# What Is American Mahjong?

**Quick answer:** American mahjong is a style of mahjong where you win by matching one hand from a card of hands. It adds Jokers and a tile pass called the Charleston. Mahjong Island plays this way.

Source: https://mahjongisland.com/blog/is-seven-pairs-a-winning-hand-in-mahjong · Mahjong Island · Updated 2026-10-29

**American mahjong** is a style of mahjong where players win with a hand from a card of hands. Its sets include joker tiles. Before play begins, players pass tiles to each other in a ritual called the Charleston. A new card usually comes out each year.

## What makes American mahjong different?

There are many regional styles of mahjong, including Chinese, Hong Kong, Japanese Riichi, and American mahjong. In the American style, you pick one hand from the card and collect the tiles it names.

## How does Mahjong Island play it?

Mahjong Island is American-style mahjong on its own Island Card. It has the familiar tiles, the Charleston, Jokers, and Flowers. The card of hands is written by Mahjong Island.

You win by completing one hand on the Island Card: 14 tiles that match one line on the card. The Island Card 2027 has 45 hands in 9 sections. Each month adds 3 Bonus Hands.

Each hand is written as groups of identical tiles, such as a Pair (2 tiles), a Set (3), or a Quad (4). A Joker can fill a Set or a Quad, but never a Pair. See [how the Island Card works](/guides/mahjong-winning-hands) for every kind of group.

The tiles are the ones American mahjong players already know. Here are the Dots, one of the suits.

[Meet the Dots](https://mahjongisland.com/learn/meet-dots)

## One tip for your first hand

Watch the Hand Cards under your Rack. They show the hands on the card you are closest to and how many tiles away each one is. For the full walk-through, read the [beginner's guide to Mahjong Island](/guides/how-to-play-mahjong).

[Play a hand free](https://mahjongisland.com/play?new=1)

## Frequently asked questions

### Is American mahjong the same as Chinese mahjong?

No. They are different regional styles, and American mahjong is played with a card of hands, joker tiles, and the Charleston.

### How many people play American mahjong?

American mahjong is usually played by four players around a table. On Mahjong Island you play against 3 bots that follow the same rules and never see your hidden tiles.

### Can I play American-style mahjong online for free?

Yes. Mahjong Island is free at mahjongisland.com, and you can play a hand in your browser with no sign-up and no download.