Free Printable American Mahjong Rules PDF

New to American Mahjong? This quick-reference guide covers everything you need to know to play — and it's designed to be printed and kept at the table. No more scrambling to remember the rules mid-game.

Quick Setup

1. Shuffle all 152 tiles face-down on the table
2. Each player builds a wall: 2 rows of 19 tiles, stacked
3. Roll dice to choose the dealer
4. Dealer distributes tiles: 13 tiles per player, dealer takes 14

The Charleston (Tile Passing)

First Charleston (required)

• Pass 3 tiles left
• Pass 3 tiles across
• Pass 3 tiles right

Second Charleston (optional)

• Pass 3 tiles right
• Pass 3 tiles across
• Pass 3 tiles left

Courtesy Pass (optional)

• Exchange 1–3 tiles with the player across from you

Tip: You must pass exactly the number of tiles required. You can pass unwanted tiles you just received.

Gameplay

• Players take turns drawing one tile from the wall and discarding one tile
• You may also call a discarded tile — but only if it completes your winning hand (Mah Jongg)
• If you call a tile, you must declare Mah Jongg immediately
• The first player to complete a valid hand wins the round

Winning

• Your completed hand must match one of the hands on the current NMJL card
• Call "Mah Jongg!" when your hand is complete
• Hands can be open (called tiles allowed) or closed (all tiles drawn from the wall)
• Check your NMJL card for point values

Joker Rules

• Jokers are wild — they can substitute for any tile
• Jokers can only be used in groups of 3 or more identical tiles
• Jokers cannot be used in pairs
• A player can swap a joker from an exposed set by replacing it with the tile it represents

Key Terms

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Calling a tile after the next player has already drawn
• Using a joker in a pair
• Playing with last year's NMJL card
• Passing the wrong number of tiles during the Charleston

Get Your NMJL Card

The NMJL card changes every year. Make sure you're playing with the 2026 edition — you can order it directly from the National Mah Jongg League website.

Want to Learn More?

• American Mahjong Rules for Beginners: A Complete Guide
• How to Read the American Mahjong Card (2026 Edition)
• Best American Mahjong Sets — Our Picks

Keep this sheet handy for your first few games — it gets easier every time. And if you're looking for a thoughtful gift for a new Mahjong player, our handmade Mahjong bags — crafted from authentic designer scarves — make a wonderful surprise. 🀄