Mahjong tiles explained: what every tile means
The short answer
An American mahjong set has 152 tiles: three suits (bams, craks and dots) numbered 1 to 9 with four of each, plus 16 winds, 12 dragons, 8 flowers and 8 jokers. Each dragon belongs with one suit, and the white dragon, called Soap, can also stand for zero.
How many tiles are in an American mahjong set?
152 tiles. Some sets include a few spare or blank tiles, which are put away unless your group uses them.
| Type | What it looks like | How many |
|---|---|---|
| Bams (bamboo) | Bamboo sticks; the 1 bam is often a bird | 36 (1 to 9, four of each) |
| Craks (characters) | A number with a Chinese character | 36 (1 to 9, four of each) |
| Dots (circles) | Circles, like coins | 36 (1 to 9, four of each) |
| Winds | North, East, West, South | 16 (four of each) |
| Dragons | Red, Green and White (Soap) | 12 (four of each) |
| Flowers | Flowers or other artwork, all count the same | 8 |
| Jokers | Marked "Joker" | 8 |
That adds up to 108 suit tiles plus 16 winds, 12 dragons, 8 flowers and 8 jokers: 152.
The three suits
Bams, craks and dots are the number tiles. Most hands on the card ask for certain numbers in one, two or three suits. Players usually just say the number and suit: "five crak", "one bam".
Dragons and which suit they belong to
Green dragon goes with bams, red dragon goes with craks, and white dragon (Soap) goes with dots.
When the card shows a dragon in the same color as a group of numbers, it means the dragon that matches that suit. The white dragon is often a plain or framed blank tile, which is why players call it Soap.
Soap has a second job. In hands that spell out the year, such as 2026, Soap is used as the zero.
Winds
There are four of each wind: North, East, West and South. The card often abbreviates one of each as NEWS. Winds have no suit.
Flowers
The eight flowers may show different pictures or seasons, but in American mahjong they are all the same tile. Any flower matches any other flower.
Jokers
Jokers are the wild tiles that make American mahjong different from Chinese versions. They can replace any tile, but only inside a group of three or more. The full rules are in jokers in American mahjong.
Common questions
Can I play American mahjong with a Chinese mahjong set?
Not as it comes. Chinese and Hong Kong sets usually have 144 tiles and no jokers. Some people add joker stickers to spare tiles, but a set made for American mahjong is much easier.
Why is the white dragon called Soap?
Because it often looks like a plain bar of soap: a white tile with a simple frame or no design at all.
What are the blank tiles in my set for?
Many sets include spares in case a tile is lost. Some groups also use blanks under house rules. If your group does not, put them back in the box.
Do flower pictures matter?
No. In American mahjong every flower counts as the same tile, whatever picture is on it.