Welcome to the Mahjong Rules glossary — your quick-reference guide to the most common (and confusing) terms in American Mahjong.
Whether you’re staring at your first rack or just trying to remember what a pung is, this list has you covered.
I’m Connor — I’ve played countless hands of American Mahjong, both around the kitchen table and online. If you’re learning or just need a refresher, this glossary will help everything click.
And if you want to practice real American Mahjong online, check out I Love Mahj — it follows the official NMJL rules and is perfect for beginners and veterans alike.
Charleston
A tile-passing phase at the beginning of every American Mahjong game. Think of it as a warm-up trade that helps shape your hand before play begins.
➡️ Learn how it works step by step in our guide: The Charleston Explained
Joker
A wild tile unique to American Mahjong. It can stand in for any tile in a pung, kong, or quint — but never in a pair. Powerful, but risky if misused.
➡️ Master Joker strategy here: How to Use Jokers in American Mahjong
Pung
Three identical tiles (e.g., three 6 Bamboos). If you call it quickly, it can lock in strong combinations and move you closer to a valid hand.
Kong
Four of a kind. It’s often declared by adding a fourth tile to an exposed pung. Kongs score well but can expose your hand’s direction to opponents.
Chow
A straight of three tiles in the same suit (like 3-4-5 Dots).
➡️ Note: Chows aren’t used in American Mahjong, but they’re essential in Chinese and Riichi versions.
Wall
The face-down stack of tiles that forms a square before play begins. Players draw from the wall to build and complete their hands.
Discard Pile
The group of tiles that players throw out each turn. Watching other players’ discards can reveal their strategies — or hide yours.
Riichi
A special declaration in Japanese Mahjong when a player is one tile away from winning.
➡️ Not part of American Mahjong, but good to know if you explore other styles later.
Ready to Play American Mahjong?
If these terms are starting to click, you’re ready to try a few real games.
You can:
- Learn the full American Mahjong Rules
- Practice online with I Love Mahj — the top platform for NMJL-style play
- Or explore our guides like The Charleston Explained and Joker Strategy
Connor’s Final Word
“When I first started, all this mahjong jargon felt like learning another language. But once I started playing American Mahjong online at I Love Mahj, everything made sense. The best way to learn the terms — is to use them.”