Other styles
Types of Mahjong
Quick answer
The main types of mahjong are American, Chinese, Hong Kong, Japanese riichi, Filipino, Taiwanese and Singapore. They use from 136 to 152 tiles. American mahjong has jokers, or wild tiles, and a yearly card of hands. Riichi has no flowers. Filipino and Taiwanese hands hold 16 tiles. Singapore adds 4 animal tiles.
At a glance
- Main styles: 7
- Tiles: 136 to 152, by style
- Jokers: 8 in American play
- Biggest hands: 16 tiles, in Filipino and Taiwanese play
- Extra tiles: Singapore adds 4 animals
What are the main types of mahjong?
The main types of mahjong are American, Chinese, Hong Kong, Japanese riichi, Filipino, Taiwanese and Singapore. People also call them styles, versions or variants.
All of them use tiles with 3 suits, winds and dragons. They differ in tile count, hand size and how you win.
| Style | Tiles | What stands out |
|---|---|---|
| American | 152 | 8 jokers (wild tiles); hands must match a yearly card |
| Chinese and Hong Kong | 144 | 4 sets and a pair; points called faan |
| Japanese riichi | 136 | No flowers; every win needs a yaku (scoring pattern) |
| Filipino | 144 | 16-tile hands |
| Singapore | 148 | Adds 4 animal tiles |
| Taiwanese | 144 | 16-tile hands |
How do the mahjong styles differ?
Each style changes a few rules, such as tile count, hand size and scoring.
American mahjong
American mahjong uses 152 tiles, with 8 jokers. Before play, players pass tiles in a swap called the Charleston. To win, your hand must match a hand on this year's card. See how to play American mahjong.
Chinese mahjong
Classic Chinese mahjong uses 144 tiles and no jokers. You win with 4 sets and a pair. A set can be a run, called a chow, like 3, 4 and 5 of one suit. See how to play Chinese mahjong.
Hong Kong mahjong
Hong Kong mahjong is a Chinese style with its own scoring. Hands score faan, points that about double the payout. Most games need at least 3 faan to win. See Hong Kong mahjong rules.
Japanese riichi mahjong
Riichi uses 136 tiles, with no flowers or seasons. Every win needs a yaku, which is a scoring pattern. Players can also make a 1,000-point bet called riichi. See riichi mahjong.
Filipino mahjong
Filipino mahjong uses 144 tiles but bigger hands. You hold 16 tiles and win with 17: 5 sets and a pair. Winds and dragons usually count as bonus tiles. See Filipino mahjong rules.
Taiwanese mahjong
Taiwanese mahjong also uses 144 tiles and 16-tile hands. You win on the 17th tile.
Wright-Patterson mahjong
Wright-Patterson mahjong is a Western style played by military spouses. It is named for an Air Force base in Ohio. It uses 144 tiles with no jokers and has its own rule book. See Wright-Patterson mahjong.
Siamese mahjong
Siamese mahjong is American mahjong for 2 players. Each player uses 2 racks and builds 2 hands at once. See Siamese mahjong.
What are the Singapore mahjong rules?
Singapore mahjong adds 4 animal tiles to the standard 144-tile set, for 148 tiles. The animals are a cat, a rat, a rooster and a centipede.
Hands are scored in tai, which are points.
- A win needs at least 1 tai.
- Many tables cap a hand at 5 tai.
- Each animal tile is a bonus tile worth 1 tai.
- Some animal pairs, like the cat and the rat, earn a payment from the other players right away.
To learn how to play Singapore mahjong, start with the Chinese basics. Then add the animal tiles and tai scoring.
What other mahjong versions are there?
Other versions include Vietnamese and Korean mahjong:
- Vietnamese: 160 tiles, with 8 jokers and 8 extra flowers.
- Korean: 104 tiles with no bamboo suit, often for 3 players.
Tip: Learn the style your friends or local group play. Rules change a lot from style to style.
Ready to pick a set for your style?
Our sets include 144-tile Chinese sets and American sets with 160 or 166 tiles.
Questions people ask
How do you play mahjong in the UK?
British mahjong is the Western classical game from the 1920s, played with 144 tiles. House rules vary, so ask your group which rules they use.
What are Australian mahjong rules?
Rules vary from group to group. Ask which style your group plays. Then start with that style's guide above.
Can one set play every style?
Not quite. A 144-tile Chinese set covers Chinese, Hong Kong, Filipino and Taiwanese play. Take out the 8 flowers and seasons for riichi. American play needs a set with jokers.