A new group needs five things: an American set, four racks, a card for each player, two dice and a table for four. Most sets come with the racks and the dice, so the shopping list is usually a set and the cards.
An American set
The set is the one thing to get right. American Mah Jongg uses jokers and flowers, and a Chinese or Japanese set has no jokers, so it cannot play this game. Look for a set sold as an American mah jongg set.
Jokers and flowers: an American set has eight of each.
A game uses 152 tiles. A new American set usually has between 160 and 166, because it adds blank tiles and sometimes two spare jokers. Our article on how many tiles are in American Mah Jongg explains the extras, and why an older set may have fewer jokers than you need.
What to check before you buy:
- Eight jokers. An older or second-hand set may have fewer.
- The tiles are easy to read. Large, clear numbers in the corner help everyone at the table.
- Racks are included. Most American sets come with four.
- A case. Tiles are heavy, and a set without a case is hard to carry to a friend's house.
You can compare sets here: American mah jongg sets on Amazon.
Four racks
Each player keeps their tiles on a rack, standing up and facing them, so the other players can't see the tiles. Many racks have a pusher, an arm that slides the wall forward at the start of the game. If your set came without racks, look for mah jongg racks with pushers.
This year's card, one for each player
The card lists the hands you can win with, and the National Mah Jongg League prints a new one every year. Every player needs their own card at the table. The League sells it, in regular and large print, from its own store at nationalmahjonggleague.org. We don't link to other sellers for the card.
New to the card? Our article on how to read the card walks through one line at a time.
Two dice
The dice decide who is East and where the wall is broken. They come with almost every set. If yours are missing, any two ordinary dice will do.
A table for four
A square card table is the right size. A table cover or mat keeps the tiles from sliding and makes the game much quieter: mah jongg table covers.
What a new group can skip
You don't need a special mah jongg table, scoring coins or a carrying bag to start. Play a few games first, and buy those once you know your group will keep meeting.
Questions
Can I use a Chinese mah jongg set for American Mah Jongg?
No. American Mah Jongg needs eight jokers, and a Chinese set has none. Buy a set sold as an American mah jongg set.
Where do I buy the National Mah Jongg League card?
From the League, at nationalmahjonggleague.org. It comes out once a year, in regular and large print, and each player needs their own.
Do mah jongg sets come with racks?
Most American sets come with four racks and two dice. Check the listing before you buy, because some cheaper sets leave the racks out.
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