Culture & Lifestyle • Game

Mahjong

Mahjong is a tile-based game that originated in China and is played in several regional variants, including Chinese and American forms.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Mahjong is a tile-based game that originated in China and is played in several regional variants, including Chinese and American forms. The game usually involves drawing, discarding, and forming sets to complete a winning hand, with rules and scoring that vary by version. It is commonly played by four players and uses a set of engraved tiles rather than cards.

History and variants

Mahjong is a traditional Chinese tile game that became popular in many regions and developed multiple local rule sets. Sources describe Chinese-style play and American mahjong as distinct variants with different tile counts, turn structures, and winning conditions.

Equipment and tile set

Mahjong sets commonly include suited tiles such as bamboo, characters, and dots, plus honor tiles such as winds and dragons. Some versions also include flower and season bonus tiles, bringing the total to 144 tiles in those sets.

Gameplay and scoring

Players take turns drawing tiles and discarding tiles while trying to complete a legal hand. A common winning structure is four melds, such as pungs, chows, or kongs, and one pair, though exact scoring requirements vary by rule set.

Regional rule differences

Chinese, Hong Kong, Japanese, and American mahjong use different terminology, tile sets, and scoring systems. American mahjong is especially distinct because it uses a score card and a different hand structure from many Asian variants.

Key facts

Mahjong is a tile-based game originating in China, typically played by four players.
A standard winning hand consists of four melds and a pair, though rules vary by region.
Mahjong tiles include suits (bamboo, characters, dots) and honor tiles (winds, dragons); some sets add bonus tiles.
Regional variants such as Chinese, American, and Japanese mahjong have distinct tile counts and scoring rules.
Mahjong is often compared to rummy but uses tiles and has different meld types and calling rules.

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Canadian context

Mahjong is played in Canadian communities as a social and recreational game, especially among Chinese-Canadian and other East and Southeast Asian communities.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play mahjong?

Players take turns drawing and discarding tiles to build a winning hand. The usual goal is to complete four sets, such as runs or triplets, plus one pair, though exact play varies by version.

What are the rules of mahjong?

The rules depend on the variant, but a common rule is that a winning hand has four melds and a pair. Players may also be allowed to claim discards to complete a set, and scoring often has a minimum threshold.

How many tiles are in mahjong?

A common set has 136 tiles, while sets with flowers and seasons have 144 tiles. The total depends on the variant and the style of play.

What is the difference between mahjong and rummy?

Mahjong is tile-based, while rummy is usually played with cards. Both games involve forming sets or runs, but mahjong has different tile types, calling rules, and scoring systems.

Can you play mahjong online?

Yes. Mahjong is widely available in digital and online formats, including games, apps, and web-based play, although the rules depend on the specific version offered.

What do the mahjong symbols mean?

The symbols usually identify suits and special tiles. Common suits are bamboo, characters, and dots, while winds and dragons are honor tiles; some sets also include flowers and seasons as bonus tiles.

References

wikiHow — https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Mahjong
Supports: Describes tile suits, the 144-tile setup, and basic gameplay with drawing, discarding, and winning by forming four melds and a pair.
The Spruce Crafts — https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/how-to-play-mahjong-411827
Supports: Explains the 136-tile basic set, tile categories, and the standard winning hand of four sets and a pair.
Mahjong Playbook — https://mahjongplaybook.com/learn/mahjong-beginners-guide/
Supports: Explains drawing, discarding, kongs, and declaring a win; notes that rules and terminology vary by version.
wikiHow — https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Mah-Jongg
Supports: States that Mah Jongg is similar to rummy but uses tiles, and notes the 144-tile set in American mahjong.
Chatteris — https://chatteris.org.hk/learning-to-play-mahjong/
Supports: Describes a four-sets-and-a-pair winning hand and notes regional terminology and rule differences.