Learn American mahjong on your own
- Missy Mahjong
- Dec 16, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 5
Yes. You can do it.
It’s a dilemma that I hear all of the time: you want to learn American mahjong now but you can’t find an event or a certified instructor with availability for months.
I understand- I have been there! I’m offering a solution and steps to learn mahjong on your own. These are my suggestions as a certified instructor and impatient self starter. It is not the ideal way to learn, but it is a quick solution to get you introduced to the world of mahjong.
Step 1:
Invest in a set of tiles and racks. Tiles come in all designs, colors, shapes and sizes. I personally love the standard size of the Oh My Mahjong Tiles for my size hands. The tiles are small and chubby and come in so many beautiful colors. For a smaller and more traditional tile design, I have the gold glitter backed tiles from Where the Winds Blow. The very fashionable tiles from The Mahjong Line has some super fun designs and a longer and thinner profile. You can always buy a cheap set of tiles on Amazon, but expect to outgrow it quickly.
Step 2:
Order at least 4 current year cards from the National Mah Jongg League. These are the gold standard of cards. These are the cards that most people use to play American mahjong. Do not buy them on Amazon for a cheaper price- they aren’t always the same and they are knock offs. If you can’t spend $15 per card to play with the correct card, maybe mahjong just isn’t your game. It is important to play (and learn!) with the official card. The cards are sent USPS and come within a few days.
Step 3:
Watch a how-to video online about American Mahjong (yes- there is a difference!). Actually, watch lots of these videos.
These are the concepts you need to search:
What are the tiles in American Mahjong?
What is a flower in American Mahjong?
What is a pung?
What is a kong?
What is a wind tiles?
What is the joker in American Mahjong? How can I use a joker?
How do I set up American Mahjong?
How do I deal American mahjong?
How do I win American Mahjong?
You will start to find trained instructors that pop up with lots of video recordings. At this point, find one teacher that you really understand and watch her videos.
Step 4:
Practice. Once you have watched the videos, turn all the tiles face down and practice picking and making winning sequences from the card. Over time, this will all make more and more sense.
Step 5:
Download American Mahjong Practice 2025 app on your phone. I KNOW it is 2026, but the app won't renew until the next card is released in April. It’s not an expensive app ($14.99 last time I checked), and I highly recommend it. My teacher suggested it to me after our first lesson and I played it probably 100 times in the first week. The current card is preloaded on the app. The app will suggest most likely hands and the specific tiles you need to collect to declare mahjong.
Step 6:
Email me with questions. You know how the Butterball turkey ladies are always available to answer cooking questions at any time- especially on holidays? Well, I’m the same way. Missy Mahjong is always here to answer tile questions! I’m not too busy yet, and I am passionate about mahjong, so I love to answer questions from beginners.
Step 7:
Book a follow up lesson so I can help with speed of play, the Charleston and strategy. In a perfect world, I will be able to do an hour private with 1-4 players followed by a group open play to get everyone more comfortable.
If you truly want to learn mahjong and get started now, this is a great way to become familiar and start playing. Even if you just learn the tiles and the winning sequences from the videos, you can reasonably join a friendly game. The Charleston and the dealing is often done by one person at the table, so as long as someone is an experienced player, the game can get started.
Like anything these days, there are lots of videos on You Tube. Some teach proper NMJL rules, but others can be based on table rules or someone’s incorrect interpretation of the rules. Definitely investigate your source. Facebook and Instagram have some helpful hints, videos and groups, but be careful. Your rules are also written on the back of the NMJL card.
Hopefully this will give you a path to get started playing. I know mahjong seems overwhelming to start on your own and honestly- IT IS. But for the people who are quick learners and truly interested in playing, this is my suggestion. And again, just like the Butterball turkey hotline lady on Thanksgiving, I am always around to answer emails- even on Christmas.
