# American mahjong rules at a glance

The main points of every lesson in the Learn Mahjong Quick American mahjong course. Web version: https://learnmahjongquick.com/american-mahjong-rules-at-a-glance

## The basics

### [1. Meet the tiles](https://learnmahjongquick.com/learn-american-mahjong/meet-the-tiles)

- There are 152 tiles: Dots, Bams and Craks, numbered 1 to 9.
- There are also winds, dragons, 8 flowers and 8 jokers.
- Read the number in the corner of each tile.

### [2. Making sets](https://learnmahjongquick.com/learn-american-mahjong/making-sets)

- Sets are matching tiles: a pair (2), pung (3), kong (4) or quint (5).
- Matching means the same number and the same suit.
- Jokers fit sets of 3 or more, never a pair.

### [3. Reading a hand](https://learnmahjongquick.com/learn-american-mahjong/reading-a-hand)

- Each line on the card is one winning hand of 14 tiles.
- Same color means same suit. You choose which suit.
- A D is the dragon that goes with its color's suit. 0 is Soap.

### [4. Choosing a hand](https://learnmahjongquick.com/learn-american-mahjong/choosing-a-hand)

- Start with your tiles, then look at the section they fit.
- Go for the hand that needs the fewest new tiles.
- Keep 2 hands in mind until after the Charleston.

## Before play

### [5. The Charleston](https://learnmahjongquick.com/learn-american-mahjong/the-charleston)

- Pass 3 tiles right, then across, then left.
- A second round and a courtesy pass are optional.
- Never pass a joker.

### [6. Set up and deal](https://learnmahjongquick.com/learn-american-mahjong/set-up-and-deal)

- Each player builds a wall 19 tiles long and 2 high.
- East gets 14 tiles. Everyone else gets 13.
- East goes first by throwing away one tile.

## Playing

### [7. Your turn](https://learnmahjongquick.com/learn-american-mahjong/your-turn)

- Take a tile from the wall, then throw one away.
- Say the name of the tile you throw.
- Throw away tiles your hands don't use.

### [8. Calling tiles](https://learnmahjongquick.com/learn-american-mahjong/calling-tiles)

- You can take the last thrown tile to finish a set of 3 or more.
- Then show that set face up and throw a tile away.
- Hands marked C can call only the last tile, for mahjong.

### [9. Watching the table](https://learnmahjongquick.com/learn-american-mahjong/watching-the-table)

- Exposed sets show what other players are building.
- Tiles already thrown, or that fit no exposed set, are safer to throw.
- Late in the game, don't throw a tile that could finish someone's hand.

### [10. Jokers in play](https://learnmahjongquick.com/learn-american-mahjong/jokers-in-play)

- Jokers fit sets of 3 or more, never pairs or single tiles.
- A thrown joker can't be called.
- On your turn, you can swap a real tile for a joker in a set on the table.

### [11. Declaring mahjong](https://learnmahjongquick.com/learn-american-mahjong/declaring-mahjong)

- Say "Mahjong" and show all 14 tiles.
- The player who threw your winning tile pays double. From the wall, everyone pays double.
- No jokers in your hand doubles the payment (not for Singles & Pairs).