Mahjong set guide
The right mahjong set depends on which game you play. The tiles look alike, but an American set has jokers and racks that the others don’t, and a Japanese set leaves out the flowers.
Which set for which game
| Set | Tiles | What’s different |
|---|---|---|
| American | 152 or more | 8 jokers, 8 flowers, usually four racks with pushers |
| Chinese / Hong Kong | 144 | 4 flowers and 4 seasons, no jokers or racks |
| Japanese riichi | 136 | No flowers; often red fives, and point sticks instead of chips |
For mahjong solitaire any set works; online you can play free here.
What comes in an American set
- Tiles: three suits (dots, bams, cracks), winds, dragons, flowers and jokers. See every tile.
- Racks: one per player to stand tiles up and hold exposed sets. Pushers, the arms on the racks, push the wall forward.
- Dice to decide where the wall is broken.
- A case, often with space for the card. The yearly card itself is sold separately by the National Mah Jongg League.
Things to look for
- Readable tiles: clear artwork and numbers in the corners make learning much easier.
- Matching backs: tiles should be the same color and thickness, so no tile can be recognized from behind.
- Enough jokers: American sets need eight; spares help if one goes missing.
- Weight and sound: heavier tiles feel better and sit flat; a mat softens the noise.
- Travel sets: smaller tiles in a compact case for trips; fine for casual games.
Mahjong mats and accessories
A mat protects the table and keeps the shuffle quiet. Racks with built-in pushers make building and moving the wall simpler, and a card holder keeps the yearly card in view. None of these is required to play.
Questions
How many tiles are in a mahjong set?
Chinese and Hong Kong sets have 144. American sets have at least 152, because they add eight jokers; many include a few spare jokers or blanks. Japanese riichi sets use 136.
Can I play American mahjong with a Chinese set?
Not as it comes: there are no jokers. Some players add stickers to blank or spare tiles to make jokers, but most buy an American set with racks.
Do I need a mahjong mat?
No, but a mat quiets the tiles, stops them sliding, and keeps them off a nice table. Felt or neoprene mats are the most common.
What size mahjong tiles should I get?
Larger tiles are easier to read and handle; smaller travel sets save space. If several players have trouble reading small print, choose a set with bigger tiles and clear numbers in the corners.
