American vs Chinese mahjong
American mahjong uses 152 tiles, including 8 jokers. It has no runs, and it starts with a tile trade called the Charleston. You win by matching a hand printed on a card. Chinese styles usually use 136 or 144 tiles with no jokers. They allow runs, and a winning hand is four sets and a pair.
Both games use the same suits, winds and dragons, so if you know one, many of the tiles will look familiar. The way you play is quite different.
The differences at a glance
| Topic | American | Chinese styles |
|---|---|---|
| Tiles | 152 | Usually 136 or 144 |
| Jokers | 8 | Usually none |
| Runs (chows) | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Winning hands | Listed on a card | Usually four sets and a pair |
| Before play | The Charleston | No tile exchange |
| Flowers | Used in hands | Bonus tiles, set aside when drawn |
| Scoring | Value printed on the card | Points for patterns, varies by style |
The tiles
Both games use three suits numbered 1 to 9, four winds and three dragons, four of each. Many Chinese sets add 8 flower and season tiles, for 144 in total.
An American set adds 8 jokers and treats all 8 flowers as the same tile, for 152. American sets also print numbers and letters in the tile corners, which helps new players. The full list is in mahjong tiles explained.
No runs in American mahjong
In Chinese mahjong, a run of three numbers in one suit, like 3, 4, 5 of Dots, is a set called a chow. In American mahjong, it isn't a set at all. Every set is made of matching tiles.
Numbers in a row still show up on the American card, but as matching sets: a pung of 3s, a pung of 4s and a pung of 5s, for example.
The card
In most Chinese styles, any four sets and a pair can win, with extra points for special patterns. In American mahjong, you can only win with a hand that is printed on the card.
Groups usually buy a new official card each year. This site uses its own House Card, which works the same way. See how to read a mahjong card.
Jokers and flowers
Jokers are one of the biggest differences. In American mahjong they fill in for any tile in a set of 3 or more, and you can swap a real tile for a joker on an exposed set. Most Chinese styles don't use jokers.
Flowers also work differently. In many Chinese styles, a flower is set aside for bonus points when you draw it, and you draw a replacement. In American mahjong, flowers stay in your hand and are part of many winning hands.
The Charleston and calling
American mahjong starts with the Charleston, where players pass tiles to each other before play. Chinese styles go straight into play.
You can call fewer tiles in American mahjong. You can call a discard only to finish a pung, kong or quint, or to win. In Chinese styles you can also take a discard from the player on your left to make a run.
Scoring
Chinese styles score with points for patterns in the winning hand, and the systems vary a lot from place to place. American scoring is simpler: each hand on the card has a value, and payment depends on how you won. See mahjong scoring.
To try a Chinese style, start our free Hong Kong mahjong lessons, then play Hong Kong mahjong against the computer.
If you already play another style
- Forget runs. This is the habit most players find hardest to drop.
- Read the card before you plan. Your goal is one specific hand, not any four sets.
- Keep your flowers.
- Use jokers in sets of 3 or more, never in pairs.
If you want to play American mahjong with your own tiles, check for 8 jokers. A set made for Chinese styles usually has none.
Common questions
How many tiles are in American mahjong compared to Chinese?
American mahjong uses 152 tiles. Chinese styles usually use 136, or 144 with flowers and seasons.
Does Chinese mahjong use jokers?
Usually not. Jokers are part of American mahjong. Most Chinese styles don't use jokers.
Can you have a run in American mahjong?
No. Every set in American mahjong is made of matching tiles. Runs are allowed in Chinese styles.
Can I play American mahjong with a Chinese set?
Only if it has 8 jokers and 8 flowers. Most sets made for Chinese styles have no jokers, so they don't work without extra tiles.