game
American Mahjong online — rules, facts, and a live table
American mahjong is the rack-and-joker cousin of the Chinese table. Tilehaus uses an original teaching card — four pungs and a natural pair, jokers filling pungs — not a National Mah Jongg League year card. Four seats, 13 tiles, dealer starts with 14.
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What you are looking at
American mahjong is the rack-and-joker cousin of the Chinese table. Tilehaus uses an original teaching card — four pungs and a natural pair, jokers filling pungs — not a National Mah Jongg League year card. Four seats, 13 tiles, dealer starts with 14.
The same ivory faces as Chinese mahjong, plus eight jokers. Racks, not a Charleston, on the first teaching hand.
Origin
American Mahjong It is associated with United States. Dating: 1920s United States, later organized around a yearly card.
Equipment
144 suit-and-honor tiles plus 8 jokers (152). Racks. This table does not deal flowers.
Players: 4. Typical duration: 45–90 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to what people search — for Google, voice, and assistants.
Is this official American Mah Jongg / NMJL?
No. The National Mah Jongg League card is copyrighted. Tilehaus ships an original teaching card: four pungs and a natural pair, with jokers filling pungs only. Same racks-and-jokers family, not the yearly league card.
How many tiles are in American mahjong?
A typical American set is 152: 144 suit-and-honor tiles plus 8 jokers (some boxes add flowers). Tilehaus deals 144 + 8 jokers. Each player starts with 13; the dealer starts with 14.
How do jokers work in American mahjong?
On this teaching table, jokers complete pungs and kongs. The pair must be two natural identical tiles. You cannot discard a joker as a wild claim for someone else’s pair.
What is the Charleston in American mahjong?
A passing ritual before play. This teaching table skips Charleston so you can learn jokers and the 14-tile shape first. A later module can add passing.
Can you play American mahjong online free?
Yes. Open the Tilehaus American teaching table in the browser. Four seats, bots fill empty chairs, no account.