To play American Mah Jongg comfortably and efficiently, here’s what you’ll need:

The Table

A 36″ x 36″ table is recommended to give each player enough space for their tiles, racks, and personal playing areaThe open area located within the center of the table that is naturally created by the racks of the four… More.

The NMJL Card

Every player must have an official copy of the current National Mah Jongg LeagueThe organization responsible for annually publishing and mailing the NMJL Card. This organization also publishes the official rules to American Mah… More (NMJL) Card. This card lists the only valid hands for the game and changes annually.

Dice

Two six-sided dice are required to:

• Randomly select the first EastThe player position that is referred to as Dealer, East, Pivot, or First Player. This player is responsible for breaking the… More (sometimes called the DealerThe player position that is referred to as Dealer, East, Pivot, or First Player. This player is responsible for breaking the… More).
• Determine where EastThe player position that is referred to as Dealer, East, Pivot, or First Player. This player is responsible for breaking the… More breaks the wallThe action of the Dealer at the beginning of a game where the Dealer rolls the dice to determine which… More

Mah Jongg Tile Racks

Each player should have a Mah Jongg tile rack to:

• Organize and conceal tiles from opponents
• Build and serve their wall with ease
• Display exposures in an orderly manner
• Clearly show a winning handWhen a player has 14 tiles arranged in groupings that match one of the hands displayed on the current National… More after declaring Mah Jongg for verification

Chips

American Mah Jongg typically uses chips to track winnings. The chip colors and values can vary, but a common setup is:

• White Chips = 10 points
• Red Chips = 25 points
• Blue Chips = 50 points
• Yellow Chips = 100 points

Since chip values aren’t standardized, the host should set and communicate the values before the game starts.

Starting Chip Count

All players should begin with an equal total value of chips (e.g., 500 or 1000 points).

Alternative Scoring Methods

If chips aren’t available, players can keep score with pen and paper.

Playing for Money

Some players choose to replace chips with real money (nickels, dimes, quarters, or dollars). Others exchange currency for chips to keep cash off the table.

👉 Note: The American Mah Jongg AssociationThe organization known for fast and friendly customer service while focusing on providing tools, tips, and opportunities to connect with… More does not promote or encourage gambling. Be sure to check local, state, and federal laws regarding playing for money before doing so.