Missy Mahjong FAQs
American mahjong is played with 152 tiles and 4 players. The object of the game is to complete a winning 14 tiles sequence that matches the playing card.
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Where is Missy Mahjong located? Missy Mahjong is located in Nashville, Chicago and Lake Geneva.
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Who is Missy Mahjong? Missy Mahjong is a philanthropist, game enthusiast, natural connector, trendsetter, former instructor and author.
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Does Missy Mahjong sell products? No, Missy Mahjong does not sell tiles, mats, racks or accessories. Affiliate codes can be used to generate store credit for donations for various local fundraisers.
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What is the purpose of Missy Mahjong? Missy Mahjong has one mission: build community and raise money for local charities. Her website and NEWSletter offer strategies for a purposeful and playful life.
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Can I become a Missy Mahjong affiliate instructor? No. Missy is no longer offering lessons with any instructors.
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How can I book Missy Mahjong for a speaking engagement? Missy Mahjong can be reached at missymahjong@gmail.com for all inquires regarding public speaking events, guest podcast appearances and tv appearances.
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Can a restaurant or hotel or retail establish partner with Missy Mahjong? Yes! Please email missymahjong@gmail.com to bring Missy Mahjong to speak at your venue.
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Can I donate product to Missy Mahjong events? Yes! We accept donations to use as giveaways at Missy Mahjong signature events and for consideration in the NEWSletter.
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Where can I play mahjong in Nashville? Missy Mahjong recommends playing at Fork of the South in Franklin, The Mahjong Club in Brentwood, Nashville Needleworks in Brentwood and at libraries throughout the Nashville area.
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Where can I play mahjong in Chicago? Missy Mahjong suggests North Shore Mahjong, Lilypad Mahjong Parlor or 900 N Michigan Avenue.
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Where can I play mahjong in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin? Inspired Coffee in downtown Lake Geneva and at the Lake Geneva Public Library.
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How do I find out about Missy Mahjong lessons, open play and fundraisers? The Missy Mahjong NEWSletter is the only way to find out about new events.
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What is a Missy Mahjong Social Club? Missy Mahjong started the mahjong social clubs in January 2025. In July 2026, Missy Mahjong Social Clubs ended, passing the torch to the new instructors, players and event hosts that have popped up all over Nashville, Chicago and Lake Geneva. These social clubs were designed to meet other mahjong players, learn a new table rule and practice.
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Where can I find promo codes for mahjong tiles and accessories? Missy Mahjong lists the best discount codes on mahjong game tiles, racks, mats and more on her website.
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How can I connect with Missy Mahjong? Email Missy Mahjong at missymahjong@gmail.com
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Can I ask Missy Mahjong about a mahjong rule? Yes! Email Missy Mahjong with all questions at missymahjong.com
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What is Missy Mahjong's real name? Michelle. Missy is her childhood nickname and Missy Mahjong is her game name!
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What is the easiest mahjong hand to play? A winds hands is the easiest hand for new players. You only match letters, no numbers. Do not play the concealed hand. More information about tips and tricks are here.
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What is the best hand to play in mahjong? The best hand to play on the 2026 NMJL card is 111 222 3333 4444 in either one or 2 suits. It is the most flexible hand on the 2026 NMJL card.
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Where can I play mahjong online? Missy Mahjong suggests Ilovemahj.com and the American Mahjong Practice App. More information about the best online mahjong games can be found here.
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What is Missy Mahjong doing now? In July 2026, Missy Mahjong stopped offering lessons and started focusing on her popular NEWSletter. The NEWSletter is designed to give strategies for leading a more purposeful and playful life. Missy Mahjong encourages living a full life off social media, raising money for local charities and connecting with others at the game table and beyond.
Mahjong game FAQs
How is American mahjong played?
American mahjong is played with 4 players and 152 tiles, with a winner matching a 14 tiles sequence on the playing card.
What are the tiles in American mahjong?
The 152 tiles in American mahjong include 108 numbered tiles in three suits (craks, dots, bams), 12 dragons, 8 flowers, 8 jokers and 16 winds (North, East, West and South).
How many tiles are in mahjong?
A standard game of American mahjong is played with 152 tiles. Sets will often be sold with extra jokers, blanks and extra flowers, so remove any extra tiles before play.
What are the wind tiles in American mahjong?
The 16 wind tiles in American mahjong are neutral (not suit specific) tiles labeled North, East, West and South in that order. The wind tiles are represented by the letters N, E, W, and S on the American mahjong playing card.
What is a chow in American mahjong?
A chow in American mahjong is a grouping of single tiles in numerical order. Ex: 1234
What is a grouping of singles in American mahjong?
A grouping of singles in American mahjong is a meld of single tiles to complete a sequence on the mahjong card. Jokers may never be used in a grouping of singles. Ex: 369 or NEWS
What are the rules for jokers in American mahjong?
Jokers can never be used with a single or a pair. Jokers must be used to complete a meld of three or more identical tiles. Joker exchanges must be done during a player’s turn, which means after a tile is racked and before a discard is named.
Can I use a joker in a single or a pair?
No, jokers may never be used in a single or a pair in American mahjong.
How can I do a joker exchange?
Joker exchanges must be done during a player’s turn, which means after a tile is racked and before a discard is named. Ask the player displaying the joker “May I please have your joker?” and hold out the replacement tile. Never reach for the joker on the rack yourself- it is rude to touch another lady’s rack! Place the joker on the sloped portion of your rack. The turn ends with a named discard tile. If a joker exchange is missed, the numbered tile cannot be picked from the discards and exchanged for the joker. There is an advantage for experienced players and scoring to win a jokerless hand.
How do I play American mahjong?
American mahjong is a game of 152 tiles and won by the first player to match a 14-tile sequence on the playing card.
How many tiles do I use in the mahjong wall?
The mahjong wall is 19 tiles long, double stacked with 38 total tiles.
How do I build the mahjong wall?
After the shuffle is complete, turn the tiles face down and begin building your wall of 38 tiles along your pusher. These walls are 19 tiles in length and double stacked.
How do I set up the mahjong game?
Shuffle the 152 tiles, turn the tiles face down and begin building 4 walls, one along each pusher. The walls are 19 tiles in length and double stacked to total 38 tiles.
What is a flower in American mahjong?
A flower in American mahjong is a neutral tile and marked as an F on the NMJL card. Although the flower tiles may have seasons or numbers or different types of flowers on them, the 8 flower tiles are identical in American mahjong.
What does the X or C mean on the mahjong card?
The “X” marks an exposed hand, and a “C” marks a concealed (or closed) hand. “C” marked hands may not call for discarded tiles and must be self-picked from the wall.
What is the NMJL card?
The NMJL card stands for the National Mah Jongg League card issued by the National Mah Jongg League each April. This is a brand of card and there are many other American mahjong cards on the market in 2026.
What is ROLLOR in mahjong?
ROLLOR in American mahjong refers to the Charleston pass sequence: Right, Over, Left, Left, Over, Right. An additional courtesy pass follows ROLLOR in mahjong.
What is the Charleston in mahjong?
The Charleston in American mahjong is a series of tile exchanges after the initial deal designed to improve a player’s hand before the game play begins.
How do I win American mahjong?
A player must match a 14-tile hand from the card to win American mahjong.
What is a hand in American mahjong?
A hand in American mahjong is a 14-tile sequence.
What is the soap in American mahjong?
The soap in American mahjong is a white dragon (D) for the dots and the 0 on the American mahjong card. The soap is a neutral tile when used as a 0 and will be required on the year section of the NMJL card until 2111.
What does the dragon do in mahjong?
Dragons are suit specific but do not have a number. Like a jack or royal card, it is suit specific but not numbered. A dragon is listed as a D on the National Mah Jongg League card.
How to make a meld in American mahjong?
A meld is a grouping of tiles: single, pair, pung, kong, quint, sextet or chow.
How many tiles are exchanged in the courtesy pass?
0-3 tiles are exchanged in the courtesy pass in American mahjong.
What is a blind pass in mahjong?
The blind pass is when a player passes 1-3 tiles from the player passing to them and passes them without looking. This is done on the first left and final right in the Charleston of American mahjong.
How to read the card in American Mahjong?
The American mahjong cards need to be read first by section, followed by the 14-tile sequence, the colors noted (when the color changes, the suit changes), next the parentheses need to be read carefully and lastly the values with exposure notes.
How do I deal in American mahjong?
According to the NMJL rule book, each player must select her own tiles in order of play, to the right. East begins the deal by selecting the first four tiles. Each player will do this three times (taking four tiles in “meals” as breakfast, lunch and dinner). East will then take the top tile and top third tile (“two slices of cake for dessert”) and each player will take the next single tile (one slice of “dessert”). East has the advantage of one extra tile during the Charleston.
How do I start play in American mahjong?
After the Charleston is complete, East will discard her extra 14th tile face up and fully name it. The player to the right will pick from the wall and place it in her rack. Her turn will end with a named discard. Play moves to the right.
What is East in American mahjong?
East is the player that breaks the wall first, takes tiles in the deal first, has an extra tile during the Charleston and begins play by discarding her extra tile and fully naming it after the courtesy pass is complete.
What do the colors mean on the mahjong card?
1 color= one suit. 2 colors= two suits. 3 colors= 3 suits. Neutral tiles do not have a suit. When the color changes, the suit changes on the American mahjong card.
How to pick a hand on the mahjong card?
Select a section on the card that matches the most tiles in your rack after the initial deal. As the Charleston progresses, the specific hand should present itself. As a beginner, choose hands with pungs or kongs and eligible for exposures (X).