Objective

Understand what you are working toward before the first tile is drawn.

Build a hand from the card

The goal of American Mahjong is to be the first player to complete a valid 14-tile hand shown on the current American Mahjong card.

Unlike versions of Mahjong where players build a standard combination of sets and a pair, American Mahjong uses a card of specific winning hands. Your finished tiles must match one complete hand on that card.

What you’re trying to do

During the game, you will:

  1. Choose one or more possible hands from the card.
  2. Collect the tiles needed for one of those hands.
  3. Draw and discard as your hand develops.
  4. Use eligible discarded tiles to complete exposed groups when helpful.
  5. Adjust your plan when the tiles you need become unavailable.
  6. Call “Mahjong” when your 14 tiles exactly match a valid hand.

Exact means exact

The pattern on the card is your blueprint.

Before declaring Mahjong, check:

  • the correct section of the card
  • the correct suits or suit relationships
  • the correct tile groupings
  • the correct number of tiles
  • whether the hand must be concealed
  • whether any Jokers have been used legally

A hand that is close to the pattern does not count. It must match the hand exactly.