Last updated: October 2026
Open almost any mahjong set and you will find a small pair of dice tucked in with the tiles. They are easy to overlook, but they do two important jobs before the first tile is played: they decide who starts as East, and they tell East where to break the wall. This guide explains how mahjong dice work in American mahjong, how many you need and what to look for in a good set.
Quick answer
- American mahjong uses two dice.
- Roll for East: each player rolls both dice, and the highest total becomes East, the dealer.
- Break the wall: East rolls again and counts that many stacks from the right end of their own wall, then breaks the wall there to start the deal.
- Good dice are about 16mm, easy to read and heavy enough to roll cleanly on a mat.
What are mahjong dice used for?
In American mahjong the dice are not part of scoring or play. They only set up the game, which is why many players forget about them once the tiles are moving. Their two jobs are choosing the first dealer and choosing a fair, random place to start drawing tiles from the wall.
1. Rolling for East
At the start of a session, each player rolls both dice. The player with the highest total sits as East and deals the first hand. If two players tie for the highest roll, they roll again. Once East is set, the other seats follow around the table: South to East's right, then West and North.
After each hand, the role of East passes to the right, so you only roll for East once per session. Some groups skip this roll and simply agree who goes first; that works too.
2. Breaking the wall
After the tiles are shuffled and the four walls are built, East rolls both dice and adds them up. East then counts that many stacks from the right end of their own wall and separates the wall at that point. The deal starts from the tiles just to the left of the break.
For example, if East rolls an 8, East counts eight stacks (sixteen tiles) from the right end of the wall in front of them and breaks it there. With a 160-tile set each wall is twenty stacks long, and two dice can only roll from 2 to 12, so the break always falls inside East's own wall.
Why bother? The roll makes the starting point random, so no one can arrange tiles while building the wall and know where the deal will begin. For the rest of the setup, see how to play American mahjong.
How many dice do you need for mahjong?
For American mahjong you need two. Other styles differ, which is why some sets come with three:
| Style | Dice | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| American mahjong | 2 | Choose East, then East rolls to break the wall |
| Chinese and Hong Kong styles | Often 3 | Pick the dealer and the break point; details vary by group |
Many players like to keep a spare pair in the set bag, since a single die is easy to lose under a table or in a rack. Six matching dice give you a pair for the table and spares for later.
How to choose mahjong dice
- Size: 16mm is the classic game size. Smaller dice are fine but easier to lose; much larger dice can knock over a wall.
- Weight: a little heft gives a cleaner roll and keeps dice from bouncing off the table.
- Readable pips: high-contrast pips are easy to count at a glance, even in low light.
- Rounded edges: smooth corners roll well and are kinder to tiles and mats.
- Material: plastic and acrylic dice are light and inexpensive; resin, bone-style and natural stone dice feel more substantial and look good on the table.
- Match your set: many players choose dice in a color that suits their tiles and mat, the same way they choose racks.
Tips for rolling mahjong dice
- Roll on a mat or inside the walls, not across bare wood or glass. A mahjong mat keeps dice quiet and stops them from flying off the table.
- Roll gently. A soft roll in the middle of the table will not knock over a wall that is already built.
- Use a small tray or dish if your group likes a harder roll.
- Store dice with the set, in a pocket of your bag or case, so they are never missing on game night. See mahjong bags and cases.
- Treat stone dice with care. Natural stone is durable for normal play, but a hard drop onto tile or concrete can chip any stone.
Natural gemstone mahjong dice
If you want dice that feel as special as your tiles, our gemstone dice are hand-polished to a smooth, glossy finish, standard 16mm, with gold pips and a set of six cut from one stone, so you always have spares. Choose from stones such as Rose Quartz, Amethyst, Tiger Eye, Lapis Lazuli and Moss Agate. Natural stones carry their own veins, so no two sets look exactly alike.
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Natural Gemstone Mahjong Dice, Set of 6 $51.99 |
New to the game and still putting your set together? Our guide to what is in an American mahjong set covers the tiles, racks, dice and card. Our best seller pairs 160 engraved acrylic tiles with a festive red design:
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Crimson Christmas Collection Mahjong Set $289.99 |
See every design in our American mahjong sets, or start with mahjong for beginners.
FAQ
How many dice are used in American mahjong?
Two. Players roll both dice to choose East, and East rolls both dice to decide where to break the wall.
Who rolls the dice in mahjong?
Every player rolls once at the start of a session to choose East. After that, only East rolls, once per hand, to break the wall.
How do you break the wall in mahjong with dice?
East rolls two dice, adds them up and counts that many stacks from the right end of their own wall, then separates the wall there. The deal begins from the tiles just to the left of the break.
What size are mahjong dice?
Most are around 16mm, the standard game size. Anything from about 12mm to 16mm works well.
Can you play mahjong without dice?
Yes. Some groups simply agree who is East and break the wall at a set point. Dice just make both choices random and fair.
Why does my set have three dice?
Some Chinese and Hong Kong style games use three dice. For American mahjong you only need two, so keep the third as a spare.