Mahjong: Origins & Variations

Mahjong originated in China during the 19th century and has been enjoyed for generations as a game of strategy, skill, and social connection. As the game spread around the world, it evolved into many variations, each with its own traditions and styles of play.

Understanding Mahjong also means recognizing its complex history, shaped by cultural exchange, adaptation, and community building, as well as periods of prejudice and exclusion.

Mahjong arrived in the United States in the 1920s and gradually developed into the version known today as American Mahjong. In 1937, the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) was established, helping standardize the American game. Jewish American women played an important role in preserving and popularizing this variation, making Mahjong a cherished social tradition across generations.

How is American Mahjong different?

American Mahjong typically uses 152 tiles, compared with the 144 tiles commonly used in many Chinese variations. Players use an annually updated NMJL card to form specific winning hands, along with distinctive features such as jokers and the Charleston.

Today, Mahjong continues to bring people together through American, Hong Kong, Taiwanese, Filipino, and many other variations, each reflecting the game’s rich cultural history.