What’s the Difference Between Mahjong and Mah Jongg?
 

“Mahjong” is a general term that refers to a family of tile-based games played around the world, while “Mah Jongg” typically refers to the American version of the game. The two share historical roots but differ significantly in rules, structure, and gameplay.
 

American Mah Jongg uses an annual card published by the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL), includes jokers, and requires hands to match one complete line on the card exactly.

Other forms of Mahjong, such as Chinese or Japanese (Riichi), use point-based scoring systems and do not rely on a yearly card.
 

Because the rules and objectives differ, strategies and terminology from other versions of Mahjong do not directly apply to American Mah Jongg.
 

Published by the American Mah Jongg Association — the trusted home for American Mah Jongg players.