AMERICAN MAH JONGG · DAY 1

Your first mahjong

You'll learn: Finish a practice hand of four pungs and a pair, then declare mahjong.
Time: 6 minutes
Builds on: Pairs, pungs, kongs and quints
Up next: Draw and discard
Why it helps: You'll get to see those matching groups come together as your first mahjong.

Let's put those matching groups to use and finish your first hand. You're already just one useful tile away.

Finish all 14 tiles

You win in American mahjong by completing 14 tiles that match a winning hand on the card. Every group must fit, with nothing missing or left over.

For your first practice hand, we'll use a simple pattern: four pungs and a pair. That's four groups of three matching tiles, plus two matching tiles: 12 + 2 = 14. We'll introduce the card later.

Keep what your hand needs

You start with three finished pungs, a pair of 1 Craks and a pair of 9 Craks. Keep the 1 Craks as your final pair. You're waiting for one more 9 Crak to make your fourth pung.

3 Crak — Your 13 tiles: three pungs and two pairs. One more 9 Crak will finish the hand.

Now a 2 Dot arrives. It doesn't help these groups, so you can let it go and keep the tiles that bring you closer.

Check for a win before you discard

There's your third 9 Crak. Count your groups again: four pungs and a pair. All 14 tiles fit, so press Mahjong to declare your first win.

At a physical table, say “Mah Jongg” and show your hand so everyone can check it.

Remember

Check your new tile before discarding. If it completes your winning hand, declare mahjong.

Teaches on the Learner card · reviewed 2026-09-14

Your first mahjong

Create an account

Finish all 14 tiles

Keep what your hand needs

Check for a win before you discard

Remember