How To Play American Mahjong
Step 1. Learn the Tiles
American Mahjong uses 152 tiles. There are three suits, called Bams (Bamboos), Craks (Characters), and Dots, numbered 1 through 9. There are also Winds, Dragons, Flowers, and the much coveted Jokers. We recommend that you spend a few minutes viewing and sorting tiles by type before you worry about rules.
Step 2. Get Your Rack Ready
Each player gets a rack to hold and hide their tiles from the other players.
Step 3. Deal the Tiles
Each player draws 13 tiles to start, except the dealer (position East), who draws 14. Tiles are dealt from the wall, which is the shuffled stack of tiles built by all four players before play begins.
Step 4. The Charleston
Before gameplay begins, players pass tiles to each other in a set pattern called the Charleston. This gives everyone a chance to trade away unwanted tiles they do not need and get closer to a winning hand.
Step 5. Get Your Winning Hand
In the U.S., the standard card used is produced annual by the National Mahjong League. Other cards are available but NMJL is the ‘standard’ and would be the relied upon base for tournaments. The card lists all the possible winning combinations for that year. Keep it nearby, you will refer to it the whole game. Note that this card changes annually to keep the game fresh.
Step 6. Take Turns Drawing and Discarding
Starting with the dealer (East), players take turns drawing one tile and discarding. Upon discard, the player should announce the tile. This discard is available to be called by other players until the next player draws and racks their tile. The goal of the game is to build one of the hands listed on your card.
Step 7. Call for Discarded Tiles When it Helps You
If another player discards a tile you need, you can call for it instead of waiting your turn, as long as it helps complete a hand you are working toward.
Step 8. Declare Mahjong When You Win
Once your tiles match a full hand exactly as shown on the card, you declare Mahjong and reveal your tiles. Once verified by the other players, the game ends. And another can begin.
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