American Mahjong
The variant of mahjong most popular in the United States, played with the NMJL card and featuring jokers and the charleston.
Definition
American Mahjong is the version of mahjong most widely played in the United States. It evolved from the Chinese original in the 1920s and features several unique elements: the use of Joker tiles, the Charleston tile exchange, and a standardized card of valid winning hands published annually by the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL). Four players compete in each game.
How It Works in Gameplay
A game begins with building and breaking the wall, dealing tiles, and performing the Charleston. Players then take turns drawing from the wall and discarding, trying to build a hand matching one of the patterns on the NMJL card. Unlike other mahjong variants, American Mahjong uses eight Joker tiles as wilds, allows groups of five (quints) and six (sextets), and requires hands to match the card exactly. The social atmosphere is a hallmark — conversation at the table is not just allowed, it's expected.
Example
Four friends sit down for their weekly American Mahjong game. They each have their 2026 NMJL cards propped up. After the Charleston, one player announces she's going to try a Consecutive Run hand. The game unfolds with calling, Joker swaps, and lively table talk until someone declares Mah Jongg.
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