American Mahjong vs Chinese Mahjong: What’s the Difference?

If you are shopping for a Mahjong set, one of the first questions is whether you need an American Mahjong set or a Chinese Mahjong set. They share the same roots, but the way they are played can be quite different.

American Mahjong

American Mahjong is widely played in the United States. It commonly uses 152 tiles, including jokers, along with racks and a current-year card that lists valid hands. Many groups also use the Charleston, a passing sequence at the beginning of the game.

Chinese Mahjong

Chinese Mahjong can vary by region and rule style. It often uses a different tile count and does not usually rely on jokers or an annual card in the same way American Mahjong does.

Which set should you buy?

If you are joining a U.S. Mahjong group, playing with friends who use the annual card, or learning from American Mahjong tutorials, an American Mahjong set is usually the right choice.

Before ordering, check that the product includes the tile count and accessories you need. For U.S. customers, U.S.-based fulfillment can also make delivery easier and faster than long overseas shipping.