What is the difference between American and Chinese mahjong?
American mahjong uses eight jokers, a card of required winning hands that changes every year, and a tile passing round called the Charleston. Chinese styles skip all of those, and players build any hand of sets and a pair. American also drops runs, so you cannot win with a sequence like 3, 4, 5 of a suit.
If you learned mahjong from a grandparent in Hong Kong and then sat down at an American table, you would recognize the tiles and almost nothing else.
The tiles
An American set has 152 tiles. That includes eight flowers and eight jokers. Chinese sets usually have 136 or 144 tiles and no jokers. Some American sets print the year or extra markings on tiles, which makes no difference to play.
The card
This is the big one. In American play you can only win with a hand printed on the current card from the National Mah Jongg League. Chinese mahjong lets you build any combination that meets the basic shape of four sets and a pair.
No runs
Chinese mahjong uses chows, which are runs like 3, 4, 5 of bams. American mahjong does not let you call or build a chow. Some card hands ask for consecutive numbers, but they are made of groups like a pung of 3s, a pung of 4s and a pung of 5s.
The Charleston
American games begin with a tile passing ritual. Chinese games start right away. If you want the details, see what is the Charleston.
Calling discards
In both styles you can take another player's discard to finish a group. American rules are tighter. You can only call for a group of three or more, or for the tile that finishes your hand. Calling for a pair is only allowed when it wins.
Which one should you learn?
Learn the one your friends play. In the United States, the weekly game at the community center or someone's kitchen table is almost always American, with a fresh card each spring.
I made Sparrow for the American game only, for people getting ready to join a group. It does not teach Chinese or Riichi styles.
Quick answers
Does Chinese mahjong use jokers?
Traditional Chinese mahjong does not use jokers. American mahjong uses eight.
How many tiles are in an American mahjong set?
152, including eight flowers and eight jokers.
Can you make runs in American mahjong?
No. American mahjong does not allow chows or runs. Consecutive number hands are built from groups like pungs and kongs.
Do you need a card to play Chinese mahjong?
No. Only American mahjong uses a yearly card of required hands.
Sparrow teaches American mahjong to total beginners in seven short days, with unlimited practice hands. See how it works.