I'm Brand New
Discover the tiles, basic rules, and how a game works.
Learn the BasicsYour friendly guide to American Mahjong
Learn American Mahjong,one tile at a time.
New to Mahjong? Returning after years away? Learn the rules, recognize the tiles, and build your confidence with easy-to-follow lessons and interactive practice.
Find your starting point
Everyone starts somewhere.
Whether you're picking up your first Mahjong tile or returning to a game you once loved, we'll help you find your next step.
I'm Returning to Mahjong
Refresh your memory, review the rules, and get comfortable playing again.
Refresh Your SkillsI Want to Improve
Explore strategy, tile decisions, and practical exercises.
Explore StrategyLearn the essentials
Everything you need to get started.
Four approachable guides cover the tiles, the rules, the setup, and the card — everything a new player needs to feel ready for a first game.
Understanding American Mahjong Tiles
Meet the three suits, the honors, the Flowers, and the Joker — the building blocks of every hand.
Read the Complete Guide →
American Mahjong Rules Explained
A clear walkthrough of how a game flows — from the deal through the Charleston to calling Mahjong.
Read the Complete Guide →
How to Set Up a Mahjong Game
Racks, walls, and winds — the simple steps to get a table ready for your first round.
Full guide coming soon
How to Read Your Mahjong Card
Learn how the NMJL card organizes hands by category and what the lines, x's, and numbers mean.
Full guide coming soonInteractive training
Learn by doing, not just reading.
Reading the rules is a great start. Practicing what you've learned helps make it stick. Our interactive lessons will help you recognize tiles, understand game concepts, and build confidence at your own pace.
Mahjong Tile Recognition Trainer
Practice identifying Dots, Bams, Craks, Winds, Dragons, Flowers, and Jokers with simple interactive exercises.
Now available — try it belowOpen the full trainer page →
Tile Recognition Trainer
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Your learning journey
Your first steps to playing American Mahjong.
- 01
Meet the Tiles
Learn the suits, honors, Flowers, and Joker.
- 02
Set Up the Game
Racks, walls, and assigning the winds.
- 03
Understand the Rules
How turns, draws, and discards work.
- 04
Learn the Charleston
The passing routine that opens each hand.
- 05
Practice Your First Game
Put it all together in a guided round.
Full lesson pages are on the way. Once published, each step above will link to its lesson.
Popular guides
Helpful guides for new players.
How to Play American Mahjong
A complete walkthrough of a game from setup to calling Mahjong.
Read GuideAmerican Mahjong Rules
The essential rules every player should know, explained simply.
Article coming soonAmerican Mahjong Tiles
A visual guide to the 152 tiles — Bams, Craks, Dots, Winds, Dragons, Flowers, and Jokers.
Read GuideThe Charleston Explained
Why we pass tiles and how to make the most of each exchange.
Read GuideUnderstanding Jokers
What Jokers can (and can't) do, and when to use them.
Article coming soonCommon Beginner Mistakes
The slip-ups new players make most — and how to avoid them.
Article coming soonBeginner Mahjong Strategy
Simple ways to think ahead without overwhelming yourself.
Article coming soonEverything you need for your first game
From your first set of tiles to racks, mats, and accessories, learn what you need and what you can skip.
Mahjong equipment
Build your starter kit, one piece at a time.
A beginner-friendly overview of Mahjong gear — what matters, what's optional, and what to look for when you're ready to buy.
Explore Mahjong EquipmentBuying guides and recommendations are on the way. No product ratings or recommendations are published yet.
Keep learning between games.
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