# 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 |

Chinese mahjong is many regional styles. This compares the common ones.

## 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](https://learnmahjongquick.com/guides/mahjong-tiles).

## 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.

Tiles: 3 Dot, 4 Dot, 5 Dot | 3 Dot, 3 Dot, 3 Dot

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](https://learnmahjongquick.com/american-mahjong-card), which works the same way. See [how to read a mahjong card](https://learnmahjongquick.com/guides/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.

Tiles: Flower, Flower, Flower | 7 Dot, 7 Dot, Joker

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](https://learnmahjongquick.com/guides/mahjong-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](https://learnmahjongquick.com/guides/mahjong-scoring).

To try a Chinese style, start our free [Hong Kong mahjong lessons](https://learnmahjongquick.com/learn-hong-kong-mahjong), then [play Hong Kong mahjong](https://learnmahjongquick.com/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.

## 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.

Web version: https://learnmahjongquick.com/guides/american-vs-chinese-mahjong