American Mah Jongg

About this board game

American Mah Jongg is a rummy-like tile game listed for 2–5 players, with a playing time of about 45 minutes. Traditionally played by four players, it challenges participants to draw tiles, capture combinations, and complete hands from a scoring card.

Players seek pairs, three of a kind, and other combinations while working toward one of the hands listed on the current card. The scoring card gives the game its changing structure, presenting specific goals for players to pursue during play.

• Tile-based rummy-like play focused on drawing and capturing combinations
• Hands built around pairs, three of a kind, and other listed patterns
• Jokers and the Charleston as distinctive elements of the American variant
• An annually released scoring card containing hands and rule changes

When the Chinese tile game reached the United States in the 1920s, it became a popular fad. Although interest later faded, many people continued to play, and different areas developed their own house rules and special hands.

In 1937, Jewish women in New York City organized the National Mah Jongg League to standardize play and streamline scoring. Elements associated with various card games, including Jokers and the Charleston, became part of the American form.

American Mah Jongg continues to be guided by an evolving rules tradition. Each year, the National Mah Jongg League releases a scoring card featuring hands and rule changes, while alternative cards are also published. As of 2026, the game is experiencing somewhat of a resurgence.