American Mah Jongg

How to play American Mah Jongg

American Mah Jongg is the four-player game played in the United States. You and three computer opponents build hands from the card, swap tiles in the Charleston and use jokers to fill sets. Complete one of the hands on the card to win the round.

At a glance

American Mah Jongg is the four-player social version with themed scorecards. Read the card, build the hand, and win the round.

Game type

Mahjong

Players

Up to 4 players

Pieces

144 tiles

Best for

Playing with friends

• The round opens with the Charleston. Pick three tiles from your rack and pass them — first to the right, then across, then to the left. All four players pass at the same time.
• A complete hand is fourteen tiles. On your turn, draw a tile from the wall and then discard one; the discard goes face up into the middle.
• You may claim a discarded tile to complete a pung (three of a kind), a kong (four of a kind) or a quint (five of a kind). Unlike the Chinese game, American Mah Jongg has no runs.
• Jokers are wild, but only inside pungs, kongs and quints. A joker can never stand in for a pair, and never for a flower.
• A hand only counts if it matches one of the hands printed on the card. Press The Card at any time to see all of them.
• Complete a hand and call Mah Jongg. If the wall runs out before anyone does, the round is a draw.

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Frequently asked questions