What you need to start playing mahjong
To play American Mah Jongg you need just two things: an American mahjong set and the current National Mah Jongg League card. Everything else is optional, and you should not buy a nice set until you know you love the game.
The good news for anyone curious about mahjong: you need almost nothing to start, and you should not buy a beautiful set until you know you love the game. Here is exactly what the game requires, what is nice to have, and what to skip for now.
To actually play, you need two things
- An American mahjong set. That is the 152 tiles, four racks and a few dice. See how the tiles break down if you are curious what is inside.
- The current National Mah Jongg League card. This small card lists every legal winning hand for the year, and it is what makes American Mah Jongg its own game. A new card is published annually, so you replace it each year.
Start here: you do not need to own either one to try the game. Nearly every class and group has sets and cards to use while you learn. Play a few times first, then buy.
The NMJL card, explained
When people say "the card," they mean the official card from the National Mah Jongg League. It is inexpensive and comes in standard and large-print versions. Because a fresh card comes out every year, part of the fun each spring is learning the new hands together. You build your tiles to match one of the hands printed on it, so the card is genuinely non-optional for American play.
Choosing a set, when you are ready
Once you know you are hooked, a set is where the joy and the price range both live. A few things worth knowing:
- Tile size and readability. If you will play with moms of a range of ages, larger tiles and clear numbers matter more than a pretty case.
- Pushers and racks. Racks with pushers make building the wall easier, which your table will thank you for.
- Jokers included. Make sure a set includes jokers, since American play depends on them. Most do.
- Price range. Starter sets are modest. Heirloom and custom sets climb quickly. Neither plays better than the other, so buy for how it feels in your hands, not status.
Nice to have, not required
- A felt or a mahjong mat so tiles are quieter and easier to shuffle.
- A large-print card if anyone at the table prefers it.
- A small zip pouch for jokers and dice so nothing wanders off.
What to skip for now
Skip the gorgeous collector set, the branded accessories and the strategy books until you have played enough to know what you actually want. The game rewards table time, not gear. When you are ready to host your own table, here is how to host a mahjong night that people actually come back to.