Mahjong guide

How to teach a beginner mahjong class

Split the rules into four 90-minute lessons and let students play at every one: the tiles, the wall and the deal; the Charleston and reading the card; calling, exposures and Jokers; winning, paying and a first full game. Teach at tables of four with a set per table and a card for every student.

By TILE & TRELLIS · Last updated October 31, 2026

What you need

One 152-tile American mahjong set for every table of four
The current American mahjong card for every student (sold separately each year)
Handouts and a cheat sheet students can keep at their rack
A screen or printed slides if you teach more than one table

A four-lesson course

Lesson 1, Meet the Tiles: every tile, the 152-tile set, building the wall and the deal
Lesson 2, The Charleston and the Card: passing in the right order and reading a card line
Lesson 3, Calling, Exposures and Jokers: taking discards, showing groups, using and swapping Jokers
Lesson 4, Winning, Paying and Your First Game: calling Mahjong, who pays, wall games and real games

Plan your format

The same four lessons work as a weekly class, a weekend intensive or a private group. Decide early and plan sets, cards and handouts for the number of students you expect, in tables of four.

Tips for the table

Let students touch the tiles from the first minutes; sort them by suit together
Practice with made-up lines first, then move to the real card
Tell the class where groups play differently, so they can agree house rules later
End every lesson with a short game so students leave having played