Simplified scoring: A straightforward point system without complex calculations

Think of American mahjong as mahjong’s fun, social cousin. Where Chinese mahjong rewards improvisation and Japanese mahjong demands precision, American mahjong says, “Here’s your card, here are your options, now let’s have some fun.”

A brief origin story

Mahjong arrived in America in the early 1920s during a cultural fascination with all things Asian. The game exploded in popularity, but with no standardized rules, every group played differently. Confusion reigned.

Enter the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL), founded in 1937 by a group of New York players who wanted to bring order to the chaos. They created a standardized rule set and introduced the concept of the annual card listing official hands. This innovation solved the “house rules” problem while adding an element of yearly novelty that keeps the game fresh.

Who plays American mahjong today?

American mahjong has traditionally been associated with Jewish American communities, particularly women’s social groups, though its appeal extends far beyond any single demographic. Today, you’ll find American mahjong played in:

• Community centers and senior living facilities across the United States
• Suburban mahjong clubs and regular game nights
• Cruise ships and resorts (many now offer mahjong as a regular activity)
• Multigenerational family gatherings
• Increasingly, younger players are discovering the game through their parents or grandparents

The game’s social nature and fixed hand system make it particularly appealing for regular play groups who want a game that’s engaging but not overwhelmingly complex.

Mahjong Around the World: How Different Cultures Play

The Heart of American Mahjong: Understanding the Card

If you take away one thing about American mahjong, make it this: the card is everything. Unlike Chinese or Japanese mahjong, where you learn patterns that stay consistent, American mahjong revolves entirely around the official card published annually by the National Mah Jongg League.

What is the NMJL card?

The NMJL card is a printed guide (about the size of a large bookmark) that lists every valid winning hand for that year. Think of it as the game’s rulebook, scorecard, and strategy guide all rolled into one essential reference.

Each card includes:

• Multiple hand categories organized by section (2024, Consecutive Run, 369, Like Numbers, Quints, Singles and Pairs, Winds-Dragons)
• Specific tile combinations required for each hand, shown using abbreviated notation
• Point values for each hand vary based on complexity
• Exposure rules indicating whether hands must be concealed or can be exposed
• Special notations for hands requiring specific tiles or matching suits

The card changes every year on April 1st, meaning the hands you memorized last year might not exist this year. This annual refresh keeps the game dynamic and prevents autopilot play.

How to read the card

The card uses shorthand notation:

• D = Dragon (Red, Green, White)
• F = Flower tiles
• N, E, W, S = Wind tiles (North, East, West, South)
• Numbers represent numbered tiles in any suit (Bamboo, Character, Dot)
• Parentheses indicate tiles that must be in the same suit

For example, a hand reading “(111) (222) (333) (444) DD” means:

• Three 1s in one suit
• Three 2s in the same suit
• Three 3s in the same suit
• Three 4s in the same suit
• A pair of any Dragon

The parentheses tell you those number groups must all be in matching suits—all Bamboo, all Characters, or all Dots.

Card categories and sections

The NMJL card organizes hands into thematic sections:

2024 Section (or current year): Hands specifically designed for that year, often incorporating the year’s digits creatively.

Consecutive Run: Hands featuring sequential numbers, like “111 222 333 444 55.”

369 Section: Hands using only 3s, 6s, and 9s—often considered lucky numbers.

Like Numbers: Hands requiring the same number repeated in different suits.

Quints: Hands featuring five of the same tile (possible because of jokers).

Singles and Pairs: Hands built from pairs and single tiles rather than three-of-a-kind groupings.

Winds-Dragons: Hands heavily featuring honor tiles.

Each section typically contains 3-6 different hand variations, giving you roughly 40-50 different winning possibilities each year.

Getting your card

Official NMJL cards can be purchased through:

• The National Mah Jongg League website (www.nationalmahjonggleague.org)
• Many mahjong retailers and game shops
• Local mahjong clubs (which sometimes do group orders)

Cards come in standard and large print sizes. If playing regularly, many players keep cards in protective covers to prevent wear.

Important note: Using unauthorized copies violates copyright. The NMJL is a non-profit organization that relies on card sales to maintain operations.

Setting Up an American Mahjong Game

Before you can master the Charleston or decode your card, you need to set up properly. American mahjong setup has unique elements that distinguish it from other styles.

What you need to play

The tiles: An American mahjong set contains 152 tiles

• 36 Bamboo tiles (four each of 1-9)
• 36 Character tiles (four each of 1-9)
• 36 Dot tiles (four each of 1-9)
• 16 Wind tiles (four each: North, East, West, South)
• 12 Dragon tiles (four each: Red, Green, White)
• 8 Joker tiles (the big difference—eight jokers!)
• 8 Flower tiles (optional)

Additional equipment

• Four racks to hold tiles
• Two dice
• NMJL cards for all players
• Score cards or chips

The deal and initial setup

1. Building the walls: Each player builds a wall of tiles face down, 19 tiles long and two tiles high (38 tiles per player). Walls are pushed together to form a square.
2. Determining the dealer: Roll the dice to determine East (the dealer). The highest roll becomes East, positions proceed counter-clockwise.
3. Breaking the wall: East rolls both dice. Count that many tiles from the right end of East’s wall and break there.
4. Dealing tiles: Starting from the break, each player takes four tiles at a time until everyone has 12, then one more (13 total). East takes one additional tile (14 to start).

East starts with 14 tiles because East discards first.

The Charleston: American Mahjong’s Unique Opening Ritual

Here’s where American mahjong gets really interesting. Before actual gameplay begins, there’s the Charleston—a formalized tile-passing sequence that doesn’t exist in any other mahjong style.

What is the Charleston?

The Charleston is a mandatory passing ritual where players exchange tiles with each other in a specific sequence. It happens after the initial deal but before the first discard, giving everyone a chance to improve their hand before committing to a strategy.

The name supposedly comes from the 1920s dance craze, as players pass tiles across and around the table in a rhythmic pattern.

How the Charleston works

First Charleston (mandatory):

1. Right: Each player passes three tiles face-down to the player on their right
2. Across: Each player passes three tiles across to the opposite player
3. Left: Each player passes three tiles to the player on their left

Second Charleston (mandatory):

Repeat the exact same sequence—right, across, left.

Optional “Across” (optional):

After the Second Charleston, players may optionally pass 1-3 tiles directly across. This is simultaneously agreed upon.

That’s six mandatory passes of three tiles each, plus one optional pass of 1-3 tiles.

Charleston strategy basics

What to pass

• Tiles that don’t fit any hands on your card
• Excess tiles from suits you’re not using
• Singles when you need multiples
• Honor tiles if you’re going for numerical hands

What to keep

• Tiles that appear in multiple possible hands
• Pairs or sets you’re building
• Jokers (always keep jokers during Charleston!)
• Tiles that give you flexibility

The Charleston is where American mahjong’s social nature shines. Unlike the silent intensity of Japanese riichi, American players often banter during passes.

How to Play: Basic Game Flow

With the Charleston complete, actual gameplay begins. American mahjong follows a turn-based structure that will feel familiar if you’ve played other mahjong styles, with some important differences.

Turn structure

On your turn:

1. Draw or claim: Either draw one tile from the wall OR claim a discarded tile to complete an exposure
2. Meld (optional): If you claimed a discard or drew a completing tile, you may expose it
3. Discard: Place one unwanted tile face-up in the center
4. Announce: Clearly name your discard

Play moves counter-clockwise: East, South, West, North, repeat.

Exposing tiles (melding)

You can expose sets at almost any time by claiming discards from any player.

When someone discards a tile you need to complete a pung (three of a kind) or kong (four of a kind), call “Call!” Then expose those tiles face-up on your rack and discard.

Important rules

• You can only call for pungs/kongs, not sequences
• Some hands on the card must remain concealed (marked with “C”)
• Once you expose, you reveal information about your hand
• You cannot change to a different hand after exposing if exposed tiles don’t fit

Using jokers: The wild card advantage

Jokers are American mahjong’s secret weapon—wild tiles that can substitute for almost anything.

Joker rules

• Jokers can be used in pungs, kongs, or quints of any number or suit
• Jokers CANNOT be used in pairs (the two matching tiles completing your hand)
• Jokers CANNOT replace tiles in “Singles and Pairs” section hands
• Jokers can be exchanged: If an opponent has an exposed joker and you have the natural tile it represents, you can exchange on your turn

The exchange rule adds a strategic wrinkle. Expose jokers early, and you risk giving opponents tiles they need.

Winning the hand (calling mahjong)

You win by completing any valid hand shown on the NMJL card—no more, no less. When you complete your hand, call “Mahjong!” and expose all tiles.

Your hand must match the card exactly:

• Correct tile combinations
• Correct suit requirements
• Correct number of jokers
• Matching the exposure pattern

If your hand doesn’t match any card hand precisely, it’s not valid—there’s no “close enough.”

Wall game: If all tiles are drawn and no one declares mahjong, the hand ends with no winner. Many casual games simply shuffle and restart.

American Mahjong Scoring Made Simple

One of American mahjong’s biggest appeals is its straightforward scoring system. Forget complex calculations—American scoring is delightfully simple.

Basic scoring structure

American mahjong uses a fixed-value system where each hand on the NMJL card has a predetermined point value:

• 25 points: Simple hands, often exposed or using common patterns
• 30 points: Moderate difficulty hands
• 35-40 points: More complex hands
• 50 points: Difficult hands, often concealed or requiring specific tiles
• 75+ points: Rare, highly specific hands

The winner collects their hand’s point value from all three losing players. Win with a 35-point hand? You collect 35 points from each of three other players (105 total).

Payment variations

Some groups implement slight variations:

• Concealed bonus: Completely concealed hands might receive double value
• Self-draw vs. discard win: Some groups pay extra for drawing your own winning tile
• East premium: Some traditional groups pay East double if East wins (becoming less common)

Why simple scoring works

American mahjong’s straightforward scoring supports its social nature. You can chat, enjoy snacks, and maintain conversation without complex mental calculations. The card does the work—you just play.

This contrasts sharply with Chinese mahjong’s five-minute calculations or Japanese riichi’s dozens of yaku and point values.

For beginners and social players, American mahjong’s scoring accessibility is a major advantage.

How to Score American Mahjong Simplified: Beyond Basic Mistakes to Strategic Mastery

Key Differences: American vs. Chinese vs. Japanese Mahjong

Now that you understand how American mahjong works, let’s directly compare it to Chinese and Japanese styles.

Direct comparison table

Feature	American Mahjong	Chinese Mahjong	Japanese Riichi
Tile count	152 tiles (8 jokers)	144 tiles (no jokers)	136 tiles (no jokers, no flowers)
Jokers	8 wild tiles	None	None
Winning hands	Fixed hands on annual card (40-50 options)	Flexible patterns	Flexible patterns with yaku
The Charleston	Yes, mandatory	No	No
Claiming tiles	Call from anyone for pungs/kongs	Call from previous player	Call only to win (except kan/pon)
Scoring	Fixed point values (25-75+)	Complex calculation	Complex han/fu system
Strategic focus	Card reading, hand commitment	Tile efficiency, flexibility	Defense, reading opponents
Game pace	Social, conversational	Moderate	Fast, intense, often silent
Learning curve	Moderate (card mastery)	Moderate to steep	Steep (yaku memorization)

Philosophical differences

Beyond mechanical rules, each style embodies different gaming philosophies:

American mahjong is about social connection and structured creativity. The annual card provides novelty within boundaries. It’s mahjong as social glue.

Chinese mahjong emphasizes flexibility and adaptation. You build whatever hand makes sense. It’s mahjong as improvisation.

Japanese riichi focuses on calculated risk and psychological warfare. It’s mahjong as a competitive mind game.

None is “better”—they serve different purposes and appeal to different players.

When American mahjong shines

American mahjong is ideal if you:

• Want a social game where conversation flows naturally
• Prefer a clear structure over memorizing complex scoring
• Enjoy annual novelty without learning an entirely new game
• Like declarative play, where exposed tiles reveal information
• Want accessibility for players of varying skill levels

Getting Started: Your First American Mahjong Game

You understand the rules—now let’s talk about actually playing your first game without feeling overwhelmed.

Before your first game

Study the card: Spend 30 minutes with the NMJL card before playing. Identify:

• Hands that look simple (often in a consecutive run section)
• Hands with lots of jokers (five-tile groups are joker-friendly)
• Color-specific vs. suit-flexible hands

Practice Charleston logic: Think through which tiles you’d pass in different scenarios.

Watch online: YouTube has numerous American mahjong tutorials showing real gameplay.

Hand selection strategy for beginners

When starting, choose hands that:

• Appear in multiple variations: Hands with several similar options give you flexibility
• Use common tiles: Avoid hands requiring four of a specific rare tile
• Allow jokers: Quints and kongs are easier to complete with wild tiles
• Match your Charleston results: If you received lots of dragons, consider a wind-dragon’s hand

Common beginner mistake: Committing too early. Better approach: Keep tiles that work for multiple similar hands until you see what develops.

Managing the social dynamics

American mahjong is inherently social—embrace it:

• Ask questions: Experienced players expect beginners to verify calls and hand patterns
• Don’t rush: Taking time during Charleston is normal
• Acknowledge errors gracefully: Everyone makes mistakes
• Contribute to conversation: The social atmosphere is part of the appeal

Digital practice options

Several online platforms let you practice:

• National Mah Jongg League app: Official NMJL digital version
• I Love Mahj: Popular app with solo and multiplayer modes
• Real Mah Jongg: Another digital option with tutorial features

Tips for Improving Your American Mahjong Play

You’ve played a few games and grasped the basics. Now let’s talk about developing genuine skill.

Mastering the card

Study patterns between sections: Many hands follow similar logic across categories.

Identify high-probability hands: Some hands are more completable based on tile frequency:

• Hands using 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (middle numbers with more flexibility)
• Hands allowing any suit (versus specific suit requirements)
• Hands with multiple joker positions

Create a card study routine: Spend 10 minutes daily with the card when a new year begins. By week three, you’ll have internalized most hands.

Charleston optimization

Early Charleston (passes 1-3): Pass obvious mismatches. Keep pairs and tiles appearing in multiple hands.

Late Charleston (passes 4-6): By now you should have direction. Pass with conviction.

Information gathering: Note what you receive. Three green dragons in one pass? Someone definitely isn’t using dragons.

Mid-game tile efficiency

Joker conservation: Don’t waste jokers on easy-to-complete sets. Save them for difficult combinations.

Dead tile awareness: If three of a specific tile have been discarded, the fourth is probably locked in someone’s hand.

Safe discarding: When opponents have exposed tiles, avoid discarding tiles that obviously complete their hands.

Common strategic mistakes

1. Charleston hoarding: Keeping too many “might be useful” tiles leaves you scattered
2. Exposure anxiety: Beginners often expose nothing, but exposure can apply pressure
3. Single-hand fixation: Falling in love with one hand ignores better options
4. Ignoring the discard pile: Not tracking discards means missing safety information
5. Joker waste: Using jokers on 2-tile combinations wastes flexibility

Finding Your American Mahjong Community

American mahjong is fundamentally social. Finding the right playing group enhances enjoyment and accelerates learning.

Where to find games

Local resources

• Community centers and recreation departments
• Senior centers (welcoming to all ages)
• Jewish Community Centers
• Libraries (increasingly hosting mahjong groups)
• Local mahjong clubs

Online directories

• NMJL website has a “Where to Play” directory
• Facebook groups for local mahjong players
• Meetup.com mahjong groups

Mahjong etiquette and culture

Table talk: Unlike the silence of Japanese riichi, conversation is encouraged. However, avoid obvious strategic hints.

Tile handling: Call discards clearly and place tiles face-up.

Timing: Keep a reasonable pace without extended deliberation.

Winning grace: A Brief celebration is fine, but don’t gloat. Congratulate the winners genuinely.

Food and drink: Many groups incorporate refreshments. Napkins prevent tile grease!

Multi-generational play

One of American mahjong’s greatest strengths is its appeal across age groups:

• Social interaction combats isolation
• Grandparents teaching grandchildren creates family bonding
• The card system provides a structure that helps younger players learn
• Cognitive engagement benefits older players

Beyond the Table: Your Complete Guide to Thriving in Mahjong Online Communities

Next Steps…

You’ve absorbed the rules, understand the card, and know what makes American mahjong unique. Here’s how to continue developing.

Setting practice goals

First 10 games: Focus on understanding the card and basic Charleston strategy.

Games 11-25: Work on hand recognition speed and tile efficiency.

Games 26-50: Develop opponent reading skills and strategic discarding.

Beyond 50 games: Refine your personal playing style.

Annual card transition

Each April 1st brings a new card:

Week 1: Study the new card thoroughly.

Week 2-3: Play several games focusing on learning hands rather than winning.

Week 4+: Normal play with new patterns internalized.

Resources for continued learning

Books

• “Mah Jongg: The Art of the Game” by Ann Israel and Gregg Swain
• “A Beginner’s Guide to American Mah Jongg” by Elaine Sandberg
• NMJL official rule book

Online resources

• NMJL official website
• American mahjong strategy blogs and YouTube channels
• Facebook groups dedicated to American mahjong

Considering other mahjong styles

Once comfortable with American mahjong, you might explore:

Chinese mahjong: For more strategic flexibility and improvisational hand-building.

Japanese riichi: For competitive, psychologically intense gameplay.

Learning multiple styles enriches your overall mahjong understanding. Tile-reading skills and strategic thinking transfer across variants.

Conclusion: Why American Mahjong Endures

American mahjong has thrived for nearly a century because it successfully balances accessibility with depth, structure with variety, and competition with social connection.

The annual card keeps the game fresh without requiring entirely new rules. The Charleston adds a unique strategic element found nowhere else. The jokers introduce flexibility that prevents frustration. And the simplified scoring lets players focus on the game itself.

Most importantly, American mahjong creates space for community. It’s a game designed for conversation, laughter, and connection—where the clacking of tiles provides rhythm for friendship.

Whether you’re drawn to American mahjong for its social nature, its puzzle-like structure, or simply because it’s what your grandmother plays, you’re joining a vibrant tradition that continues to grow.

The tiles are calling. The card is waiting. Your Charleston partners are ready.

It’s time to play.