Learn American Mah Jongg

Winning Hands

To declare Mah Jongg you need 14 tiles arranged as four groups of three plus one pair. Each group of three is either:

A Run — three numbers in a row, same suit

A Set — three identical tiles

The Pair — two identical tiles

What counts where

• Runs can only be made from the three number suits: Dots, Bams, and Craks.
• Sets can be made from anything: numbers, Winds, Dragons, even Flowers (all 8 Flowers match each other).
• Jokers are wild — a Joker can stand in for any tile inside a run or a set, but never in the pair. The pair must be two real, identical tiles.

Example of a complete winning hand

That's a run, a set, a run with a Joker filling the gap, a set of Winds, and a pair of Dragons — 14 tiles, Mah Jongg!

Our Rules

This game is played 5XJ Ranch house style, inspired by the structural, card-free way American Mah Jongg has long been played in military communities. Here is everything you need to know, in plain language:

The tiles (152 total)

• Dots, Bams, and Craks: three suits, numbered 1–9, four of each tile.
• Winds: East, South, West, North — four of each.
• Dragons: Red, Green, and White (Soap) — four of each.
• Flowers: eight tiles that all match one another.
• Jokers: eight wild tiles.

The deal

Each of the four players receives 13 tiles. The rest form the wall (the draw pile).

The Charleston

Before play begins, everyone passes three unwanted tiles at the same time — first to the right, then across, then to the left. You may never pass a Joker. The Charleston is your chance to trade dead weight for tiles that fit your plan.

Playing a turn

On your turn, draw one tile from the wall, then discard one tile face up to the middle. That's it — the game flows around the table draw-discard, draw-discard.

Winning

Win by collecting four groups (runs or sets) plus a pair — 14 tiles total. You can win on your own draw, or by claiming another player's freshly thrown discard if it completes your hand. Jokers fill in anywhere except the pair. If the wall runs out before anyone wins, the game is a draw (a “wall game”).

House simplifications

To keep things friendly and fast, this version uses one Charleston (three passes), no exposed melds, and discards may only be claimed to declare Mah Jongg. Score is kept as games won.

Help & Tips

How to use this game

• New Game deals 13 tiles to you and three computer players.
• During the Charleston, tap three tiles you don't want, then press Pass 3 Tiles. You'll do that three times (right, across, left).
• On your turn, press Draw, then tap a tile and press Discard.
• Auto Arrange sorts your tiles into labeled runs, sets, and pairs automatically. Turn it off to arrange tiles yourself — tap one tile, then tap another to swap their places.
• If a discard or a drawn tile completes your hand, the Mah Jongg! button appears — press it to win.

• Teaching mode: the button you should press next flashes gold. During the Charleston, the three tiles the coach recommends passing flash; on your turn, the recommended discard flashes too. You can always ignore the suggestions and choose your own.

Tips for new players

• Pick a direction early. After the deal, look at where you're strongest — lots of one suit? Pairs of Winds? Build toward that and let the rest go.
• Pairs are gold. A pair can grow into a set, and you'll always need one pair to win. Don't break pairs without a good reason.
• Middle numbers connect. A 5 can join runs of 3-4-5, 4-5-6, or 5-6-7. Ones and nines only fit one run each.
• Never pass a Joker (the game won't let you), and think hard before discarding one — Jokers finish hands.
• Use the Charleston. Pass lonely Winds, single Flowers, and stray tiles far from your plan.
• Watch the discards. If the tiles you need keep hitting the table, it may be time to change course.