Beginner lessons · free

American Mah Jongg lessons for beginners

American Mah Jongg is a game for four players using colorful tiles instead of cards — a little like rummy. It's different from Chinese or other styles: each year the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) publishes a card of winning hands, and you collect and trade tiles until your rack matches one of them.

No experience needed and no account required. Go at your own pace — about 45 minutes of reading in all, plus practice whenever you like.

What the beginner lessons cover

1. 01The 2-Minute ExplainerWhat makes American Mah Jongg its own game. · ~2 min
2. 02Your Rack & Table GearRacks, pushers, the card, dice and score chips — what each piece is for. · ~5 min
3. 03Tiles & GroupsCraks, Bams, Dots, Dragons, Winds, Flowers and Jokers. · ~6 min
4. 04Reading the CardColors, (X) and (C), and the 13-vs-14 tile count. · ~6 min
5. 05The Charleston ProtocolRight, Across, Left — then optionally again. · ~8 min
6. 06Jokers & SwapsWhere Jokers go, where they can't, and how to swap. · ~5 min
7. 07Etiquette & CallingCalling tiles, exposures, and reaching Table-Ready. · ~7 min
8. 08Winning, Priority & Dead HandsDeclaring Mah Jongg, who gets a tile, and when a hand is out. · ~6 min

After the lessons

• Practice drills for tiles, the Charleston and reading the card.
• A practice game against three computer players.
• Find a real table in NYC, Long Island, Westchester or North Jersey.

Not a real card. Fictional practice card — NOT the official NMJL card. Its hands are made up for learning. To play real games, buy the current NMJL card from the League and study it. Real hands, sections and points will be different.

Lessons follow National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) rules. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the NMJL — buy the current official card from the League to play real games.