Knowledge Hub
American Mahjong FAQ
Your questions answered — from tile counts to custom ordering.
Your questions answered — from tile counts to custom ordering.
A standard American Mahjong set contains 166 tiles:
| Tile Type | Quantity | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Dots (Circles) | 36 | 4 each of numbers 1-9 |
| Bams (Bamboo) | 36 | 4 each of numbers 1-9 |
| Craks (Characters) | 36 | 4 each of numbers 1-9 |
| Winds | 16 | 4 each of N, E, S, W |
| Dragons | 12 | 4 each of Red, Green, White (Soap) |
| Flowers | 8 | Bonus tiles for specific hands |
| Jokers | 8 | Wild tiles (unique to American Mahjong) |
| Blanks | 14 | Spare replacement tiles |
| Total | 166 |
While both games share the same origins, American and Chinese Mahjong have significant differences:
| Feature | American Mahjong | Chinese Mahjong |
|---|---|---|
| Total tiles | 166 | 144 |
| Jokers | 8 (wild tiles) | None |
| Scoring system | NMJL annual card | Points-based |
| The Charleston | Yes (tile passing) | No |
| Racks & pushers | Standard equipment | Not used |
| Annual rule changes | Yes (new card each year) | No |
| Governing body | NMJL (since 1937) | Various regional |
The National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) has been the governing body for American Mahjong since 1937. An NMJL-compliant set contains all 166 required tiles with Arabic numerals and English lettering, ensuring full compatibility with official rules and the annually updated winning-hand card.
At LuckyMahj, all our American Mahjong sets are manufactured to NMJL standards.
| Property | Acrylic | Melamine |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | Excellent | Good |
| Weight feel | Satisfying, substantial | Lighter |
| Color retention | 10,000+ uses | 5,000+ uses |
| Humidity resistance | Excellent | Good |
| Custom printing | UV flatbed (vibrant) | UV flatbed (vibrant) |
| Best for | Premium, gifts, retail | Everyday, bulk orders |
| Price point | Mid-high | Budget-friendly |
Yes. LuckyMahj offers full OEM/ODM customization for American Mahjong sets. You can customize tile artwork (UV flatbed printing), tile back colors, edge stripes, packaging design, and add private labeling. Our minimum order starts at 50 sets with a 15-day lead time. Learn more about our custom service →
| Order Type | Lead Time | MOQ |
|---|---|---|
| Sample orders | 7-10 days | 1-10 sets |
| Standard orders | 10-15 days | 50 sets |
| Custom OEM orders | 15-25 days | 50 sets |
| Large production runs | 20-30 days | 1,000+ sets |
When purchasing an American Mahjong set, verify these five things:
Still have questions? Our team is happy to help. Contact us → or browse our product catalog.