Mahjong rules made practical
Learn the game.
Play with confidence.
Clear rules, useful strategy, and free browser practice for American Mahjong beginners and curious players.
Practice, not just theory
Try a Mahjong game in your browser
Match tiles in a quick solo puzzle, play a guided full round, or focus on the Charleston.
New tile-matching puzzle
Mahjong Garden Solitaire
Match identical open tiles, uncover the layered board, and clear every pair. Three difficulty levels and no signup.
Complete guided game
Play American Mahjong Online
Face three computer players and practice the Charleston, drawing, discarding, calls, Jokers, and a clear training-hand goal.
Five-minute skill practice
Charleston Trainer
Choose three tiles, receive instant feedback, and learn why pairs, clusters, and flexible tiles matter.
Your learning path
New to Mahjong? Start here.
Three focused steps will take you from recognizing the tiles to making sensible decisions at the table.
Learn the flow
Understand the rack, Charleston, calls, drawing, discarding, and how a round ends.
Read the card
Make sense of colors, groups, concealed hands, and the notation used on the annual card.
Choose a direction
Compare realistic options, protect hard-to-replace tiles, and know when to switch plans.
Explore by topic
Find the help you need
Choose a section based on what you want to understand or practice next.
Beginner Rules
Learn the tiles, setup, turns, calls, scoring basics, and the language used at an American Mahjong table.
Mahjong Strategy
Make better choices during the Charleston, select realistic hands, read discards, and avoid common traps.
Types of Mahjong
Compare American, Chinese, Hong Kong, and Japanese styles without mixing their rules together.
Online Practice
Match stacked tiles in Mahjong Garden Solitaire, play a guided round, or practice the Charleston—no account required.
Fresh from MRSFA
Latest Mahjong guides
Practical answers written for real questions that come up while learning and playing.
Dead Hands in American Mahjong: A Clear Beginner Rules Guide
Learn what makes an American Mahjong hand dead, how challenges work, what happens next, and the simple habits that help be…
Exposed vs. Concealed Hands in American Mahjong Explained
Understand exposed and concealed American Mahjong hands, when you may call a discard, how the NMJL card marks each type, a…
Mahjong Solitaire vs. Real Mahjong: What Beginners Need
Mahjong Solitaire is a matching puzzle, while real Mahjong is a social strategy game. Learn what each teaches and which on…
Beginner-Friendly American Mahjong Hands to Look For First
Learn which American Mahjong hand structures are easiest for beginners to recognize, compare, and pursue without relying o…
Play American Mahjong Online: Free Beginner Tools & Guide
Start with our free American Mahjong Charleston trainer, then learn how online play works and what beginners should practi…
How to Read the NMJL Card: The Beginner’s Guide for 2026
Learn how to read the NMJL card, understand colors, symbols, hand values, and restrictions, and choose a playable American…
Ready to make your first decisions?
Play a guided round against three computer players. No signup and no pressure.