What is American Mahjong?

American Mahjong is a 4-player tile game using 152 tiles. It's a variant of the traditional Chinese game with its own additions: Jokers, the Charleston tile-passing ritual, and a card of winning hands that changes every year.

American Mahjong is its own version of the tile game, popular in the United States since the 1920s. It uses 152 tiles, including 8 Jokers. Exactly four players build walls, pass tiles during the Charleston, and then play rounds trying to complete hands that match patterns on the official NMJL card. The National Mah Jongg League publishes a new card every year, setting the valid winning hands for that season. American Mahjong blends strategic gameplay with a strong social side, which is why so many groups meet regularly to play.