Setup and players
How Many Players Does Mahjong Need?
Quick answer
Mahjong is a game for 4 players, one on each side of a square table. You can also play with 2 or 3 players. Small games use special rules. In American mahjong, they skip the Charleston, the tile swap before play. Japanese riichi mahjong has a 3-player version, too.
At a glance
- Standard game: 4 players
- Also possible: 2 or 3 players
- With 3 players: leave one seat empty
- With 2 players: sit across from each other
- The dealer: East, who starts with 14 tiles
How many players do you need for mahjong?
You need 4 players for a standard game of mahjong. Each player sits on one side of a square table.
Each player also builds one side of the wall. The wall is the square of tiles you draw from.
With 4, you play the full game. In American mahjong, that includes the Charleston. It is a tile swap before play starts.
Where does each player sit?
Each seat is named for a wind: East, South, West and North. East is the dealer. South sits on East's right, West sits across and North sits on East's left.
Play moves to the right, which is counterclockwise. So after East comes South, then West, then North.
Next, see how to set up mahjong for the walls and the deal.
Can you play mahjong with 2 or 3 players?
Yes. The National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) has rules for 2 and 3 players. Both skip the Charleston.
| Players | What changes |
|---|---|
| 4 | Nothing. This is the standard game. |
| 3 | Leave one seat empty. Build all 4 walls. No Charleston. |
| 2 | Sit across from each other. Each builds 2 walls. No Charleston. |
Two players can also try Siamese mahjong. Each player plays 2 hands at once, on 2 racks. Read more about mahjong with 2 players and mahjong with 3 players.
Gather your table
Choose an American set with 160 or 166 tiles, or a 144-tile Chinese set.
Questions people ask
Can 5 people play mahjong?
Only 4 can play in one hand. With 5 people, one person sits out each hand. Agree on how you will take turns before you start.
How do you pick who is East?
Everyone rolls the dice. The highest roll is East, the dealer. East starts with 14 tiles, and the others start with 13.
Is every style of mahjong made for 4?
Most are. Japanese riichi has a 3-player game called sanma. Korean mahjong is often played by 3.
How many people do you need for a mahjong night?
Plan on 4 people for each table. With 8 guests, set up 2 tables. See how to host a mahjong night.