The good news first: you don't need to buy anything to start. Most clubs, classes and game-night hosts have sets you can use. The one thing every player brings is their own copy of the current card. Once you've played a few times and know you love the game, a set of your own is a lovely thing to have, and it lets you host.
The must-haves
- The current card. Every player needs one. It is published every spring by the National Mah Jongg League, and you buy it directly from them at nationalmahjonggleague.org. No set includes the current card.
- An American mahjong set, if you plan to host. It should have 152 tiles, including 8 Jokers and 8 Flowers.
- Racks with pushers, one per player. Most American sets include four. If yours doesn't, buy them separately.
The nice-to-haves
- A mahjong mat. A padded table cover that keeps the tiles quiet and easy to shuffle. If your table is hard or slippery, it is the most noticeable upgrade.
- A card holder. Props your card up beside your rack, so you can read it hands-free.
- Extra dice and a marker for who is East. Small, cheap and handy.
Shopping links
To save you some searching, here are Amazon searches for each item, with what to check before you buy.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We haven't tested specific products; these links open Amazon search results so you can compare.
American mahjong set
The tiles, usually with four racks and pushers, dice and a case. It is the one big purchase.
What to check
- Says "American" and lists 152 tiles
- Includes 8 Jokers and 8 Flowers
- Four racks with pushers included
- Tiles big enough to read easily
Mahjong mat
A padded cloth for the table. It quiets the tiles, protects the table and makes shuffling easier.
What to check
- Fits your table (around 34 to 36 inches for a card table)
- Non-slip back
- Rolls or folds for storage
Racks with pushers
Holds your tiles and pushes your wall forward. Worth buying if your set came without racks.
What to check
- Set of four
- Pusher arms attached
- Long enough for 19 stacks of your tile size
Card holder
Stands your card up next to your rack so you can read it without picking it up.
What to check
- Fits the current card size
- Stable base
- Folds flat for travel
Dice and a wind indicator
Most sets include dice. Spares are handy, and some groups like a marker that shows who is East.
What to check
- Two or three standard dice
- Easy-to-read dots
Buying a set at Walmart, Sam's Club or Target
Mahjong's popularity means big-box stores now stock sets more often, sometimes at very good prices. A store set can be a fine choice, as long as it is actually an American set. Before you buy, read the box and check:
- The word "American." Chinese, Japanese and other styles use different tile sets.
- 152 tiles. If the box says 144 or 136, it is not an American set.
- 8 Jokers. No Jokers, no American game.
- Racks and pushers. Four racks with pushers save you a separate purchase.
- Tile size. Bigger tiles are easier to read and to stack. If you can, look at photos with a hand for scale.
- The return policy. Open the set at home and count the Jokers and Flowers right away.
Online marketplaces, including large wholesale sites, also sell sets directly from factories. Prices can be low, but descriptions are not always accurate. The same checklist applies: 152 tiles, 8 Jokers, 8 Flowers and racks.
What you can skip for now
- Expensive designer sets. They are beautiful, but a standard set plays exactly the same. Wait until you know your taste.
- Automatic tables. Wonderful, but large and costly. Most American mahjong groups shuffle by hand.
- Older cards. Groups play from the current card, so old ones are only useful for practice.
Not sure what's in a set?
Our guide to what's in an American mahjong set shows all 152 tiles and explains what each part is for. Once your set arrives, open the tile quiz and learn every tile before your first game.
