Winning at American Mah Jongg

by Grace Laurent

Stop wondering what to do with your tiles. Start understanding the game. The tiles look unfamiliar. The card seems crowded with numbers and colors. Everyone else appears to know exactly what to pass, call, or discard. You can learn American Mah Jongg one clear step at a time. In Winning at American Mah Jongg, Grace Laurent takes you from recognizing your first tiles to making thoughtful choices at the table. Written for absolute beginners, this illustrated guide explains the game in plain language, with practical examples that help you understand both what to do and why. Build your skills from the first deal onward Recognize the tiles: get comfortable with Dots, Bams, Craks, Winds, Dragons, Flowers, and Jokers. Make sense of the card: learn how its numbers, colors, symbols, and hand requirements fit together. Handle the setup and Charleston: follow the deal, the passing order, and the choices that shape your starting hand. Know when to call: understand exposures, Joker exchanges, concealed hands, and the moment a discard can help you. Think beyond your own rack: read discards and exposures, recognize risky tiles, and decide when to change direction. Learn by doing: work through a game move by move, tackle short quizzes and tile exercises, and check your answers. A guide you can keep using at the table Return to chapter quick references, a tile-reference chart, scoring guidance, common beginner mistakes, table etiquette, a glossary, and a situation index whenever you need a reminder. Solo-practice ideas help you keep learning between games. The lessons focus on understanding how the game works and how to read a changing yearly card. The book’s original practice card is a teaching aid; the current official National Mah Jongg League card is sold separately. This is an independent guide, not an official League publication. Open the book, get to know your tiles, and take your next seat at the table with greater confidence.