Mahjong Rules (Simple Version)

What are the basic rules of mahjong?

The basic rules are the same in most styles. You take turns drawing and discarding until someone finishes a winning hand. Here are the mahjong rules for beginners, step by step.

1. Four players. Play goes to the right, or counterclockwise.
2. 13 tiles each. Each player starts with 13 tiles. The dealer, called East, starts with 14.
3. Draw, then discard. On your turn, take a tile from the wall in the middle. Then discard, or throw away, one tile face up.
4. Calling. You may claim the last discard to finish a set or to win. This is called calling a tile.
5. Exposures. A set you finish with a called tile goes face up for all to see. This is called an exposure.
6. Winning. The first player to make a full winning hand wins.
7. Wall game. If the wall runs out first, no one wins the hand.

What are the sets in mahjong?

A set is a small group of tiles that belong together. See the pictures below.

• Pair: 2 of the same tile.
• Pung: 3 of the same tile.
• Kong: 4 of the same tile.
• Quint: 5 of the same tile. There are only 4 of most tiles, so a quint usually needs a joker, or wild tile. American only.
• Chow: 3 in a row in one suit, like 4, 5, 6. Not used in American mahjong.

What is a winning hand?

In most styles, a winning hand has 14 tiles. What those tiles must be depends on the style.

In this example, the 4 sets are 1-2-3 bams, three 5 dots, three East winds and 6-7-8 craks. The pair is 2 red dragons.

How are American and Chinese rules different?

American mahjong adds jokers, a tile swap and a yearly card. Chinese styles use runs and bonus flowers instead.

• Jokers: American sets have 8 jokers, or wild tiles. A joker works only in a group of 3 or more of the same tile. Chinese sets have none.
• The Charleston: before play, American players swap tiles, 3 at a time. Chinese styles skip this.
• Calling: American players may call a discard only to finish a group of 3 or more, or to win. Chinese players may also call a chow, but only from the player on their left.
• Flowers: in American play, flowers are used in hands. In Chinese play, they are bonus tiles you set aside.
• The card: American hands come from a new card each year.

For the full rules, see how to play American mahjong and how to play Chinese mahjong.

Is there a mahjong rules PDF or book?

You can print a free summary, and the League sells an official American rule book. The basics are free to read online, too.

• Printable summary: our mahjong cheat sheet fits the main American rules on one page.
• American rule book: the League's book is Mah Jongg Made Easy, revised in 2024. It is sold at the NMJL store.
• American card: the card is copyrighted, so there is no free official PDF. The 2026 card costs about $14, or about $15 in large print. Prices can change.