American vs Chinese mahjong: what is the difference?
The short answer
American mahjong uses 152 tiles including 8 jokers, a Charleston before play, and a yearly card that lists every legal winning hand. Chinese and Hong Kong mahjong use 144 tiles with no jokers, no card and no Charleston: you win with four sets and a pair, and scoring depends on your hand's features.
The differences at a glance
| American (League rules) | Hong Kong / Cantonese | |
|---|---|---|
| Tiles | 152, including 8 jokers | 144, with flowers and seasons, no jokers |
| Winning hands | Only hands printed on the current year's card | Any four sets plus a pair |
| Sequences (like 3-4-5) | Not used as sets | Allowed, called chows |
| Charleston | Yes, before play | No |
| Scoring | Value printed on the card | Points called faan for the hand's features; many tables need 3 faan to win |
| Changes yearly? | Yes, a new card each spring | No |
What makes American mahjong different
American mahjong grew up in the United States in the 1920s and 1930s, and the National Mah Jongg League standardized it with a card of approved hands. The card, the jokers and the Charleston make it a game of choosing and switching between set hands. Learn it in how to play American mahjong.
Hong Kong and Chinese mahjong
There are many regional Chinese styles. Hong Kong (Cantonese) mahjong is one of the most widely played. Each player aims to complete four sets, which can be three-of-a-kind or runs in a suit, plus one pair. The hand is then scored by its features, such as being all one suit.
Wright-Patterson rules
Wright-Patterson is a Western style named after the rules from the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base officers' club. It uses a Charleston like American mahjong, plays with 144 tiles (some tables add jokers), has many special hands, and uses a scoring system where every player can earn points, not only the winner.
Which one should you learn?
Learn the version your friends play. In the United States, most social groups and community classes play American mahjong by League rules. If your family plays a Chinese style, learn theirs first. Once you know one, the others come much faster.
Common questions
Can you play American mahjong with a Chinese set?
Not easily. Chinese sets usually have no jokers, which American mahjong needs. Get a set made for American mahjong. See how to choose a set.
Is mahjong solitaire the same game?
No. Mahjong solitaire is a one-player tile-matching game. It only shares the tiles.
Is American mahjong harder than Chinese mahjong?
Neither is harder overall. American mahjong has more rules up front (the card, jokers, the Charleston), while Chinese styles have more complex scoring.