6 Pretty Mahjong Sets, for Beginners and Beyond
Beautiful tiles for every budget and skill level.
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It seems like everyone is playing Mahjong again—more and more people are learning to play, and bigger cities are even hosting social events around it. I can see why though: Mahjong is a game with a rich history and, some might say, complex rules. But whether you play for the social, mental, or aesthetic benefits (those beautiful tiles!), the foundation of any good mahjong game is the set you're using. Our list of the best mahjong sets includes options for both Chinese and American gameplay.
If you’re interested in playing both versions, I’d recommend you’d get an American set. That way, so you'll have enough tiles for both. (American mahjong requires 166 tiles, while traditional Chinese play requires 146). However, many prefer to stick with the traditional Chinese mahjong. Regardless of which you choose, below you'll find a set at every price point and preference, from bargain friendly and portable to splurge worthy and collectible.
Our top picks:
- Best overall: Jumbo American Silver Glitter Mah Jongg
- Best value: Harborway Mini Chinese Mahjong Set
- Best traditional Chinese set: Yellow Mountain Imports Rouge Heritage Chinese Set
- Best trending: Hill House x Williams Sonoma Home Mahjong Set
Jumbo American Silver Glitter Mah Jongg
Pros
- Beautiful wood case
- Customizable joker tiles
- Jumbo tiles are easy to handle and read
Cons
- Wooden racks and pushers are not included
- Oversized tiles do not fit standard racks
Topping our list is this American mahjong set, with its elegant wood case, perfectly oversized tiles and pleasing design. It includes 166 jumbo glitter-embellished tiles that are fun to handle and easy to read. The set also includes dice and a wind indicator, but does not include racks. If you like to play with racks, keep in mind that the jumbo tiles will not fit on standard game racks and will require 20-inch or larger racks, which are available to add on to your purchase.
Another plus for this set? You can add custom text and a graphic to your joker tiles, adding a dose of fun flair. Easily convertible to play Chinese mahjong as well, this set is versatile and accessible for all ages.
GenJuw Portable Chinese Mahjong Set
Pros
- Slim, portable case included
- Under $25
Cons
- Small tiles
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, travel-friendly Chinese mahjong set, look no further than this mini one that comes with a sleek case and two dice. The overall set is lightweight, and all tiles fit neatly into the compact case. Just note that since this is made for travel, the tiles are super small.
Keep in mind that this is a Chinese mahjong set and contains 144 tiles.
Yellow Mountain Imports Rouge Heritage Chinese Mahjong Game Set
Yellow Mountain Imports Rouge Heritage Chinese Mahjong Game Set
Pros
- Budget friendly
- Beautiful green tile design
- Sturdy travel case
Cons
- Cannot be converted to play with American Mahjong rules
- Does not include racks and pushers
This Chinese mahjong set comes in a decorative red and gold carrying case and features tiles with a gorgeous green bamboo-inspired stripe design. These tiles are reportedly taller, wider and thicker than the American sets, making it possible to play without the racks and pushers, which aren’t included.
However, when considering your purchase, don’t make this common mistake: Chinese mahjong sets contain only 146 tiles instead of the 166 tiles required to play American mahjong. So if you’re looking to switch between the two game types, opt for an American set, which can usually be converted with some substitutions.
Hill House x Williams Sonoma Home Mahjong Set
Pros
- Lets you play Chinese and American mahjong
- Beautiful carrying case
- Can be left out for display
Cons
- Pricey
Hill House, a fashion and home brand known for its romantic and cheerful signature style, teamed up with Williams Sonoma to create an exclusive mahjong set. The case features a woven cane exterior with leather accents, while blue faux suede lines the inside.
The set includes 166 pieces to play American or Chinese mahjong. Four trays keep all the tiles organized, while a small slot fits the four included dice. Overall, the set is quite a beautiful piece, not just to play, but also to present on a shelf when not in use.
Linda Li American Mahjong Set
Linda Li American Mahjong Set
Pros
- Soft tote bag carrying case
- Comes with an illustrated guide by mahjong instructor Michele Frizzell
Cons
- Plastic trays and pushers have been reported to break easily
If you’re an experienced or eager player that frequents multiple venues, you might want to choose a set with portability in mind.
What makes this American mahjong set special is its soft, quilted tote bag-style carrying case, which you can easily throw over your shoulder as you exit after yet another victory. The case zips closed, and it even has an extra inside zippered pocket so you can stash some playing essentials.
The 166 fully engraved and hand-painted melamine tiles are neatly tucked away in two zippered pouches that match the navy blue paisley design of the tote. The set also comes with color-coordinated racks and pushers in translucent pink, green, yellow and blue, so your playmates can pick the color they are feeling that day.
Mark and Graham Acrylic Mahjong Game Set
Mark and Graham Acrylic Mahjong Game Set
Pros
- Compact acrylic case
- Customizable
Cons
- Case only stores tiles
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the mahjong enthusiast in your life, consider adding a personal touch to their favorite game with this customizable mahjong set. This set’s tagline is, “Fun to play. Beautiful to display,” and it could not be more accurate. The elegant, compact acrylic box is topped with a cerulean or neon pink cover, which can be customized with a laser-etched monogram for an additional fee. With a variety of monogram designs and fonts to choose from, and a quick and easy preview function, you’re sure to find the right one for your mahjong lover.
The American mahjong set features standard tiles and also includes four racks, an instruction booklet for beginners or those looking to refresh their technique, and dice and colorful scoring coins. One downside is that the acrylic box only has enough room to store the tiles, so you’ll need to find another place to put the racks and other game pieces so you don’t lose them.
What is mahjong?
Played with four people seated around a table, mahjong, whether played with Chinese or American rules, is social and simple in nature – all you need is three fellow players, a mahjong set and somewhere to sit.
Through a process of rolling dice and shuffling, drawing and discarding tiles, players vie for matching sets and high scores that will secure a win when someone calls "mahjong!” and ends the game.
Developed in the mid-to-late 1800s in the Yangtze River Delta in Eastern China, mahjong originally grew in popularity in metropolitan hubs like Shanghai and Beijing. In the 1920s, American businessmen began marketing the game to American expats in China before introducing and popularizing the game to audiences in the United States. In the U.S. after World War II, mahjong also became popular within the Jewish community, particularly with women. In 1937, a group of women in New York City formed the National Mah-jongg League, where they standardized and simplified some of the rules of Chinese mahjong and created a slightly different American version called "maahj" for short. The league, started with just a handful of players, now has more than 350,000 members.
What is the difference between American and Chinese mahjong sets?
There are a couple of key differences between the two versions:
- American mahjong sets have 166 tiles, which includes all the tiles included in 144-tile Chinese mahjong sets. But American sets also have additional joker tiles and featuresRoman letters and Arabic numerals for those who can’t read Chinese characters.
- American mahjong also uses racks, which aren’t always used while playing Chinese mahjong, though different players and communities vary the rules based on preference.
How to choose a mahjong set
First, consider which type of mahjong you're playing—Chinese, American, or another variant, such as Japanese. The set you buy will vary in the number of tiles and other game elements based on the rules of the particular version. When in doubt, buy an American mahjong set since they usually contain all the tiles used in Chinese mahjong and can be converted with some substitutions. Other considerations for choosing your mahjong set include:
- Aesthetic preferences, especially with regard to tile design
- Size and weight of the set
- Portability
- Budget
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
After years of playing logic and strategy games, Minhae Shim Roth was introduced to mahjong by her grandmother-in-law. Interested in the history and cultural significance of the game, Roth looked to recent scholarship on mahjong, and researched written and visual reviews and other digital resources to compile this list of featured products.
She has contributed to Good Housekeeping since 2020, and has written on a variety of topics for many publications, including Glamour, History and Romper.
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