American Mahjong FAQ: 20 Questions Beginners Always Ask
Every beginner asks the same twenty questions in their first month. Here are straight answers to all of them, in one place.
Getting Started
The basics new players ask before their first game.
- How many people play? Four is standard; three works with small adjustments.
- How long is a game? One hand takes 10–20 minutes; plan 2–3 hours for a session.
- What do I need to buy? A 152-tile American set, racks, and the current NMJL card.
- Is American mahjong gambling? Not as played socially — points or pennies at most, and this site covers only the recreational game.
During the Game
The questions that come up mid-hand.
- Can I pass a joker in the Charleston? No — never.
- Can I call a discarded joker? No. A discarded joker is dead.
- Can I call a tile for a pair? Only if it completes your winning hand.
- Can I call a tile for a concealed hand? Only the final winning tile.
- What if two players call the same discard? The player who calls for mahjong wins; otherwise the player whose turn comes sooner in play order gets it.
- What if the wall runs out? The game is a draw; deal passes to the next player.
The Card and Hands
About the NMJL card itself.
- Do I really need a new card every year? Yes for league-style play; casual groups sometimes agree to reuse one.
- Can a hand match two lines? You pick one line and are paid its value.
- What do the colors on the card mean? Colors indicate suits — different colors mean different suits required.
- Can I use jokers in a pair? Never.
After You Win
Money and scoring questions.
- Who pays when I win on a discard? The discarder pays double; the others pay single.
- Who pays when I self-pick? Everyone pays double.
- What is a dead hand? An invalid hand — you stop playing that round.
- Do beginners play for money? Most home games use points, chips or pennies; plenty play for nothing but glory.
Keep Learning
Next stops: the complete beginner’s guide, the hands chart explainer, and the terminology glossary.