What Are the Different Types of Mahjong?

Chinese, American, Riichi? What's the difference between all the different mahjong variants?

Lisa-Marie Stienessen

11/1/20267 min read

Seniors playing a game of mahjong together on a green table.

What's the Difference Between the Different Types of Mahjong?

One of the questions I occasionally get from my mahjong students is, "What's the difference between American Mahjong and Chinese Mahjong?" Sometimes they've seen people playing mahjong in a movie, discovered a mahjong game on their phone, or noticed that the tiles in another mahjong set look different from the ones we use in class.

The short answer is that there are several different versions of mahjong, and while they share many similarities, the rules are totally different.

I teach American Mahjong, which is the version most commonly played in organized social groups throughout the United States. But mahjong has a fascinating history, and understanding where our version fits into the larger mahjong world makes the game even more interesting.

Let's explore the differences!

First, a Little Mahjong History

Mahjong originated in China during the 1800s. The game became popular throughout China before spreading to other parts of Asia and eventually the United States in the early 1920s.

As mahjong traveled around the world, different countries and regions developed their own variations. Some changed how players scored points. Others introduced new tiles, special rules, or entirely different ways to win.

When mahjong became wildly popular in the United States during the 1920s, American players began developing their own rules and winning combinations.

Eventually, there were so many variations that players couldn't always agree on how to play!

In 1937, the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) was established in New York City to standardize American Mahjong. The organization began publishing standardized rules and winning hands, creating the foundation for the American game we play today.

One of the League's most distinctive traditions is publishing a new card of winning hands every year.

What Do All Types of Mahjong Have in Common?

Despite their differences, most versions of mahjong share the same basic foundation.

Four players: Most traditional versions are designed for four people, although three-player variations also exist.
Similar tiles: Most versions use three numbered suits (Dots, Bams, and Craks), along with Winds and Dragons.
Drawing and discarding: Players take turns drawing and discarding tiles as they work toward a winning hand.
Strategy: Every version involves decisions about which tiles to keep, which to discard, and what your opponents might be collecting.
A little luck: No matter which version you play, sometimes the tiles cooperate and sometimes they don't!

The biggest differences are how winning hands are constructed, which tiles are used, and how the game is scored.

American Mahjong: The Version I Teach

American Mahjong is unique because players must create specific combinations of tiles listed on a card published annually by the National Mah Jongg League.

What Makes American Mahjong Different?

The annual card: The NMJL publishes a new card of winning combinations every year. Part of the fun is learning the new card and adjusting your strategy.
Jokers: American Mahjong uses eight jokers. These can substitute for other tiles in certain groupings, giving players more flexibility.
The Charleston: Before regular play begins, players exchange tiles through a structured series of passes. This is one of my favorite parts of the game because it introduces strategy before anyone even takes their first turn.
Racks: American players typically use racks to organize their tiles and display exposed combinations.
Specific winning hands: You cannot simply collect any four sets and a pair. Your tiles must match a hand on the current card.

Chinese Mahjong: The Original Foundation

When people refer to "Chinese Mahjong," they're often talking about a broad family of mahjong games rather than one specific set of rules.

There are numerous regional Chinese variations, including Hong Kong Mahjong, Sichuan Mahjong, and Chinese Official Mahjong.

However, many Chinese versions have several important things in common.

How Is Chinese Mahjong Different From American Mahjong?

In many traditional Chinese versions, players work toward a winning hand consisting of four sets and a pair.

Those sets may include:

Chows: Three consecutive numbers in the same suit, such as 3-4-5 Dots.
Pungs: Three identical tiles, similar to a pung in American Mahjong.
Kongs: Four identical tiles, similar to a kong in American Mahjong.
Pairs: Two identical tiles.

There are also special winning hands that follow different patterns.

Unlike American Mahjong, traditional Chinese versions do not use an annual card, jokers, or the Charleston.

Another difference is that sequences, or chows, are an important part of many Chinese versions.

Chinese Mahjong also uses different scoring systems. Instead of looking up the value printed next to a winning hand on the NMJL card, players earn points based on particular combinations or characteristics of their completed hand.

If you've learned American Mahjong, many of the tiles and some of the terminology will feel familiar. But you'll need to learn a different approach to building a winning hand.

Hong Kong Mahjong: A Popular Chinese Variation

Hong Kong Mahjong is one of the better-known Chinese styles, particularly among Cantonese-speaking communities.

It uses the familiar numbered suits, Winds, and Dragons, generally without jokers.

Players typically work toward four sets and a pair, although special winning hands are also possible.

One of the biggest differences is the scoring system. Hong Kong Mahjong commonly uses a system called faan, which awards value for features of the winning hand.

For example, a player might earn additional value by collecting certain Dragons, using only one suit, or creating particular combinations.

Many Hong Kong rule sets require a minimum number of faan to win, although the exact minimum varies.

Compared with American Mahjong, Hong Kong Mahjong offers more flexibility in choosing which combinations to build, but players must also learn how to recognize and score those combinations.

Japanese Mahjong: Also Called Riichi Mahjong

Japanese Mahjong, commonly called Riichi Mahjong, developed from Chinese Mahjong but evolved into its own distinctive game.

Riichi has a reputation for being highly strategic, particularly when it comes to defensive play.

What Makes Riichi Mahjong Unique?

Riichi declaration: A player with a concealed hand that is one tile away from winning can declare "Riichi," committing to that hand and placing a points deposit.
Yaku: A winning hand generally must include at least one recognized scoring pattern called a yaku.
Dora: Certain tiles provide bonus value to a winning hand, although dora alone cannot satisfy the yaku requirement.
Defensive strategy: Players pay close attention to opponents' discards and try to avoid giving someone the tile they need to win.
No jokers or Charleston: Standard four-player Riichi Mahjong doesn't use either.

Riichi typically uses 136 tiles, compared with the 152 tiles in a standard American Mahjong set.

If you're an American Mahjong player who enjoys analyzing your opponents' discards and thinking several moves ahead, you might find Riichi especially interesting.

However, its scoring system is quite different from ours and can take some time to learn.

Taiwanese Mahjong: More Tiles in Your Hand

Taiwanese Mahjong has one particularly noticeable difference: players normally hold 16 tiles instead of 13.

A winning hand generally contains 17 tiles, compared with the 14 tiles required to win in American Mahjong and many other versions.

Players typically create five sets and a pair rather than four sets and a pair.

Taiwanese Mahjong also uses its own scoring system, often based on units called tai.

Because players are working with more tiles, hands can involve additional combinations and decisions.

Like most traditional Chinese-style variations, Taiwanese Mahjong generally doesn't use jokers, the Charleston, or an annual card.

Other Mahjong Variations Around the World

Mahjong's popularity has produced many other regional versions. A few worth knowing about include:

Singaporean and Malaysian Mahjong

These variations share similarities with Chinese Mahjong but often introduce special bonus tiles, including animal tiles.

The scoring rules and tile sets can vary significantly between local traditions.

Chinese Official Mahjong

Also called Mahjong Competition Rules (MCR), this version was developed for standardized competitive play.

It features an extensive scoring system with 81 recognized scoring patterns and generally requires a minimum of eight points to win.

This style is particularly interesting because it was created to provide consistent rules for competitive players.

Sichuan Mahjong

Popular in parts of China, Sichuan Mahjong frequently uses only the three numbered suits, leaving out Winds and Dragons.

Some versions feature a rule that allows play to continue after the first player wins, creating a very different game experience.

All these variations demonstrate how one basic tile game has developed into many distinct traditions.

Can You Use the Same Mahjong Set for Different Versions?

This is a particularly useful question for anyone shopping for their first mahjong set.

When I recommend sets to my beginner students, I always tell them to look specifically for an American Mahjong set with at least 152 tiles, including eight jokers.

Some beautiful mahjong sets sold online are actually designed for Chinese Mahjong and don't include jokers.

That doesn't make them bad sets. They're simply intended for a different version of the game.

Here's What to Know About Mahjong Sets

American Mahjong sets: Typically include at least 152 tiles, with eight jokers, and are often sold with racks.
Chinese Mahjong sets: Commonly contain 144 tiles, including Flowers and Seasons, but generally no jokers.
Japanese Riichi sets: Usually contain 136 tiles and may feature special red five tiles.
Taiwanese Mahjong sets: Often contain 144 tiles, similar to many Chinese sets, but are used to play the 16-tile-hand variation.

Many American sets can be adapted for some Chinese variations by setting aside the jokers, although you may need to make other adjustments depending on the rules.

However, you generally cannot play standard American Mahjong with a typical Chinese set unless you add the missing jokers.

My advice is to make sure you buy the correct type of set before getting distracted by all the beautiful colors and designs! If you want more details about how to choose a mahjong set, here's a complete article: Choosing Your First Mahjong Set!

The Bottom Line: Same Tiles, Different Games

So, what's the difference between the different types of mahjong?

The simplest explanation is that they share a common origin and many of the same tiles, but use different rules for building winning hands, scoring points, and playing the game.

American Mahjong stands out because of its annual card, jokers, and the Charleston. Chinese and Hong Kong Mahjong emphasize traditional sets and scoring combinations. Japanese Riichi adds additional strategic and defensive elements, while Taiwanese Mahjong uses larger hands.

There's no single "best" version. Each has its own history, traditions, and challenges.

If you're interested in learning American Mahjong, I'd love to introduce you to the game! Visit LetsLearnMahjong.com to find an upcoming beginner class or an opportunity to practice your skills.

Whether you're completely new to mahjong or just curious about its different variations, there's always more to learn—and that's part of what makes this game so much fun!