What's in an American Mahjong Set? Tiles, Jokers, Racks & More

Last updated: October 2026

Opening an American Mahjong set for the first time can feel like a puzzle: 160 tiles, strange symbols, four racks and a pair of dice. This beginner's guide walks through everything in the box, what each tile means, how many of each you should have, and the few extras you need before your first game.

Quick answer

A complete American Mahjong set has 152 playing tiles: 108 suit tiles (Dots, Bams and Craks), 16 Winds, 12 Dragons, 8 Flowers and 8 Jokers. Most sets add 8 blank tiles as spares, for 160 in total. To play you also need four racks (ideally with pushers), two dice and the current year's card from the National Mah Jongg League.

The tiles, one group at a time

The three suits: Dots, Bams and Craks (108 tiles)

Each suit runs from 1 to 9, with four of every number, so each suit has 36 tiles.

• Dots (also called circles): numbered by the count of round dots on the tile.

• Bams (bamboo): numbered by bamboo sticks. The 1 Bam is often drawn as a bird, which surprises many new players.

• Craks (characters): a number symbol over the character for "ten thousand". Many American sets also print a small number in the corner to make them easy to read.

Winds (16 tiles)

North, East, West and South, four of each. The letters N, E, W and S usually appear in the corner.

Dragons (12 tiles)

Red, Green and White, four of each. In American Mahjong each Dragon is paired with a suit: Red goes with Craks, Green with Bams and White with Dots. The White Dragon is nicknamed "Soap", and on the card it also stands in for a zero, for example in hands that spell out the year.

Flowers (8 tiles)

Eight Flower tiles, often decorated with flowers or seasons. In American play all Flowers are interchangeable, so any Flower counts as a Flower.

Jokers (8 tiles)

Jokers are what make a set American. A Joker can stand in for any tile in a group of three or more identical tiles (a pung, kong or quint), but never in a single tile or a pair. Chinese and Hong Kong sets do not include Jokers, so make sure any set you buy has all eight.

Blank tiles (usually 8)

Most sets include extra blank tiles. They are spares in case a tile goes missing, and some groups use them for house rules.

Count check: 108 + 16 + 12 + 8 + 8 = 152 tiles, plus 8 blanks = 160.

Everything else you need

Four racks, ideally with pushers

Each player keeps their tiles on a rack, angled so no one else can see them. Racks with pushers let you slide your wall to the center of the table without reaching. Rack lengths vary, so line up 19 of your tiles, measure them and pick racks close to that length. See our guide on how to choose mahjong racks.

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Two dice

Dice decide who starts as East (the dealer) and where to break the wall before the deal. Any standard dice work, but a weighty pair makes the roll feel like part of the ritual.

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The card

American Mahjong is played from a card that lists every winning hand. The National Mah Jongg League publishes a new card every spring, and most groups play with the current year's card. It is not included with tile sets, so order one before your first game.

A mat (optional, but worth it)

A mat quiets the tiles, protects the table and keeps tiles from sliding. See our guide on how to choose a mahjong mat or browse mahjong mats.

A case or bag

A set of acrylic tiles is heavy and easy to scratch, so it helps to have somewhere to keep it. A clear window carrying case keeps the tiles organized at home, and a travel bag set with a tile pouch and rack sleeve makes it easy to bring your game to a friend's house.

How the set comes together at the table

1. Turn all 152 tiles face down and shuffle them on the table.

2. Each player builds a wall in front of their rack, 19 tiles long and 2 tiles high (4 walls of 38 tiles = 152).

3. Roll the dice to choose East, who also breaks the wall and starts the deal.

4. East takes 14 tiles and every other player takes 13, then everyone places their tiles on their rack.

5. Players pass tiles to each other in the Charleston, then play begins, each player aiming for a hand on the card.

Buying your first set: a short checklist

• 152 playing tiles, including all 8 Jokers (plus blanks as spares)

• Four racks, preferably with pushers

• Two dice

• The current year's card

• Tiles that are easy for you to read

Many of our sets let you add a coordinating mat, or a mat plus four racks, as a style option, so you can get everything in one order. Our best seller is a good place to start:

Holiday Red Christmas Mahjong Set $289.99$369.99 Shop this set

For more options, read our guide to the best American Mahjong sets or shop all American Mahjong sets.

FAQ

How many tiles are in an American Mahjong set?
152 playing tiles. Most sets include 8 blank spares, for 160 tiles in total.

How many Jokers are in American Mahjong?
Eight. Jokers can replace any tile in a group of three or more identical tiles, but not in a single tile or a pair.

What are the blank tiles for?
They are spares that replace a lost or damaged tile. Some groups also use them for house rules.

Can I play American Mahjong with a Chinese set?
Not as it comes. Chinese sets have no Jokers, and many have different tile counts, so you would need to add Jokers.

Is the card included with a set?
No. The National Mah Jongg League publishes it every year, and most players buy the new card each spring.

Shipping: we ship to all US addresses. See our mahjong racks and bags and cases.