1. Prepare your table
Gather four players, a complete American Mahjong set, four racks, dice and the current annual hand card. Agree which ruleset and card you are following.
2. Learn the tiles
Identify the three numbered suits, winds, dragons, flowers and jokers. American sets generally contain 152 tiles; check the exact contents of yours.
3. Build the walls and deal
Shuffle tiles face down, construct the walls and deal according to your group's rules. One player begins as East.
4. Play the Charleston
American Mah Jongg commonly begins with a structured tile-passing sequence called the Charleston. Follow the correct directions and optional stages for your ruleset.
5. Draw, discard and call
On your turn, draw a tile and discard one while working toward a legal pattern on the annual card. Learn the restrictions on calling discards and using jokers.
6. Declare Mahjong
Win only when your tiles satisfy an eligible hand on the current card and any applicable concealed or exposed requirements. A group member or teacher can help verify the result.
This is an independent educational overview. For official play, consult the current National Mah Jongg League card and applicable rules. Annual card patterns are not reproduced here.