How Many Jokers Are in American Mahjong?

American Mahjong has 8 Joker tiles. These wild tiles stand in for any tile in groups of 3 or more, which makes them extremely valuable for finishing hands.

American Mahjong sets contain 8 Joker tiles. That's one of the features that separates it from Chinese and other Asian variants, which have no Jokers at all. These wild cards stand in for any tile in groups of 3 or more (Pungs, Kongs, Quints), so they're essential for finishing many hands. With only 8 Jokers among 152 tiles, they're rare and highly valued. Skilled players never pass them during the Charleston. Getting more Jokers in your initial deal is a real advantage, but experienced players can still win with few or no Jokers by picking the right hands from the current NMJL card.