FAQ
From the basics of American Mahjong and the core essence of our brand to everything you need to know about shipping and delivery, find all your answers right here.
Everything about Shipping& Returns
About American Mahjong
ABOUT OUR BRAND
FAQ Shipping & Returns
What is the return policy?
We want every customer to get the ultimate Mahjong experience and be totally satisfied with their purchase. If this isn't the case, let us know and we'll do our best to work with you to make it right.
Are any purchases final sale?
No, you can return your order. However we are unable to accept returns on opened tiles and used items. Please make sure you return your items the same way as you received them.
When will I get my order?
We will work quickly to ship your order as soon as possible. Once your order has shipped, you will receive an email with further information. Delivery times vary depending on your location.
Where are your products manufactured?
Our products are manufactured both locally and globally. We carefully select our manufacturing partners to ensure our products are highest quality and a fair value. With Mahjong originating in China, that is the place where the tiles are carefully partially manufactures by hand in order to secure the highest quality by many decades of experience and knowhow.
How much does shipping cost?
Shipping is calculated based on your location and the volume of your order. You will always know the exact shipping price before you purchase.
Shipping Costs Germany
Germany: STANDARD € 6.99, delivery time 2-5 business days, PRINT ONLY: € 2.99, EXPRESS € 19.50
Shipping Costs Europe 1
France, Netherlands and Austria: up to 2 kg € 14.49 / up to 5 kg € 17.49 with a delivery time of 5-8 business days
Shipping Costs Europe 2
Italy, Sweden, Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary: up to 2 kg € 14.49 / up to 5 kg € 17.49 with a delivery time of 5-8 business days
Shipping Costs Rest of Europe
€ 19.90 with a delivery time of 5-8 working days
COMING SOON: Shipping to USA, Canada, Switzerland and the rest of the world
Shipping per package up to 2 kg: tbd, up to 6kg: tbd
Please note: When shipping to the USA, Switzerland and the rest of the world, customs fees may apply which are not included in our invoice amount. These fees are charged directly by customs.
Please note: New US customs regulations have been in effect since August 29, 2025, which significantly restrict or even prevent shipping for business customers. DHL has therefore temporarily suspended the shipment of business customer parcels and merchandise mail. For higher-value parcels, express services such as DHL Express must collect import duties and forward them to the recipient. This may affect your final invoice. Customers should keep up to date with their country's customs regulations to avoid unexpected charges.
FAQ American Mahjong
What are the game essentials for American Mahjong?
To set up and play a proper game of Classic American Mahjong, you need these core components:
152 Mahjong Tiles: The classic set requires 152 tiles.
The European Mahjong Card: The rules and winning card. Every player at the table needs a copy of the same year's card.
4 Racks: One rack per player to keep your hand organized and hidden from opponents.
Two Standard Dice: Used at the beginning of each round to determine the dealer (East) and to decide where to break the tile wall for drawing.
A Playing Surface: A table with a soft tablecloth or neoprene game mat. This protects the tiles, keeps them from slipping, and softens the clicking sound when shuffling.
What is the main difference between Chinese and American Mahjong?
While both games share the same core tiles (Bams, Cracks, Dots, Winds, and Dragons), they play very differently. The three main differences are:
Winning Hands: In Chinese Mahjong, you win with standard patterns (usually four sets of 3-of-a-kind and one pair) that you memorize. In American Mahjong, you must match a specific, complex combination from a game card like The European Mahjong Card
Jokers and Blanks: American Mahjong uses 8 Joker tiles (or 10 Jokers and 6 Blanks for Modern game play) which act as wildcards to help build hands. Traditional Chinese Mahjong does not use Jokers.
The Charleston: American Mahjong begins with a mandatory tile-swapping phase where players pass unwanted tiles to each other before regular play starts. This does not exist in the Chinese version.
Do you need exactly four players to play American Mahjong?
No, while four players is the standard and ideal format, American Mahjong can be adapted for fewer players:
3 Players: One wall remains empty, and the game is played without a fourth player. The Charleston phase is slightly modified.
2 Players (Siamese Mahjong): A highly popular variant where two players face off, each managing two hands and two racks simultaneously.
1 Player: Thanks to the brilliant invention of SoloMahj® by founder Brandy Medford, American Mahjong can now also be enjoyed as a single-player game!
What was the initial usage of Blank tiles in American Mahjong?
Historically, blank tiles had two main purposes:
Spare Replacement Tiles: Their primary manufacturing purpose was to serve as spares. If a regular tile was lost or damaged, players could take a blank tile to a local carver (or use a marker) to duplicate the missing tile, ensuring the 152-tile set remained complete.
First "Jokers": During the 1920s and 1930s mahjong craze in the U.S., early American rules began experimenting with wildcards. Because factories didn't print official Joker tiles yet, manufacturers encouraged players to draw or carve their own Joker symbols onto the blank tiles.
Once the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) officially standardized the 8 printed Jokers in 1937, blanks returned to being purely spare tiles, until the Modern version of American Mahjong repurposed them into active gameplay elements like "dead-tile recovery" tools.
What is the difference between Classic American Mahjong and Modern American Mahjong?
152 Tiles - Classic: Played according to the official National Mah Jongg League rules using exactly 8 Jokers.
160 Tiles - Modern: The entire set is used, including the 2 extra Jokers and 6 Blank tiles.
How does East deal the tiles in American Mahjong?
After the walls are built, East rolls the dice to break the wall and deals the tiles. Players take tiles in clockwise order, but the tiles are taken from the walls in a clockwise direction around the table (and from left to right on each individual wall).Step-by-Step Dealing Process
- Roll the Dice: East rolls two dice. The total number determines where East breaks their own wall.
- Break the Wall: East counts from right to left along their own wall. East breaks the wall by creating a gap after that number of stacks (pairs).
- First Take (East): East takes the first 4 tiles (2 stacks) to the right of the break.
- Next Takes: Moving clockwise around the table, the next player takes 4 tiles (2 stacks), then the next, and the next.
- Repeat: Repeat this rotation until everyone has 12 tiles (3 rounds of 4 tiles).
- The Final Tiles:East takes 2 tiles (the top 1st and top 3rd tiles from the remaining wall).The other three players each take 1 tile in turn.
Final Tile Count
East: 14 tiles as East starts the game by making the first discard.
Other Players: 13 tiles each.
How do I build the Walls in American Mahjong?
Building the walls prepares the game and sets up the tile pool. Each player builds one section of the wall directly in front of their rack.
- Shuffle: Place all 152 tiles face down in the center of the table and mix them thoroughly.
- Count: Each player takes 38 face-down tiles.
- Stack: Arrange your 38 tiles into a double-deck row. This creates a wall that is 19 tiles long and 2 tiles high.
- Align: Push your completed wall neatly against the front edge of your rack.
Once everyone finishes, the four individual walls form a square in the center of the table.
What are helpful tips to make a decision during the Charleston?
The Charleston can feel overwhelming, but focusing on card structure and flexibility will help you navigate the passes successfully.
1. Group by Category (Don't Lock in Too Early)
- Organize by suits and numbers: Sort your tiles by matching suits, consecutive numbers, or pairs.
- Identify your strengths: Look for which sections of The European Mahjong Card match your biggest clusters.
- Keep options open: Try to keep two or three related hands in mind during the first pass.
2. Follow the "Rule of 3"
- Count your tiles: Do not commit to a specific hand unless you have at least 6 or 7 tiles for it.
- The "3-Tile Rule": If a hand requires three specific tiles that you do not have (and cannot use jokers for), consider pivoting to a different strategy.
3. Know What to Pass Safely
- High-value tiles: Avoid passing Flowers and Pairs, unless you absolutely have to. And never pass a Joker!
- Safe passes: Pass tiles that do not easily connect, such as a mix of different suits and non-consecutive numbers (e.g., a 2 Bam, a 5 Dot, and a 9 Crack).
4. Use the Blind Pass Strategically
- Save your hand: During the first left pass (the 3rd pass of the first Charleston) and the second right pass (the 3rd pass of the second Charleston, often called the last right), you can pass up to 3 tiles blindly from the previous player without looking at them.
- When to use it: Use this if you only have 1 or 2 "trash" tiles to give away and do not want to break up your potential hands.
5. Be Prepared to Pivot
- Watch what you receive: If the tiles passed to you constantly match a different section of the card, adapt and shift your strategy.
How and when can I "call" a discarded tile?
Calling a tile allows you to take the most recently discarded tile to complete a combination for your hand. When can you call a tile? You can only call a tile if it fulfills one of two conditions:
- To Complete a Block (Exposed Hand): You can call the tile to complete a Pung (3 identical tiles), Kong (4 identical tiles), or Quint (5 identical tiles). You cannot call a tile to complete a Pair or a Single unless it completes your entire Mahjong hand.
- To Declare Mahjong: You can call any tile (including a Pair or Single) if that specific tile completes your entire 14-tile winning hand.
Crucial Rules for Calling
Timing: You must call the tile immediately after it is discarded. Once the next player draws a tile from the wall and racks it, the discarded tile is "dead," and you can no longer call it.
Turn Order: Anyone can call a tile for Mahjong. If no one needs it for Mahjong, a player needing it for an exposure takes priority, but only if they speak up before the next player racks their drawn tile.
How to Do It (Step-by-Step)
- Call it out: Verbalize your claim clearly by saying "Call", "Stop", "Hold"
- Take the tile: Pick up the discarded tile from the center of the table. Do not draw a tile from the wall on this turn.
- Expose your tiles: Place the tiles from your hand that match the called tile face-up on top of your rack.
- Discard: Complete your turn by discarding one tile from your hand into the center of the table.
When is a hand in American Mahjong declared "dead"?
A hand is declared dead when it becomes impossible for that player to legally win the game.
Common reasons a hand becomes dead:
Impossible Hand: The player exposes a combination of tiles that does not exist e.g. on the current European Mahjong Card.
Illegal Use of Jokers: The player uses a Joker in a Pair or a Single combination (Jokers can only be used in Pungs, Kongs, Quints, or Sextets).
Wrong Number of Tiles: The player has too many or too few tiles in their hand or on their rack (often caused by forgetting to draw or discard).
Exposing a Concealed Hand: The player calls a tile and exposes part of a hand that is marked with a "C" (Concealed) on the card.
Incorrectly Call for Mahjong: The player declares "Mahjong" by mistake, exposes their tiles, and it turns out they do not actually have a winning hand.
Why does the 1-Bam tile feature a bird?
The 1-Bam tile (usually a sparrow or peacock) is the "artist's tile" of the game.
Tradition: Historically, manufacturers used the 1-Bird tile as a brand trademark or masterpiece to showcase their carving skills.
Meaning: It represents a bird catching a bug or stealing grain, symbolizing luck, alert attention, and grabbing an opportunity.
Variation: Because there is no standard design rule, the bird's shape, color, and direction change entirely depending on the region and designer.
FAQ The MIDNIGHT MAHJONG CLUB
Why Midnight?
The word "Midnight" isn’t just a catchy name, it captures the very heart, background story, and addictive spirit of our business! Here is our story behind it:
The Project's Founding Time: The idea for this project was born during the quiet, creative hours of the late night. It was right around midnight when the vision for The MIDNIGHT MAHJONG Club officially came to life in late fall 2025.
Bridging over Three different Time Zones: Our business connects us across three different time zones. Because of this beautiful distance, when it’s afternoon for one of us, it is already midnight for the other one. The name honors our ability to bring people with passion together, no matter the hour, not matter the distance.
The "One More Game" Phenomenon: Anyone who loves American Mahjong knows the famous phrase: "Just one more game!" You get so caught up in the strategy and fun that you lose all track of time.
"Oops, It’s Already Midnight!": The name is also a nod to that exact, joyful moment when you look up at the clock and realize, "Oops, it’s already midnight!" The game is so engaging and the time flies so fast that the night slips away before you even know it.
Why Club?
By starting to play and owning your very first set of tiles, you automatically become a member of a very special club. This club doesn't require any official sign-ups, monthly fees, or applications. Instead, it is a warm, welcoming community that naturally evolves and builds itself around you simply by playing this amazing game of American Mahjong. Whether you play at a local community center, a cozy kitchen table with friends, or at a tournament, you are instantly connected to a rich tradition and a nationwide network of passionate players. Welcome to the American Mahjong family, welcome to the club!
Let's get connected thru American Mahjong
Is it hard to learn American Mahjong?
Let’s be honest, when you first start learning how to play American Mahjong, it can feel a little overwhelming. This isn’t your classic deck of cards that has been sitting in your kitchen drawer for years. With 152 beautifully crafted tiles, intricate symbols, and a constantly evolving card, it’s a whole new world.
But don't let the setup fool you! Every expert player started exactly where you are right now. Learning the rhythms of the game, mastering the Charleston, and discovering the strategy is all part of the thrill.
We assure you, the moment everything clicks and you call your very first "Mahjong!", you will be smiling like a Cheshire Cat and you'll be beyond proud of what you've accomplished.
Get ready to fall in love with a game where time flies, community thrives, and every round is a brand-new adventure.
Where do I find players and teachers for American Mahjong?
We created an app for exactly this purpose. Download it onto your phone and find teachers, open play locations or simply create your own group.
Can I be an affiliate store?
Let’s build something beautiful together! The American Mahjong community is growing incredibly fast, and we are looking for passionate partner stores to bring this unique experience to players everywhere. Even if your city already has a retail partner, get in touch. Our local communities thrive on multiple hubs, and there might be a perfect spot for you at the table. Reach out today and let's explore the possibilities!
Can I become an affiliate?
We would love to have you onboard! We are currently planning to launch our official affiliate program very soon. Sign up for our newsletter to stay tuned, and be the first to know when applications open.
How to play
The European Mahjong Card allows players of all different languages to play together. The basics like suits, winds or dragons are the same in all languages but rules and how to set up your lines is translated in an ever growing array of languages.
BECOME PART OF OUR COMMUNITY
We founded The MIDNIGHT MAHJONG Club to share the joy of this game and to create and foster genuine connections – for new players discovering their first pung, as well as for seasoned pros who know their favorite hand by heart.
It is our mission to bring a seamless Mahjong experience to Europe – starting right here in Munich. Our first partner location has begun welcoming players who want to discover what generations of Americans have cherished so much: a game that sharpens the mind, warms the heart, and forges lifelong friendships.
Whether you are picking up tiles for the first time or have been playing for decades – there is always a seat reserved for you at our table.
Our signature product
The TMMC Classic Set was developed for a single purpose: to make the game instantly readable for everyone at the table. Each of the three suits – Dots, Bam, and Crack – has its own visual identity, ensuring players always know exactly what they are holding in their hands at a single glance.
The color system was designed to be flexible from the ground up, so it can effortlessly adapt to new color palettes and future editions – without losing the clarity that makes the set so special. Whether you are setting up your first or your five-hundredth game, the tiles feel secure and thoughtfully crafted in your hands. This is the set we wished we had when we first started playing – and now, it can be yours.