American Mahjong Guide · UES Mahjong

The Tiles

Dots · 4 of each, 1–9

Circular "dot" tiles numbered one through nine.

Bams · 4 of each, 1–9

Bamboo "bam" tiles numbered one through nine. The 1-Bam is traditionally a bird.

Craks · 4 of each, 1–9

Character "crak" tiles with Chinese numerals, one through nine.

Winds · 4 each

North · East · West · South

Dragons · 4 each

Red (Crak) · Green (Bam) · Soap (Dot)

Flowers · 8 total

Decorative tiles often used as a pair.

Jokers · 8 total

Wild tiles, with restrictions (see Joker Rules).

Tile Counts

152 Total Tiles 4 Each Suited Tile 4 Each Wind 4 Each Dragon 8 Flowers 8 Jokers

The Charleston

First Charleston — R · O · L (Required)

Pass 3 tiles Right
Pass 3 tiles Over
Pass 3 tiles Left (can blind pass)

Second Charleston — L · O · R (Optional)

Pass 3 tiles Left
Pass 3 tiles Over
Pass 3 tiles Right (can blind pass)

Courtesy Pass — After Second Charleston

Exchange 0–3 tiles with the player across from you.

Game Flow

Pick a Tile — draw from the wall
Joker Swap — optional: swap jokers from exposed sets
Discard — place one tile face up and announce it

Direction of Play

↻ Play moves counter-clockwise

↺ Wall moves clockwise

Joker Rules

Jokers Allowed

In Pungs (3 of a kind)
In Kongs (4 of a kind)
In Quints (5 of a kind)
In Sextets (6 of a kind, when specified)

Jokers Not Allowed

In Singles or Pairs (1 · 22)
In Unlike Number Groupings (2468 · 135)
In Runs or Sequences
In Winds (NEWS · NN · EE)
Cannot be passed in the Charleston

Calling Tiles

A discarded tile may be called to complete an exposed Pung, Kong, Quint, or Sextet
Tiles may not be called for Singles, Pairs, or Concealed hands (marked "C" on the card)
Exception: Any tile (except Jokers) can be called to declare Mahjong
When calling, clearly name the tile and immediately reveal the completed set

Reading the Card

NEWS: Any Wind tile (North, East, West, South)
Any: Any tile from that suit (numbers 1–9)
1–9: Specific numbers required
(C): Concealed hand — keep tiles hidden
X: Exposed — show tiles when called
Dragons: Red · Crak · Green · Bam · Soap · Dot

Colors on the Card

Colors refer to suits (Dots · Bams · Craks), not numbers.

One Color — all tiles from same suit

Two Colors — tiles from two different suits

Three Colors — tiles from three different suits

Hand Types

Patterns shown are examples. Always follow the current NMJL card.

TypePatternDescriptionJokers?

PairFFTwo identical tilesNo jokers allowed

Pung111Three identical tilesJokers allowed

Kong2222Four identical tilesJokers allowed

Quint33333Five identical tilesJokers allowed

Sextet444444Six identical tiles (when specified on the card)Jokers allowed

Run123Three consecutive tiles (same suit)No jokers allowed

Winning — Mahjong!

Match one complete hand exactly as shown on the card
You may win by calling a discarded tile (Jokers cannot be called)
Clearly say "Mahjong!" and reveal your full hand
Wins from a self-drawn tile (from the wall) score double
An incorrect exposure results in a dead hand and the win is forfeited

Etiquette

Do

Clearly announce each discard
Pause briefly to allow others to call
Keep your rack neat and easy to read
Acknowledge and celebrate the wins

Don't

Draw from the wall before your turn
Change or reclaim a discarded tile
Peek at other players' racks
Pressure players to move faster

Quick Tips for Beginners

Choose hands with simpler requirements to start (fewer pairs, no concealed sets)
Stay flexible — avoid locking into one hand too early
Pay attention to discards to help guide safe plays
Early in the game, Winds and Dragons are often safe to discard (unless needed)
Spend time getting comfortable with the card — it gets easier with practice