What is Mahjong?

Mahjong is a tile game, traditionally played with four players (but there are 2 and 3 player versions). It originated in China and there are many different variations across countries and cultures. In the 1920’s, it was brought to the US and adopted in social circles of the Jewish community. From there, a standard set of rules and annual winning hands (the “card”) was developed by the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL).

What do I need to start playing?

To play American Mahjong, you'll need a few key items:

• A complete mahjong set of 152 tiles.

• Four racks for each player to hold their tiles.

• A current year's NMJL (National Mahjong League) card, which lists all the legal winning hands. All four players must use the same card.

• A mahjong mat is highly recommended to protect your table and reduce noise.

Where can I purchase a NMJL Card?

Not Amazon! It is great for many things, but the cards they have are not the real deal. The NMJL site is the true source, however many reliable Mahjong vendors (including me - here’s the link!) sell them as well for the same price and may have faster shipping. Don’t forget to double-check if you prefer the Large or the Regular!

Note: the new year’s card starts shipping on April 1st every year. You won’t find a “new” one until after then.

Where should I look for Mahjong sets?

There are so many options for where to shop! Check out my Supplies & Sources page for links and discount codes to some of my favorite Mahjong stores. The main thing to look for is a quality, engraved sets with a good reputation - check reviews, ask around (or ask me!) and if you can, try to play with them first. It can be a big investment, so take your time!

I'm not ready to commit to a purchase; how can I still play?

Renting the full setup is an easy way to keep playing without the investment! The Lucky Sparrow offers various options so you can try out different brands, color schemes, and setups until you decide what you like. Check out my Mahjong Kit Rental page for more information!

Where do lessons occur?

Lesson locations are up to you! I’ll travel to you for your group to have an in-home lesson. You just need to provide a table and chairs - I bring everything else!