What is American Mahjong?

American Mahjong (also called American Mah Jongg) is a tile-based game adapted from Chinese Mahjong, played with 166 tiles and governed by the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) annual card. It is typically played by 4 players and is especially popular in the United States among women's social groups and families.

What's the difference between American Mahjong and Chinese Mahjong?

American Mahjong uses 166 tiles (vs. 144 in Chinese Mahjong), includes joker tiles, and requires an annual NMJL scorecard to play. The rules, scoring, and tile sets are distinct — American sets are not interchangeable with Chinese or Japanese (Riichi) sets.

What comes in an American Mahjong set?

A standard American Mahjong set includes 166 tiles (152 standard + 8 jokers + 6 blank tiles), 4 racks, pushers, dice, and a wind indicator. USA Mahjong sets also come in a premium carrying case.

What materials are American Mahjong tiles made from?

Tiles are commonly made from melamine (durable, matte finish) or acrylic (glossy, premium look). USA Mahjong offers both — melamine sets like The Heritage Ivory and acrylic sets like The Coastal Mist and The Pagoda Sapphire.

Do I need an NMJL card to play American Mahjong?

Yes. The National Mah Jongg League publishes a new scorecard each year with updated winning hands. The card is purchased separately from the NMJL website and is required to play by standard American rules.

What is the best American Mahjong set for beginners?

For beginners, a melamine set is recommended for its durability and value. The Heritage Ivory is a classic choice. If you want something more stylish, the Emerald Line or Azure Line offer premium melamine tiles with elegant backs.

What size are American Mahjong tiles?

Standard American Mahjong tiles are slightly larger than Chinese tiles, making them easier to handle. USA Mahjong tiles are designed to the NMJL standard size for compatibility with all American Mahjong racks.

Can I use an American Mahjong set to play Chinese or Japanese Mahjong?

No. American Mahjong sets include joker tiles and different suit counts that are not compatible with Chinese (MCR) or Japanese (Riichi) rules. You would need a separate set for those game variants.

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Wholesale program

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Bring premium American mahjong sets to your customers — with trade pricing, a dedicated B2B ordering account, and a partnership built to grow your business.

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We read every application ourselves. Tell us where you sell and what you'd like to carry, and we'll come back within 2–3 business days with your B2B account.

1 Your business

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Resale certificate / Tax ID * U.S. accounts only — international: enter N/A

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2 Contact person

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3 What you'd like to carry

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Anything else we should know?

I understand the wholesale minimum is 5 mahjong sets per order, that trade pricing is a competitive discount off retail, applied automatically once my account is active, and that I must supply a valid resale certificate before my account is activated. *

Prefer email? Send the same details to wholesale@LUXmahjong.com

Wholesale terms at a glance

Exclusive trade pricing across the full catalog — applied automatically, visible only after you log in
Minimum 5 sets per order — mix & match any designs
Orders under 5 sets are declined and not shipped
Accessories (NMJL cards, racks, mats) can be added but don't count toward the minimum
Valid resale certificate or tax ID required for U.S. accounts
Review takes 2–3 business days; orders ship in 1–2 business days

What happens next

Application reviewWe verify your resale certificate and assess fit. 2–3 business days.
Account setupWe build your dedicated B2B company account with trade pricing applied automatically.
Login invitationYou'll get an email invite. Sign in with a 6-digit code — no password.
Start orderingBrowse at your trade price, mix any 5+ sets, pay by card, reorder in one click.

Questions before you apply? Email wholesale@LUXmahjong.com — a real person answers.
LuxMahjong reserves the right to approve or decline applications at our discretion. Trade terms are subject to change and all wholesale orders are subject to availability.

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