Mahjong isn't one game. It's a family of games, and each place plays it its own way. That's half the fun, but it also makes the first step confusing. Answer the eight questions above and we'll suggest where to start. It takes about a minute, and the full guide to every style is waiting on the Mahjong Academy homepage.
On this page
How the quiz works
Each answer gives points to the styles it fits. Say you want to play with family in Taiwan: Taiwanese mahjong gets a big boost. Like reading your opponents and playing safe? That points to Japanese mahjong. The style with the most points comes out on top, and we also show the next two in case one of them sounds better to you.
There's no wrong answer, and you can change your mind any time. The basics you learn carry over to every style.
The six styles in one line each
- Taiwanese mahjong: 16 tiles, flowers, and lively scoring in points called tai.
- Japanese Riichi mahjong: 13 tiles, declaring ready (riichi), and lots of strategy and defence.
- Hong Kong mahjong: quick, simple and loved by Cantonese families everywhere.
- Sichuan mahjong: only three suits, and the game goes on after the first win.
- Chinese Official mahjong: the tournament rules with 81 scoring patterns.
- American mahjong: jokers, passing tiles, and a new card of hands every year.
Want them side by side? The styles overview compares tiles, hand size and scoring in one table.
Still not sure?
Then don't pick yet! Start with the shared basics in Academy lesson 1. Every style uses the same tiles, the same sets and pairs, and the same idea of a winning hand. Once you can read a hand, switching styles is just learning new scoring.
Frequently asked questions
Which mahjong is easiest for beginners?
Hong Kong and Sichuan mahjong have the simplest scoring, so they're friendly first games. But the easiest one is really the one your friends play, because you'll have people to learn from.
Can I learn more than one style?
Yes, and it's easier than it sounds. Around 80% is shared: the tiles, building sets and pairs, and reading waits. Each new style mostly adds scoring rules.
Is American mahjong the same as mahjong solitaire?
No. American mahjong is a four-player game with jokers and a yearly card of hands. Mahjong solitaire is a one-player tile-matching puzzle that just uses the same tiles.
Got your answer? Head back to the homepage to start the lessons, or jump straight into a free game.