5 Best Mahjong Sets, Including Chinese and American Versions
There are beautiful tiles for every budget.
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Mahjong is a game with a rich history and, some might say, complex rules. But whether you play for the social, mental or aesthetic benefits (those beautiful tiles!), the foundation of any good mahjong game is the set you're using. Our list of the best mahjong sets includes options for both Chinese and American gameplay.
If you want to switch between versions, get an American set, so you'll have enough tiles for both. However, many prefer to stick with the traditional Chinese mahjong. Regardless of which you choose, below you'll find a set at every price point and preference, from bargain friendly to splurge worthy.
Our top picks:
Best Traditional Chinese Set
Yellow Mountain Imports “Double Happiness” Green Tile Professional Chinese Mahjong Game Set
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So dig in, and you'll soon be pushing tiles like a pro.
Pros
- Beautiful wood case
- Customizable joker tiles
- Jumbo tiles are easy to handle and read
Cons
- Wooden racks and pushers are not included
- Oversized tiles do not fit standard racks
Topping our list is this American mahjong set, with its elegant wood case, perfectly oversized tiles and pleasing design. It includes 166 jumbo glitter-embellished tiles that are fun to handle and easy to read. The set also includes dice and a wind indicator, but does not include racks. If you like to play with racks, keep in mind that the jumbo tiles will not fit on standard game racks and will require 20-inch or larger racks, which are available to add on to your purchase.
Reviewers of the site rave that the oversized tiles are great for playing with children and people who have trouble reading small print. One reviewer wrote, “Bought this mahjong set for a dear friend with severe macular degeneration, and she is delighted that she can see the larger tile faces.” Another plus for this set? You can add custom text and a graphic to your joker tiles, adding a dose of fun flair. Easily convertible to play Chinese mahjong as well, this set is versatile and accessible for all ages.
Pros
- Foldable, portable table included
- Budget friendly
Cons
- Small tiles
- Does not include instruction manual
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, travel-friendly Chinese mahjong set, look no further than this mini one that even comes with its own foldable travel board. “Whenever the mood strikes you, you can play mahjong right on top of a stool," one Amazon reviewer wrote. But with such a compact set, reviewers report some downsides. Some people complain that the set is too small for everyday play, noting that the tiles can be hard to stack. Note that this is a Chinese mahjong set and contains 144 tiles and does not include pushers or trays.
Yellow Mountain Imports “Double Happiness” Green Tile Professional Chinese Mahjong Game Set
Pros
- Budget friendly
- Beautiful green tile design
- Sturdy travel case
Cons
- Cannot be converted to play with American Mahjong rules
- Does not include racks and pushers
This Chinese mahjong set comes in a decorative red and gold carrying case and features tiles with a gorgeous green bamboo-inspired stripe design. These tiles are reportedly taller, wider and thicker than the American sets, making it possible to play without the racks and pushers, which aren’t included.
However, when considering your purchase, don’t make this common mistake: Chinese mahjong sets contain only 146 tiles instead of the 166 tiles required to play American mahjong. So if you’re looking to switch between the two game types, opt for an American set, which can usually be converted with some substitutions.
Amazon Reviewers say this set is a good one for beginners, pointing out its simplicity, price point and a simple instruction manual that lays out the basics for Chinese mahjong.
Linda Li American Mahjong Set
Pros
- Soft tote bag carrying case
- Comes with an illustrated guide by mahjong instructor Michele Frizzell
Cons
- Some reviewers said the carrying case could be bigger
- Tiles are on the smaller side
- Plastic trays and pushers have been reported to break easily
If you’re an experienced or eager player that frequents multiple venues, you might want to choose a set with portability in mind.
What makes this American mahjong set special is its soft, quilted tote bag-style carrying case, which you can easily throw over your shoulder as you exit after yet another victory. Another plus for this carrying case: it zippers closed, and even has an extra inside zippered pocket, so you can stash some playing essentials.
The 166 fully engraved and hand-painted melamine tiles are neatly tucked away in two zippered pouches that match the navy blue paisley design of the tote. The set also comes with color-coordinated racks and pushers in translucent pink, green, yellow and blue, so your playmates can pick the color they are feeling that day.
Mark and Graham Acrylic Mahjong Game Set
Pros
- Compact acrylic case
- Customizable
Cons
- Pricey
- Case only stores tiles
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the mahjong enthusiast in your life, consider adding a personal touch to their favorite game with this customizable mahjong set. This set’s tagline is, “Fun to play. Beautiful to display,” and it could not be more accurate. The elegant, compact acrylic box is topped with a cerulean or neon pink cover, which can be customized with a laser-etched monogram for an additional $12.50. With a variety of monogram designs and fonts to choose from, and a quick and easy preview function, you’re sure to find the right one for your mahjong lover.
The American mahjong set features standard tiles and also includes four racks, an instruction booklet for beginners or those looking to refresh their technique, and dice and colorful scoring coins. One downside is that the acrylic box only has enough room to store the tiles, so you’ll need to find another place to put the racks and other game pieces so you don’t lose them.
What is mahjong?
Played with four people seated around a table, mahjong, whether played with Chinese or American rules, is social and simple in nature – all you need is three fellow players, a mahjong set and somewhere to sit.
Through a process of rolling dice and shuffling, drawing and discarding tiles, players vie for matching sets and high scores that will secure a win when someone calls "mahjong!” and ends the game.
Developed in the mid-to-late 1800s in the Yangtze River Delta in Eastern China, mahjong originally grew in popularity in metropolitan hubs like Shanghai and Beijing. In the 1920s, American businessmen began marketing the game to American expats in China before introducing and popularizing the game to audiences in the United States. In the U.S. after World War II, mahjong also became popular within the Jewish community, particularly with women.
In 1937, a group of women in New York City formed the National Mah-jongg League, where they standardized and simplified some of the rules of Chinese mahjong and created a slightly different American version called "maahj" for short. The league, started with just a handful of players, now has more than 350,000 members.
What is the difference between American and Chinese mahjong sets?
There are a couple of key differences between the two versions:
- American mahjong sets have 166 tiles, which includes all the tiles included in 144-tile Chinese mahjong sets, but also has additional joker tiles and features Roman letters and Arabic numerals for those who can’t read Chinese characters.
- American mahjong also uses racks, which aren’t always used while playing Chinese mahjong, though different players and communities vary the rules based on preference.
How to choose a mahjong set
First, consider which type of mahjong you're playing — Chinese, American or another variant, such as Japanese. The set you buy will vary in the number of tiles and other game elements based on the rules of the particular version. When in doubt, buy an American mahjong set since they usually contain all the tiles used in Chinese mahjong and can be converted with some substitutions. Other considerations for choosing your mahjong set include:
- Aesthetic preferences, especially with regard to tile design
- Size and weight of the set
- Portability
- Budget
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
After years of playing logic and strategy games, Minhae Shim Roth was introduced to mahjong by her grandmother-in-law. Interested in the history and cultural significance of the game, Roth looked to recent scholarship on mahjong, and researched written and visual reviews and other digital resources to compile this list of featured products.
She has contributed to Good Housekeeping since 2020, and has written on a variety of topics for many publications, including Glamour, History and Romper.
Minhae Shim Roth is a writer and reporter based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
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