Guides
Straight answers to the questions every new player asks. Rules checked against the sources listed on each page.
- How to play American mahjongEverything you need for your first real game, in the order it happens at the table.
- Mahjong joker rulesJokers win games. They also cause most of the arguments. Here are the rules everyone at the table should agree on.
- How to read the mahjong cardFive rules unlock every line on the card, whatever year it is.
- When does the new mahjong card come out?Short answer: orders open in January, cards arrive in spring. Here's the timeline and how to get yours early.
- How to choose an American mahjong setSix things to check before you buy, so you don't end up with missing jokers or tiles nobody can read.
- American vs. Chinese vs. Japanese mahjongSame tiles, very different games. If you learned one, here's what changes in the others.
- Mahjong terms, in plain EnglishYour group says 'pung,' 'Soap' and 'quint' like it's English. Here's what they mean.
- Where to play mahjong near youLibraries, taprooms, restaurants and new mahjong studios run weekly American mahjong games. Here's where to look, what it costs, and what to bring.