About mahjong
Is Mahjong Gambling?
Quick answer
Mahjong is not gambling by itself. It is a game of skill, strategy and luck, and it needs no money. Many groups play just for points. Some play for small stakes, like coins. Gambling laws vary by state, so check the rules where you live. This is not legal advice.
At a glance
- Money needed to play: none
- Ways to keep score: points, chips or paper
- Common small stakes: coins, so a 25-point hand is often 25 cents
- Common loss limit, called a "pie": $3 to $10
- Laws: vary by state
Is mahjong gambling?
No, mahjong is not gambling by itself. You can play a full game with no money at all.
Gambling questions come up only when players bet money or something else of value. People play in three common ways.
| How people play | Money involved? |
|---|---|
| Just for fun | No |
| For points or chips | No |
| For small stakes, like coins | Yes, small amounts |
New to the game? Start with what mahjong is.
Why do people link mahjong with gambling?
People link mahjong with gambling because it is often played for money, in China and other places.
That link has a long history. After 1949, mainland China discouraged the game.
It was banned during the Cultural Revolution, from 1966 to 1976. It became legal again in 1985, but only without gambling.
China's official tournament rules even came with a motto: "no gambling, no drinking, and no smoking." Hong Kong, on the other hand, licenses mahjong parlors. Read more in mahjong history.
How do people play mahjong for money?
In American mahjong, groups that play for money usually play for small change. Here is how it often works.
- Agree first. The group decides together whether to play for money, and how much.
- Use the card values. Each hand on the card has a point value. A 25-point hand is often paid as 25 cents.
- Only the winner gets paid. If the winner took a discarded tile, the player who threw it pays double. The others pay the card value.
- Pay double for a wall tile. If the winner drew the winning tile from the wall, all three players pay double.
- Set a pie. A pie is a cap on how much one player can lose. Many groups set it at $3 to $10.
For the full rules on paying, see how to score mahjong.
Is it legal to play mahjong for money?
It depends on where you live. Gambling laws vary by state, and sometimes by city.
Florida
Florida allows small "penny-ante" games of mah-jongg, under statute 849.085. Its limits include:
- Winnings of $10 or less per round
- Play at a home, a condo or a community center
- No players under 18
Utah
Utah bans betting anything of value.
Other states
Each state has its own rules. Check your state and local laws before you play for money.
This page is general information, not legal advice. If you are not sure, ask a lawyer, or play for points.
Want to play for fun at home?
A set of your own lets your group play for points, any night you like.
Questions people ask
Is mahjong a game of skill or luck?
Both. Skill and strategy matter, and so does the luck of the draw. It is often compared to the card game rummy.
What does penny-ante mean?
Penny-ante means a game with very small stakes. Florida's law uses it for games where no one wins more than $10 in a round.
How do you keep score without money?
Use chips, or write each player's points on paper. Add up the points at the end of the night to see who won.