Mahjong Journal

Peace, Love & Mahjong Retro 70s American Mahjong Set
American Mahjong Rules: A Complete Quick Reference
A quick reference to the rules of American Mahjong: the deal, the Charleston, calling discards, Jokers, dead hands and scoring. Read more...
Christmas mahjong set with engraved acrylic tiles
Christmas Mahjong Sets: How to Choose Holiday Tiles and Mats (2026)
Last updated: October 2026 A Christmas mahjong set turns the weekly game into a holiday tradition. The rules do not change, but the tiles do: ornaments instead of plain circles,... Read more...
Engraved American mahjong tiles on a table
American Mahjong Strategy: Tips to Win More Hands
Last updated: October 2026 Once you know the rules, American mahjong becomes a game of choices: which hand to chase, what to pass, when to call and which tile is... Read more...
Engraved American mahjong tiles from the Crown Jewel Pearl White set
Mahjong Terms: A Glossary of American Mahjong Words, from Pung to Kong
Last updated: October 2026 Sit down at an American mahjong table for the first time and you will hear a language of its own: someone calls a pung, someone else... Read more...
Holiday Red Christmas Mahjong Set ready for a holiday mahjong night
How to Host a Mahjong Night: Setup, Snacks, Favors and a Simple Timeline
Last updated: October 2026 A good mahjong night is equal parts game and gathering. The tiles come out, the snacks go round, and four friends lose track of time. Whether... Read more...
Gilded Lotus American Mahjong tiles with lotus Dots, bamboo Bams and lantern Craks
Mahjong Tile Names and Meanings: Every American Mahjong Tile Explained
Last updated: October 2026 Every mahjong tile has a name, and most of them carry a meaning that goes back more than a century. Once you know that the Dots... Read more...
Holiday Red Christmas Mahjong Set, a popular mahjong gift
Mahjong Gifts: Best Gift Ideas for Mahjong Lovers (2026)
The best mahjong gifts for every budget: dice and cases under $75, mats and racks under $150, engraved American mahjong sets and Christmas mahjong gifts. Read more...
Natural Gemstone Mahjong Dice, Set of 6
Mahjong Dice: What They're For and How to Use Them
What mahjong dice are for: rolling for East and breaking the wall in American mahjong, how many dice you need and how to choose a good set. Read more...
Crystal Clear Mahjong Racks, Set of 4
How to Play Mahjong with 2 or 3 Players (Siamese and 3-Player Rules)
How to play American mahjong with 3 players or 2 players (Siamese Mahjong): setup, the deal, the Charleston, two-hand play, winning and what you need. Read more...
Red Christmas Mahjong Mat
Mahjong Table Covers, Tablecloths and Mats: What to Use on Your Table
Mahjong table cover, tablecloth, topper or mat? How each one works, what size table you need for mahjong, and how to set up a quiet, non-slip table. Read more...
Holiday Red Christmas Mahjong Set
Mahjong for Beginners: How to Learn American Mahjong Step by Step
Mahjong for beginners: a step-by-step plan to learn American mahjong, from the tiles and Charleston to the card, plus common mistakes and what you need. Read more...
Clear Window Mahjong Case
Mahjong Bags and Cases: How to Choose One for Tiles and Racks
How to choose a mahjong bag: tile pouches vs structured cases, rack bags, totes for the whole set, and what to measure before you buy. Read more...
Ocean Garden American mahjong tiles laid out as a winning hand with scoring chips
American Mahjong Scoring: How Hands Are Paid
How scoring works in American mahjong: hand values on the card, who pays on a discard or self-pick win, the jokerless double, and a payout chart. Read more...
Vintage Christmas Mahjong Set
What's in an American Mahjong Set? Tiles, Jokers, Racks & More
A beginner's guide to the American Mahjong set: all 152 tiles explained, from Dots, Bams and Craks to Jokers, plus racks, pushers, dice and the card. Read more...
Amalfi Coast American mahjong tiles passed across the table during the Charleston
The Mahjong Charleston Explained: Passing Rules for American Mahjong
How the Charleston works in American Mahjong: the pass order (right, across, left), the optional second Charleston, courtesy pass, blind passes and tips. Read more...
Holiday Red Christmas Mahjong Set
How to Play American Mahjong: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Learn how to play American Mahjong step by step: building the wall, the Charleston, calling tiles, Jokers and winning. Simple rules for beginners. Read more...
Holiday Red Christmas Mahjong Set
How to Read a Mahjong Card: A Beginner's Guide to the NMJL Card
How to read a mahjong card for American Mahjong: what the colors, F, D, 0, N E W S, X and C mean, how hands are counted, plus a worked... Read more...
Holiday Red Christmas Mahjong Set
Mahjong Jokers Explained: How to Use Jokers in American Mahjong
How Jokers work in American Mahjong: where you can and can't use them, how to swap a Joker, discarded Jokers, jokerless hands and smart Joker tips. Read more...
Iridescent Wave Mahjong Racks, Set of 4
Mahjong Racks with Pushers: What They Do and How to Choose
What mahjong racks and pushers do, how long your racks should be, acrylic vs wood, and what to check before you buy a set of four for American Mahjong. Read more...
Regal Pearl & Gold Mahjong Mat
How to Choose a Mahjong Mat: Size, Material & Best Picks (2026)
How to choose a mahjong mat: the right size for your table, neoprene vs rubber, non-slip backing and care tips, plus our best mahjong mats for 2026. Read more...
Holiday Red Christmas Mahjong Set
Best American Mahjong Sets 2026: How to Choose + Top Picks
How to choose the best American Mahjong set: what a complete 160-tile set includes, engraved vs printed tiles, racks and mats, plus our top 6 picks for 2026. Read more...