Learn mahjong, one lesson at a time
Three short paths take you from never holding a tile to playing a real four-player hand. Every lesson is one article plus one thing to try at the table.
8 lessons
Play your first hand
Eight lessons, Hong Kong rules
Start at zero and finish sitting at a real four-player table. Tiles, rules, scoring and a first win, in the order a beginner actually needs them.
4 lessons
Understand the six rulesets
Four lessons, Hong Kong to American
The same tiles play very differently in Hong Kong, Riichi, Chinese Official, American, Sichuan and Taiwanese rules. Learn what changes before you pick one.
5 lessons
Get better at one ruleset
Five lessons, strategy
Opening hands, discards, defence and the mistakes that cost beginners the most. Written for players who already know the rules.
Mahjong culture
Where the game came from, and how a real table behaves.
The History of Mahjong: From Qing Dynasty China to the World
The fascinating history of mahjong — its origins in 19th-century China, the 1920s Western craze, its reinvention in Japan and America, and where it stands today.
Mahjong Etiquette: The Unwritten Rules of the Table
Learn the etiquette of mahjong — how to handle tiles, when to call, reading the flow, and the social rules that keep the table friendly.
The Best Mahjong Sets for Beginners in 2026
What to look for in a first mahjong set: tile size, material, travel cases and the right accessories. Practical buying advice so you start with the right tiles.
Where to Buy a Mahjong Set Online
Where to buy a mahjong set online: what shops carry, how to check quality, price ranges, and what to avoid when buying your first set.
Terms glossary
Short definitions for the tiles, calls and winning shapes used on this site.