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how to play american mahjong

American Mahjong is a four-player tile game built around strategy, pattern-making, and a little luck. The goal is to complete a winning hand using combinations listed on the official National Mahjong League card.

the tiles

Suits
There are three numbered suits:

  • Dots
  • Bams
  • Craks

Each suit contains tiles numbered 1-9.

  • Winds: North, East, West, South
  • Dragons: Red, Green, Soap
  • Flowers
  • Jokers

terms to know

  • Pairs - 2 matching tiles
  • Pungs - 3 matching tiles
  • Kongs - 4 matching tiles
  • Quints - 5 matching tiles
  • Sextets - 6 matching tiles

setting up

  1. Each player builds a wall of tiles in front of them.
  2. Dice are rolled to determine the dealer (East).
  3. Tiles are dealt to each player, Walls to the left, dealing to the right.
  • Dealer starts with 14 tiles.
  • All other players begin with 13 tiles.

the charleston

Before gameplay begins, players exchange tiles during a series of passes called the Charleston.

  1. Pass 3 tiles to the right
  2. Pass 3 tiles across
  3. Pass 3 tiles to the left

If everyone agrees a second round of the Charleston proceeds

4. Pass 3 tiles to the left
5. Pass 3 tiles across
6. Pass 3 tiles to the right

After the Charleston is complete, a courtesy pass of 1-3 tiles to the person across from you is optional.

gameplay

Players take turns drawing and discarding tiles.

  1. Draw one tile.
  2. Decide which tile to discard.
  3. Place your discard in the center.

Play continues clockwise.

calling tiles

Players may call discarded tiles to complete combinations. When a tile is called, the completed set is placed face-up on the rack. A discarded tile can never be called for a single or pair, unless its for completing Mahjong.

jokers

Jokers cannot be used in pairs or single tiles. A player may exchange a real tile for a joker in an exposed set.

winning the game

When your tiles match a complete hand on the card, call: “Mahjong!”

what you need to play mahjong

Mahjong is best played with a full setup: mahjong tile set (6 blanks and 2 jokers removed), racks, mat, dice and NMJL card.
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