If Chinese Mahjong is the traditionalist and Japanese Riichi is the tactician, then American Mahjong is the charismatic outsider — reinvented, rule-bent, and unmistakably unique. It has jokers, it has yearly cards, and it has some of the most passionate communities I’ve ever seen.
I first played American Mahjong in Florida. A woman named Carol handed me a National Mahjongg League card, raised an eyebrow, and said, “Good luck, honey.” I didn’t win. But I did get hooked — not just by the gameplay, but by how fun and social it was.
Let’s break it down, card and all.
How to Play American Mahjong
💻 Want to play online? I Love Mahj is the best American Mahjong platform for beginners — featuring live games, built-in scoring, and tutorials.
The Tiles
American Mahjong uses 152 tiles:
- 3 suits: Dots, Bams (Bamboos), and Craks (Characters) — 1 through 9
- Winds: East, South, West, North
- Dragons: Red, Green, White
- Jokers: 8 wild tiles (unique to this variant)
- Bonus tiles: Flowers (8 total, no Seasons)
These Jokers can be game-changers — but only in certain combinations.
The NMJL Card
This is where American Mahjong flips the table. Instead of building any legal hand, players must create hands from a yearly official card published by the National Mahjongg League (NMJL).
Each card contains 50–60 unique hands categorized by:
- Numbers
- Quints (five-tile groupings)
- Consecutive runs
- 13579 or 2468 patterns
- Singles & pairs
Think of it like Bingo — except the whole game revolves around this card. Every player uses the same set of possible hands, and they change every year.
Setup & Gameplay
- Build walls and roll dice to determine East (dealer)
- Each player gets 13 tiles, East takes 14
- The Charleston begins — a signature feature of American Mahjong:
- It’s a three-part tile-passing phase done before play begins
- Players pass three tiles to the right, left, across, and so on in structured rounds
- It’s used to refine your hand early and adds a fun layer of bluffing and psychology
After the Charleston:
- Draw and discard as usual
- Try to complete one of the valid hands from the NMJL card
- Declare “Mahjong!” when done — Jokers allowed (with limits)
Joker Rules
- Jokers can substitute any tile in a pung, kong, or quint
- Cannot be used in singles or pairs
- Jokers can be stolen from exposed sets if you have the natural tile
- Managing Jokers is a skill — use them wisely and protect them from being swapped
Winning
You win when you complete a valid NMJL hand, whether self-drawn or off another player’s discard.
Scoring is usually friendly (unless playing for money) and based on hand values listed on the card. Some hands are worth 25 points, others 30 or 40 depending on complexity.
How It Differs from Other Versions
| Feature | American Mahjong | Other Variants |
| Rule card | Required (NMJL card) | No card used |
| Jokers | Included | Not used |
| Tile count | 152 | 136–144 |
| Charleston | Yes (mandatory pre-game phase) | No |
| Hands | Fixed yearly hands | Open combinations |
| Wild tile swapping | Yes, via Joker exchange | Not allowed |
| Popular in | United States | China, Hong Kong, Japan, etc. |
It’s a very American take: bold, structured, and constantly updating.
Connor’s Beginner Tips
- Study the card. Highlight hands you understand. Focus on one section at first (like 13579 or Consecutive Runs)
- Don’t skip the Charleston. It’s crucial to shaping your hand — don’t just pass junk; think ahead
- Use Jokers early — but not carelessly. Don’t hold onto them too long, or they’ll be vulnerable
- Pay attention to what others are building. Even though you all use the same card, everyone goes for different hands
- Practice with 4 real players. American Mahjong’s full experience doesn’t come alive until you play with people, passing and swapping tiles in real-time
This version feels like Mahjong meets poker night — social, slightly chaotic, and oddly satisfying.
FAQ: American Mahjong Rules for Beginners
Can I play online?
Yes! I Love Mahj offers a free two-week trial and lets you play with real people using the official NMJL card.
Do I really need the NMJL card?
Yes — it’s essential. You can’t play without it because you’re building toward hands on that card only.
What’s the Charleston?
A pre-game passing phase where players exchange tiles to improve their hands before the game begins.
What do Jokers do?
They can sub in for any tile in a pung, kong, or quint — but never in pairs or singles.
Can I steal a Joker?
Yes, if someone has exposed a set with a Joker and you have the natural tile it replaces, you can swap and steal the Joker.
Is scoring complicated?
Not really. Each hand’s point value is listed on the NMJL card.
Can I play online?
Yes — platforms like RealMahjongg.com, MyJongg.net, and MahjongTime offer American-style Mahjong with official cards and AI or live opponents.
Final Thoughts: Why American Mahjong Deserves Your Attention
American Mahjong is like jazz. It plays by its own rules — sometimes literally — but it works. It’s more structured than the Chinese version and less rigid than Riichi, yet just as deep once you’re in the rhythm.
With its annual cards, powerful jokers, and the Charleston dance before the game even begins, this version has its own heartbeat. It’s fun, it’s fresh, and it’s fiercely loved by those who play it.
So if you’ve ever looked at an American Mahjong table and thought, “What the heck are they doing?” — now you know. And next time, you can join in.
Coming up next: a full comparison of all four styles so you can find your perfect match.
Let’s keep playing.
— Connor