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Which mahjong should you learn first?

Most beginners don't realize there's more than one mahjong. The three big styles share the same tiles but play very differently. Here's how to choose.

Short answer: learn Hong Kong first — it's the simplest classic ruleset and the gentlest on-ramp. Pick American if you want to join a U.S. club, or Riichi if you love strategy and playing online.
60-second picker

What matters most to you?

Tap one — we'll point you to the style that fits.

Side by side

American vs Hong Kong vs Riichi

Same tiles, three different games. The big differences at a glance.

 AmericanNMJLHong KongclassicJapanese Riichi立直
Best forSocial players, clubsTotal beginners, familyStrategy & anime fans
Difficulty
Easiest
Where it's bigUnited StatesChina, HK & worldwideJapan & online worldwide
Uses jokers?Yes — 8 wild jokersNoNo
ScoringYearly card of handsFaan (doubles) — simplestHan / fu + dora
Play online?A few sitesYes — free hereHuge (Soul, Tenhou)
Our guideHow to play →How to play →How to play →
The three styles

A closer look

red dragonwhite dragon soapjoker

American

For social players & club nights

  • Jokers, racks & a yearly card
  • Booming across the U.S.
  • Wonderfully social
Learn it →
green dragon3 dots1 bamboo

Hong Kong

For total beginners & family games

  • Clearest, simplest rules
  • Forgiving faan scoring
  • Huge global player base
Learn it →
1 character5 dots9 bamboo

Japanese Riichi

For strategy & anime fans

  • Fast, sharp, deeply tactical
  • The competitive online favorite
  • Riichi declarations & dora
Learn it →
Our recommendation

Start with Hong Kong, branch out later

If you're new, Hong Kong mahjong is the best first step. Its rules are the clearest and its scoring the most forgiving, so you'll win your first game fast — and most of what you learn carries over to American and Riichi.

Already drawn to U.S. club culture, or to anime and ranked online play? Jump straight to American or Riichi — there's no wrong door.

Learn Hong Kong in 9 min → Or just play free
Questions

Frequently asked

Which mahjong is easiest to learn? +
Hong Kong — it has the clearest rules and the most forgiving scoring of the major styles, which is why we recommend it first.
Are the tiles the same across styles? +
Mostly. All three use the three suits, winds and dragons. American adds 8 jokers and treats the white dragon as a "soap"; Riichi adds red fives. The core tiles are identical.
If I learn one, can I play the others? +
Mostly. Hong Kong and Riichi share the same basic shape — four sets and a pair — so they transfer directly. American swaps that shape for a yearly card of set hands, but the tiles, the turn flow and the table skills all carry over.
Is "mahjong" the same as the solitaire matching game? +
No. This is the real four-player tile game. Mahjong solitaire is a single-player tile-matching puzzle that just borrows the tiles.