Mahjong Variants: Comparing British, Hong Kong, Riichi, and American Mahjong

Mahjong is a fascinating and deeply cultural game that has captured the hearts of millions worldwide. Yet, if you’re new to Mahjong, you might find yourself wondering: which style of Mahjong should I learn? There isn’t just one version of Mahjong — different regions and cultures have developed their own sets of rules and styles, each with unique features and gameplay.

In this post, we’ll compare four of the most popular Mahjong variants: British Mahjong, Hong Kong Mahjong, Riichi (Japanese) Mahjong, and American Mahjong. Understanding their differences will help you decide which type suits your interests, skill level, and social circle best.

British Mahjong 🇬🇧🀄️

At Dear Asia Mahjong, based in London, we naturally focus on British style Mahjong — even though it’s not the most widely played version globally. But here’s the good news: British Mahjong is one of the most beginner-friendly styles and a fantastic foundation to help you easily adapt to other versions later on.

✅ It shares the same Fundamentals as Chinese Mahjong

British Mahjong is a true adaptation of traditional Chinese Mahjong. The tiles (including flower and season bonus tiles), suits, set patterns, and the classic winning hands (4 sets and a pair) are all the same as many Chinese Mahjong variants.

✅ The scoring systems are the Simplest to maximize playing fun

The scoring system is straightforward, with clear point values and no complicated special hands. This makes it perfect for new players to quickly learn, enjoy, and compete.

❓Who is it for?

British Mahjong is ideal for beginners or anyone looking for a friendly, easy-to-learn game. Its simpler rules lower the barrier to entry while keeping enough strategy to keep things interesting. Plus, it’s widely played in social groups across the UK — making it the top choice for our London Mahjong learners!

Hong kong Mahjong 🇭🇰🀄️

Hong Kong Mahjong is one of the most internationally recognized and classic styles of Mahjong. It originated in southern China and is widely played not only in Hong Kong but also across mainland China and in Chinese communities worldwide.

✅ Play and connect with the asian community

We include Hong Kong Mahjong in our Improver Level 2 workshops because many players in London, especially those with Chinese friends or visiting local community Mahjong spots, often play this style. Whether they’re from Hong Kong or mainland China, Cantonese Mahjong (another name for Hong Kong Mahjong) is the common language at the table. As we like to say, Mahjong is not just a game — it’s also a cultural bridge that connects you with the warm and welcoming Asian communities living in the West, that’s why we love teaching Mahjong.

✅ special hands to make our grandma proud

Unlike British Mahjong, Hong Kong Mahjong features unique bonus rules and special hands that can significantly boost your score. Mastering these adds exciting depth and strategy to the game — or as we say, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to make our grandma proud!

❓Who is it for?

If you want to expand your Mahjong skills and be able to join games with the large local and global Chinese community, learning Hong Kong Mahjong is a great choice. It’s one of the most popular Mahjong variants worldwide and will help you adapt easily in diverse Mahjong settings.

Japanese Riichi Mahjong 🇯🇵🀄️

Riichi Mahjong is the most strategic and fast-paced version of the game — hugely popular online and beloved by fans of Japanese culture, anime, and manga. While it’s played less frequently in Japan these days (mostly by older generations), it’s experiencing a global revival thanks to the internet.

✅ a global online community

Riichi has become the go-to Mahjong style on many top gaming apps and websites. With a strong cult following online, it’s now the second most popular style among players in the UK. We suspect that’s thanks to how easily online play is turning into real-life meetups! Whether you’re a seasoned app player or someone who picked up a Riichi set on your last trip to Japan, you’re not alone.

✅ different rules, more thrills

Riichi introduces a whole new world of scoring through special “Yaku” hands, hidden bonus points, and the iconic Riichi declaration — where you lock in your hand and gamble on the win. It’s all about timing, guts, and clever thinking. Every round brings new suspense.

❓Who is it for?

If you’ve started learning Riichi Mahjong online and are ready to play with real people, you’re in the right place. Or maybe you’re a Japan-lover with a Riichi set collecting dust? There are a couple of Riichi clubs across Greater London, and we’re considering teaching it by request. Let us know — we might just make it happen!

American Mahjong 🇺🇸🀄️

American Mahjong is the most structured and modernised version of the game. With racks, jokers, and a yearly updated card of valid hands, it brings a fresh twist and a bit of card-collecting flair. It’s hugely popular across the United States, especially among Jewish-American communities — and it’s gone full glam thanks to celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker, Gwen Stefani, Chrissy Teigen, and Gigi Hadid, all posting their Mahjong moments. With such a large population base, there are now more American Mahjong players than Europe ones we suspect.

✅ Jokers, Racks, and a National Mahjong Card

Unlike British or Asian styles, American Mahjong uses jokers (wildcards!), and players set up their tiles on racks. Every year, the National Mah Jongg League releases a new official card listing all the valid winning hands — so the game stays fresh, strategic, and slightly collectible. No need to memorise endless combos — just follow the card!

✅ A Complete Fashion Makeover

While we haven’t played American Mahjong in the U.S. (yet!), we’ve seen the dazzling setups on social media — think blush-pink and fuchsia tiles, floral print Mahjong mats, cupcake spreads, and beautifully themed Mahjong rooms. It’s Mahjong with a makeover — stylish, social, and made for the Instagram era. A Mahjong-and-mimosas afternoon is now a legit entry on the American social calendar.

❓Who is it for?

If you’re from the US or have American friends who play, this version might feel the most familiar. If you love structure, cards, and a bit of sparkle (yes, the tiles can be fabulous), American Mahjong could be your thing. We don’t currently teach it in our workshops — but we do offer private lessons by request.