The Fundamentals
American Mahjong is played with four players using a standard set of 152 tiles, which includes 36 Craps (Characters), 36 Bams (Bamboos), 36 Dots (Circles), 16 Winds, 12 Dragons, 8 Flowers, and 8 Jokers. The objective of the game is to be the first player to assemble a 14-tile hand that perfectly matches one of the combinations listed on the current annual National Mah Jongg League card.
The Charleston Sequence
Before standard play begins, players engage in a mandatory tile exchange known as the Charleston. The sequence proceeds in a strict order:
- First Right: Pass 3 unwanted tiles to the player on your right.
- First Across: Pass 3 tiles to the player sitting directly opposite you.
- First Left: Pass 3 tiles to the player on your left. (Blind passing up to 3 tiles is permitted if you wish to keep incoming tiles).
A second Charleston may be initiated if all four players agree. The second sequence follows Left, Across, and Right. Finally, players may engage in an optional "Courtesy Pass" of 0 to 3 tiles with the player sitting across from them.
Calling Discards & Exposures
During live play, tiles may only be claimed immediately when discarded by another player. You may only claim a discarded tile to complete an exposure (Pung, Kong, Quint, or Sextet) or to declare Mahjong. Single tiles and pairs can never be claimed from a discard unless it is the final tile needed to complete your winning hand.