Resources
Mahjong Resources & Recommendations
Everything here is something I actually use or recommend to my students. To play American Mah Jongg at home you need four things: a set with 152 tiles including jokers, the current NMJL card, four racks with pushers, and a mat. The details, and my favorite places to get them, are below. And for game night itself, print my free Charleston cheat sheet.
Oh My Mahjong (Instructor Discount)
I'm a certified Oh My Mahjong instructor, and their sets and accessories are the ones my students ask about most. If you'd like to shop, my link plus code MKEMAHJONG gets you a discount. No pressure, ever.
Shop Oh My Mahjong →Use code MKEMAHJONG at checkout.
Affiliate link that supports free lessons content.
The Official NMJL Card
The heart of the American game. Order the large-print card directly from the National Mah Jongg League. Proceeds support their charity giving, a tradition since 1937.
Get the NMJL card →I usually have cards at your first lesson for $15, while supplies last.
Practice Online: I Love Mahj
My favorite way to practice between lessons: real American mahjong in your browser with the current card, friendly bots, and training tools that flag your options.
Visit ilovemahj.com →Yellow Mountain Imports
Solid, well-priced American mahjong sets with 152 tiles, racks, pushers, and totes. A dependable first set if you're not ready for the designer end of the pool.
Browse sets →Starter checklist
What you need to play at home
Don’t buy anything before your first lesson. I bring it all. But when you’re ready for a set of your own, this is the whole list.
An American set: 152 tiles
American Mah Jongg needs a set with jokers included (152 tiles total). Chinese sets don’t have them, so check the count before you buy.
The current NMJL card
The National Mah Jongg League publishes a new card of winning hands every year. One per player, and yes, it has to be this year’s.
4 racks with pushers
Racks hold your tiles and build the wall; pushers make dealing smooth. Most sets include them, but confirm: you want all four.
A mat and a table
A soft mat quiets the tiles and keeps them from sliding. Any square card table works. Mahjong was made for them.
Shortcut: new students can pick up an official NMJL card at their first lesson for $15, while supplies last.
A note on affiliate links: some links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. I only link to products I genuinely use and recommend to my own students, and commissions help me keep publishing free mahjong guides and lessons content.
Rather try before you buy?
Come to a lesson first. I bring the tiles, racks, cards, and mats, so you can fall in love with the game before spending a dime on gear.