Learn Mahjong — Rules, Strategy & Free Online Games
The definitive field guide to mahjong rules, regional variants, and strategy.
The Learning Path
Start with the rules shared across variants, then move into the scoring and strategy used at your table.
- 01
Choose your ruleset
Identify what your group plays before memorizing scoring or special hands.
- 02
Learn the turn
Draw, improve, discard, and understand when another player may claim a tile.
- 03
Build a legal hand
Recognize sets, pairs, and the exceptions that make your variant distinct.
How to Play Mahjong
Learn how to play mahjong step by step: identify the tiles, follow a turn, make sets, complete a hand, and choose the right regional rules before playing.
Read guideAmerican Mahjong Rules
Learn American mahjong rules for 2026: read the current card, complete the Charleston, use jokers legally, call tiles, expose sets, and declare Mah Jongg.
Read guideChinese Mahjong Rules
Learn Chinese mahjong rules without mixing regional systems. Follow the shared turn structure, build a legal hand, then choose MCR, Hong Kong, or local scoring.
Read guideMahjong Scoring
Learn how mahjong scoring works across Hong Kong, MCR, riichi, and American rules, including legal-hand checks, pattern value, payments, and examples.
Read guideHow to Play Mahjong With 2 Players
Learn how to play mahjong with 2 players by choosing a documented format, setting the wall and turn rules, preserving hidden information, and scoring fairly.
Read guideMahjong Hands: Shapes, Waits and Winning Hands
Learn how mahjong hands work: sets, pairs, open and concealed melds, common waits, special winning structures, and the key differences between rulesets.
Read guideCompare Mahjong Variants
See what changes before you choose a guide.
Play Mahjong Online
Games open in place with provider and source details shown below each frame.
Browse by Topic
Jump to rules, reference entries, strategy, or tools.
Learn the Rules First
Begin with the shared turn structure, then choose the ruleset used at your table.