American Mahjong has its own vocabulary, and most of it is never explained to newcomers — it is just used. Here is the plain-language version.
The tiles
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Bams | The Bamboo suit, 1–9. The 1 Bam is usually drawn as a bird. |
| Craks | The Character suit, 1–9. Often spelled "Craks"; you will also see "Cracks". |
| Dots | The Circle suit, 1–9. |
| Winds | East, South, West, North. |
| Dragons | Red, Green and White. |
| Soap | Another name for the White Dragon tile. Follow the current card and rules for how the tile is used. |
| Flowers | Eight tiles, all interchangeable in American play. |
| Jokers | Eight wild tiles — usable only in groups of three or more, never in singles or pairs. |
| Blanks | Unmarked spare tiles supplied with some sets. They are separate from the standard 152 playing tiles; check the listing for the spare breakdown. |
The game
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Charleston | The opening exchange. Three mandatory rounds of passing three unwanted tiles, with an optional second Charleston after. Follow the Charleston procedure used by your group. |
| The Card | The annual list of legal winning hands, issued by the National Mah Jongg League. Changes every year. |
| Hand | A winning combination of 14 tiles that matches a line on the card exactly. |
| Wall | The tiles stacked at the start of play, two high, before drawing begins. |
| Exposure | A group you claimed from a discard, turned face up on your rack where everyone can see it. |
| Call | Claiming a tile someone just discarded in order to complete a group. A call normally requires the relevant exposure; claiming the final tile for Mah Jongg is a separate case. Follow the current rules for your table. |
| Mah Jongg! | What you say when your hand is complete. Traditionally spelled with two g's in the American game. |
The equipment
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Rack | The stand that holds your tiles upright and hides them from the other players. |
| Pusher | The arm used to push your section of the wall into the centre. Usually built into the rack. |
| All-in-one | A rack with the pusher integrated. This is what most American sets use, and what most players expect — four of them, one per player. |
Two phrases that give beginners away
- "White Dragon" — technically correct, but at the table it is Soap.
- "Can I use a Joker for that pair?" — you cannot. Jokers only work in groups of three or more.
None of these matter to whether you enjoy the game. But picking them up early makes joining an established group much less awkward.
Written by Joker & Jade, a shop selling American Mahjong sets. The tile counts and rules above follow the standard American game.
Use the terms while choosing a set
Compare the face markings in the illustrated first-set buying guide, separate the playing-tile count from the box count, and check what the annual card supplies. For tile sets and spare composition, follow the named product and selected option.
Continue choosing your set
First-set buying guide · Product and order FAQ · Browse Mahjong designs
Editorial review: Joker & Jade, 21 October 2026. This is a retailer’s equipment guide. For NMJL-style rules and the current card, consult the National Mah Jongg League. About Joker & Jade.