Play American Mahjong in London

American Mahjong

American Mahjong is a distinct American adaptation of the traditional Chinese game, combining social play with a highly standardised rule set and a yearly changing card of valid hands. Over decades it evolved into a communal pastime with its own conventions, clubs, and organised play—popular in homes, community centres, and social groups across the United States, and increasingly noticed by international players.

Uniquely American

American Mahjong stands out for its predefined hands and standardized scoring. Each year the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) publishes an official card listing the legal hands; players use this card instead of calculating complex scores on the fly. The game also uses a slightly different tile set and terminology, and features mechanics like jokers/wild tiles, Charleston exchanges (goulash), and set combinations that make hand recognition and memorisation central to play.

Mahjong Craze across the pacific

Mahjong has taken on a new life in America. Celebrities openly talk about their Mahjong hobby, and a growing number of brands are producing colourful, cheerful sets that make the game feel fresh and fashionable. While we haven’t visited American parlours ourselves, it’s clear Mahjong is becoming a social staple for many — think cocktails and a Mahjong party at home, weekend get‑togethers with friends, or themed nights that mix snacks, music and play.

This shift has helped transform Mahjong from a niche pastime into a mainstream social activity: stylish sets make great conversation starters, influencers and press coverage raise its profile, and organised events—pop‑ups, clubs, and private parties—bring new players into the fold. The result is a lively, social Mahjong scene in which the game is as much about connection and atmosphere as it is about tiles and rules. We definitely think it sounds like a lot of fun.