Mahjong is played in several distinct regional styles. Pick your version to get the rules.
Mahjong is a tile-based game that originated in China and spread across the world, picking up regional variations along the way. The core idea is the same in every style: draw and discard tiles to build winning hands. But the scoring systems, special hands, and specific rules vary significantly between regions. Choose your style below to get the right rules.
The most widely played style worldwide. Clear point values, exciting special hands, and a fast pace. Start here if you're new to Mahjong.
View rulesThe original form of the game. Complex scoring with doubles and a deep strategic tradition.
View rulesPlayed from the National Mah Jongg League card. Uses jokers and racking. Widely played in North America.
View rulesThe Japanese style popularized by anime and online play. Features the riichi declaration and a detailed scoring system called yaku.
View rulesUses 16-tile hands (one extra tile compared to most styles). Features a "blood hand" bonus system and no-draw games.
View rulesA variant combining Cantonese and Hokkien elements. Known for all-pay scoring where all three losers pay the winner.
View rulesUses only three suits (no honors tiles). Known for its simple scoring and the "bloody end" rule requiring the same player to win every round.
View rulesIf you're new to Mahjong: start with Hong Kong Mahjong. It's the most popular worldwide, has clear rules, and is what most Mahjong sets and apps are designed for. If you're in North America and playing with a National Mah Jongg League card, you're playing American Mahjong. If you play online or watch Japanese content, you're likely playing Riichi.
Not sure which Mahjong to learn? If you're in the US, start with American Mahjong (uses a card). If you want the Asian version most widely played worldwide, go with Hong Kong Mahjong.
All Mahjong variants share the same tile set (bamboo, characters, circles, winds, dragons) and the same goal: complete a winning hand before opponents do. The differences are in what constitutes a valid hand, how scoring works, and special rules like flowers and jokers.
American Mahjong uses a yearly card (published by the National Mah Jongg League) that defines which hands are valid that year. Asian variants have fixed hand structures that don't change. American Mahjong also uses jokers; most Asian variants don't.
| Variant | Players | Jokers? | Complexity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American | 4 | Yes | Medium | US players, social groups |
| Hong Kong | 4 | No | Medium | Most widely played Asian form |
| Classical Chinese | 4 | No | High | Purists, historical form |
| Riichi (Japanese) | 4 | No | High | Competitive, tournament play |
| Taiwanese | 4 | No | Medium-High | Taiwanese community play |
| Singaporean | 4 | No | Medium | Southeast Asian community |
A standard set has 144 tiles: 36 bamboo, 36 characters, 36 circles, 16 winds, 12 dragons, and 8 bonus tiles (4 flowers, 4 seasons). American sets include jokers (typically 8), bringing the total to 152.
Mahjong is traditionally played by exactly 4 players. There are 3-player variants (used in some Japanese and simplified versions) that remove one suit.
Calling "Mahjong!" declares that you've completed a winning hand. It's equivalent to "Gin!" in Gin Rummy. All other players must then verify your hand is valid according to the rules you're using.
Riichi is a declaration that your hand is one tile away from completion and you're not changing it. You stake a bet, and if you win, you score extra points. The Riichi declaration is what gives the Japanese variant its name.
No. Modern Mahjong sets sold internationally have Arabic numerals on the tiles alongside characters. You'll recognize the bamboo and circle suits visually within a few games.
Mahjong solitaire (the matching tile puzzle on computers) is completely unrelated to the real card game. Real Mahjong is a 4-player draw-and-discard game similar in structure to Rummy. The tile art is shared; the gameplay has nothing in common.