Whether it's your first mahj night or your hundredth, a little preparation makes the evening smoother. Here's what to have ready.
If you're hosting
- A complete set. American mahjong uses 152 tiles: three suits (bams, craks and dots), winds, dragons, flowers and 8 jokers. Count before guests arrive. A missing tile is a mood-killer.
- Racks and pushers for each player.
- A table cover or mat. It softens the clatter and protects the table.
- Dice for deciding who breaks the wall.
- Good light. Tiles are small, and dim rooms slow everyone down.
- Tidy snacks. Think nuts, grapes, chocolates and cut veggies, and skip anything greasy or powdery that ends up on the tiles.
- Drinks with lids or coasters, kept off the playing surface.
If you're a player
- Your card. Bring this year's official card, since the valid hands change every year.
- Whatever your group uses for scoring, if you keep score.
- A bag for your things. A roomy tote holds your card, glasses and a sweater. Ours are right here.
- A cozy layer. Game nights run long. A mahjong sweatshirt is our obvious favorite.
- Something to share. Bringing a snack or drink is a nice way to thank the host.
Etiquette that keeps the game friendly
- Arrive on time. Mahjong needs all four players to start.
- Call discards clearly and give others a moment to claim a tile.
- Keep an eye on the pace. Thinking is fine, but long pauses add up over a night.
- Be generous with new players: explain, don't sigh.
- Thank your host, and consider bringing a small host gift now and then.