American Mahjong Glossary: All Terms & Definitions

A comprehensive reference of American Mahjong terminology. Whether you're a beginner learning the basics or an experienced player brushing up on rules, this glossary covers every term you'll encounter at the table.

Common Terms

Pung: 3 identical tiles. Kong: 4 identical tiles. Quint: 5 identical tiles (requires Jokers). Pair: 2 identical tiles. Exposure: tiles placed face-up after calling a discard. Dead Hand: a hand that cannot legally win. Charleston: the tile-passing ritual before gameplay. Wall: the tiles arranged face-down that players draw from.