The Complete Guide to American Mahjong, Modern Mahjong, and Tile Count Differences
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144, 160, or even 166 tiles? Which is correct?
Mahjong is more than just a game—it’s a living tradition that has traveled across oceans, evolved across cultures, and inspired countless variations. From the bustling teahouses of Shanghai to the relaxed living rooms of suburban America, Mahjong has transformed in form, style, and spirit. Today, modern players often encounter sets with different tile counts—144, 160, or even 166 tiles—which can lead to confusion about which set to use and why.
In this guide, we’ll unpack the history and differences between American Mahjong, Chinese Mahjong, and Modern Mahjong variations, explore why tile counts differ, and help you understand exactly what’s inside each type of set. Whether you’re a collector, player, or designer (like those of us at Mahjong Studios), this deep dive will illuminate how tile design, gameplay, and cultural heritage intertwine.
1. A Brief History of Mahjong
Mahjong originated in China in the mid- to late-1800s, though its exact birthplace is debated. What we do know is that the game spread rapidly across China, evolving into different regional forms—Cantonese, Shanghai, and Sichuan styles among them. Western travelers in the early 20th century were fascinated by the game, bringing sets home to America and Europe. By the 1920s, Mahjong had become a roaring craze in the United States, often marketed as an exotic social pastime.
Over time, however, American players adapted the rules to their preferences—adding new tiles, introducing the concept of “Jokers,” and codifying special hands. These changes gave rise to American Mahjong, a distinctly Western evolution of the original game.
2. The Core Structure of Mahjong Sets
Regardless of regional style, Mahjong is played with tiles divided into suits and honors:
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Suits: Bamboo (Bams), Circles (Dots), and Characters (Craks)
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Honor Tiles: Winds (East, South, West, North) and Dragons (Red, Green, White)
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Bonus Tiles: Flowers and Seasons (used differently across versions)
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Special Tiles (Modern Versions): Jokers and Blanks (in American sets)
Each of these elements has symbolic meaning, artistic representation, and practical value in gameplay. But depending on which version of Mahjong you play, your set may look—and count—quite different.
3. Tile Count Variations: 144, 160, or 166 Tiles
Mahjong sets come in several standard sizes depending on the rule set and cultural variation. Let’s break down each one.
🀄 Chinese Mahjong – 144 Tiles
Chinese Mahjong is considered the classic or “original” format and uses 144 tiles.
Tile Breakdown:
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9 Bams × 4 = 36
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9 Dots × 4 = 36
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9 Craks × 4 = 36
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1 Red Dragon, 1 Green Dragon, 1 White Dragon × 4 = 12
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4 Winds (East, South, West, North) × 4 = 16
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4 Flowers = 4
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4 Seasons = 4
Total = 144 tiles
Key Features:
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Flowers and Seasons are bonus tiles, not part of suits.
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There are no Jokers or Blanks.
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Tiles feature Chinese characters, not numbers.
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Players draw and discard tiles from a wall built before play.
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No “card” is used—winning hands depend on strategy and pattern recognition.
Gameplay Style:
Chinese Mahjong emphasizes reading opponents, forming melds, and achieving balance between speed and strategy. It’s about harmony and calculation—a reflection of its cultural origins.
🇺🇸 American Mahjong – 160 Tiles
American Mahjong, popularized through the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) and other organizations, expanded the traditional set to include Jokers and Blanks.
Tile Breakdown:
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9 Bams × 4 = 36
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9 Dots × 4 = 36
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9 Craks × 4 = 36
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1 Dragon of each color × 4 = 12
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4 Winds × 4 = 16
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8 Flowers = 8
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10 Jokers = 10
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6 Blanks = 6
Total = 160 tiles
Key Rules for NMJL Play:
For National Mah Jongg League play, you would remove all blanks, leaving just 8 Jokers. The blanks are often included for customization, design flexibility, or collector use—but they are not used in sanctioned play.
Gameplay Features:
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American Mahjong uses a yearly NMJL card that lists winning hands.
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Jokers serve as wild tiles to complete sets.
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Uses racks and pushers for building walls and organizing hands.
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Some sets include English numbers for accessibility.
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Flowers and Jokers are essential for gameplay balance and creativity.
This format reflects the American love of variation and collectibility—it’s less about tradition and more about social connection and fun customization.
🌎 Modern / Hybrid Mahjong – 166 Tiles
The 166-tile sets have become increasingly popular, blending the completeness of American sets with flexibility for other styles.
Tile Breakdown:
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9 Bams × 4 = 36
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9 Dots × 4 = 36
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9 Craks × 4 = 36
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1 Dragon for each color × 4 = 12
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4 Winds × 4 = 16
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8 Flowers = 8
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8 Seasons (which can also be used as Flowers) = 8
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10 Jokers = 10
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4 Blanks = 4
Total = 166 tiles
How It’s Used:
For National Mah Jongg League play, you would remove all blanks and seasons, leaving 8 Jokers.
However, if you’re playing in a social or creative format, you can include the extra tiles for custom hands, decorative purposes, or other regional rule variants.
Why 166 Tiles Exist:
This larger set appeals to collectors, teachers, and designers—it’s versatile enough for both American and Asian-style play. You can easily remove or add specific tiles depending on the rules you’re using.
4. Key Differences Between American and Chinese Mahjong
Now that we’ve looked at the tile counts, let’s examine how American Mahjong and Chinese Mahjong differ in design, gameplay, and philosophy.
1. Gameplay Structure
| Feature | American Mahjong | Chinese Mahjong |
|---|---|---|
| Tile Count | 160 (NMJL uses 152 without blanks) | 144 |
| Jokers | Yes (8–10) | No |
| Blanks | Sometimes included (not used in play) | None |
| Flowers/Seasons | 8 Flowers | 4 Flowers + 4 Seasons |
| Card Usage | Uses NMJL card with hands | No card; uses pattern recognition |
| Scoring System | Based on the yearly NMJL rules | Based on melds and winning combinations |
| Racks & Pushers | Commonly used | Rarely used |
| Numerals/Letters | Often includes numbers | Usually none; Chinese characters only |
| Cultural Roots | Americanized, social, rule-driven | Traditional, strategic, intuitive |
2. Design and Aesthetic
American sets tend to be colorful, often made of acrylic or resin with engraved symbols and clear English numerals. Chinese sets lean toward traditional art, featuring red and green inks, Chinese calligraphy, and natural materials like bone or bamboo in vintage versions.
At Mahjong Studios, we blend the two—respecting traditional iconography while designing modern interpretations that look elegant, thematic, and collectable.
3. Gameplay Feel
American Mahjong feels more like a puzzle combined with social gaming. You’re working from the NMJL card, using Jokers creatively to complete complex hands, often chatting and competing in a friendly yet strategic environment.
Chinese Mahjong, on the other hand, feels more meditative. You’re reacting to the flow of tiles, watching others’ moves, and relying on intuition and mathematics to form the winning hand. There’s no card, no Jokers—just pure gameplay and timing.
5. Why Some Sets Include Blanks, Seasons, and Extra Jokers
🧩 Blanks
Blanks are not used in official play, but they’re included for flexibility. Manufacturers often add 4–6 blank tiles so players can:
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Replace lost tiles,
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Create custom designs,
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Use them for decorative or teaching purposes.
At Mahjong Studios, we recommend playing with blanks. It helps those new to the game complete their set. Typical house rule for blanks: if you draw a blank, you can swap it for any tile showing on the mat, at any time! No need to declare.
Or you may keep the blanks aside unless you’re designing or repairing sets.
🌸 Flowers and Seasons
In Chinese Mahjong, Flowers and Seasons are purely bonus tiles—drawn for extra points, not melds.
In American Mahjong, Flowers play a functional role and often appear in NMJL hands.
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8 Flowers → used in American play
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4 Flowers + 4 Seasons → used in Chinese play
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Some hybrid sets (166 tiles) include both.
🃏 Jokers
Jokers are what make American Mahjong so dynamic. They act as wild tiles that can replace any tile in a pung (3 of a kind) or kong (4 of a kind). They cannot replace single tiles or be used in pairs.
Standard NMJL Play: 8 Jokers
Extended Sets: 10 Jokers (for flexibility and replacements)
Jokers are the heart of the American variation—turning Mahjong from a pure strategy game into a blend of skill, luck, and adaptability.
6. National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) and the American Card System
The NMJL, founded in 1937, revolutionized Mahjong in the United States. It standardized the rules, hands, and scoring system through an annual Mah Jongg Card. Every year, a new card is released, and every table across the country plays by the same patterns.
This card includes:
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80+ possible winning hands
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Scoring values
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Rules for Flowers, Jokers, and special combinations
This yearly reset keeps the game fresh and exciting. Unlike Chinese Mahjong, where the core hands are timeless, American Mahjong evolves annually—creating a living, community-driven tradition.
7. The Rise of Modern Mahjong Sets
In recent years, modern Mahjong has seen a design renaissance. Boutique makers like Mahjong Studios, The Mahjong Line, and others have brought artistry back to the tiles, reimagining them in new materials, color palettes, and themes—from minimalist to regionally inspired sets.
Modern Mahjong Design Trends:
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Themed sets (coastal, desert, floral, or retro)
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Color-coded Dragons and Winds for clarity
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Simplified numerals and suits for accessibility
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Premium materials (acrylic, bamboo, resin)
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Inclusive design—symbols for new learners
Some modern makers even create sets that can transition between American and Chinese playstyles—which is why you often see 166-tile sets in the market.
8. Choosing the Right Mahjong Set
When buying or designing a set, consider these factors:
🎯 Purpose
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Casual Play: A 166-tile hybrid set gives flexibility for both American and Chinese play.
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League Play: Stick to a 160-tile American set (remove blanks).
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Traditional Play: A 144-tile Chinese set preserves authenticity.
🎨 Aesthetic
Do you want a classic red-green-blue design, or something modern and artistic? American sets often include decorative cases, racks, and themed tiles.
🧮 Practicality
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160+ tiles require a bit more storage and weight.
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Chinese sets are simpler and lighter.
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Hybrid sets give maximum versatility for teaching or multi-style groups.
9. Common Questions About Tile Counts
Q1: Why do some sets have 166 tiles instead of 160?
Because manufacturers include both Flowers and Seasons (8 each) plus Blanks and extra Jokers. These sets let you play both Chinese and American styles using one kit.
Q2: Do I need Blanks?
No. Blanks are optional and only used in gameplay when house rules apply. They are also handy for tile replacement or custom artwork. Typical house rule for blanks: if you draw a blank, you can swap it for any tile showing on the mat, at any time! No need to declare.
Q3: Can I use a 144-tile Chinese set for American Mahjong?
Not easily—you’ll be missing Jokers and extra Flowers. However, you can still play simpler house rules with it.
Q4: Why does NMJL remove Blanks and Seasons?
To maintain consistency and fairness across league games—only Jokers and standard tiles are permitted.
10. Mahjong’s Cultural Symbolism
Mahjong isn’t just about numbers or tiles—it’s an artistic reflection of balance, luck, and community.
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Bamboo (Bams) represent growth and flexibility.
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Dots (Circles) symbolize unity and continuity.
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Characters (Craks) signify wealth and prosperity.
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Dragons denote power and fortune.
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Winds echo direction and change.
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Flowers/Seasons represent the beauty of time and life’s cycles.
American Mahjong, by contrast, has turned this artistry into a social ritual—played in clubs, retirement centers, and kitchens across the country. It’s a bridge between the old and new worlds, where tradition meets innovation.
11. Mahjong as Art and Collectible
Today’s Mahjong enthusiasts don’t just play—they collect. Modern designs often blend storytelling, color theory, and local themes. At Mahjong Studios, we celebrate this artistry by exploring creative expressions—like Oklahoma-inspired motifs, regional birds like the Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher, and local flora engraved into custom tile frames.
Collectors now look for:
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Custom-engraved designs
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Unique case materials
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Limited editions
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Thematic sets (holiday, nature, regional)
This shift toward Mahjong as art has revitalized interest among younger generations and creative communities.
12. Final Thoughts: The Living Spirit of Mahjong
Mahjong has never stood still. From 19th-century Chinese parlors to 21st-century design studios, it continues to evolve while maintaining its essence—a celebration of connection, pattern, and beauty.
Whether you play the 144-tile Chinese classic, the 160-tile American favorite, or the versatile 166-tile modern hybrid, you’re part of a centuries-old lineage that bridges logic and luck, design and culture.
At Mahjong Studios, we believe every tile tells a story—and the next chapter of Mahjong design is being written right now, in homes, studios, and tables just like yours.
🪶 Summary of Tile Counts
| Version | Total Tiles | Key Features | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese Mahjong | 144 | Classic set with Flowers & Seasons, no Jokers | Used across Asia |
| American Mahjong | 160 | Includes 10 Jokers, 6 Blanks, 8 Flowers | NMJL play removes blanks |
| Hybrid/Modern Set | 166 | Adds Seasons & Blanks for multi-style play | Most flexible option |
🔗 Learn More
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