Glossary

Mahjong Terms You Should Know

Whether you're brand new to the table or a seasoned player, this glossary covers the essential terminology for American Mahjong and beyond.

A C E H J K M N P Q R S W

A

American Mahjong

The variant of mahjong most popular in the United States, played with the NMJL card and featuring jokers and the charleston.

C

Charleston

The three-pass tile exchange at the start of an American Mahjong game — first left, then across, then right.

Chinese Mahjong

The original form of mahjong from China, with different rules, no jokers, and no NMJL card. Many regional variants exist.

Cold Wall

The early portion of the game when many tiles remain in the wall and offensive play is safer.

Concealed Hand

A winning hand where no exposures were made — all tiles were drawn from the wall. Worth double the hand value.

E

Exposure

A set of tiles placed face-up on the rack, visible to all players, obtained by calling a discard.

H

Hot Wall

When the remaining tiles in the wall are running low, typically the last ~20 tiles. Defensive play becomes critical.

J

Joker

A wild tile that can substitute for any tile in a group of three or more in American Mahjong.

K

Kong

A set of four identical tiles. Can include jokers in American Mahjong.

M

Mah Jongg

Completing a hand that matches a pattern on the NMJL card, winning the game. Also the name of the game itself.

N

NMJL

National Mah Jongg League — the governing body that publishes the annual card of valid hands for American Mahjong.

P

Passing

The act of exchanging tiles during the charleston, or deciding which tiles to give away.

Picking

Drawing a tile from the wall on your turn — the primary way to add tiles to your hand.

Pung

A set of three identical tiles. Can be exposed by calling a discard or kept concealed in the hand.

Q

Quint

A set of five identical tiles, only possible with jokers. Unique to American Mahjong.

R

Rack

The angled holder where players organize their tiles during play. Also refers to the tiles a player is currently holding.

Riichi

A Japanese variant of mahjong featuring riichi declarations, dora tiles, and complex yaku (winning pattern) requirements.

S

Sextet

A set of six identical tiles, only possible with jokers. Unique to American Mahjong.

Singles and Pairs

A category of hands on the NMJL card requiring only single tiles and pairs — no groups of three or more. Cannot use jokers.

W

Wall Game

A hand that ends with no winner when all tiles from the wall have been drawn.