For American mahjong, buy a set with 152 tiles including 8 jokers, plus four racks. Chinese and Japanese sets have no jokers and cannot play the American game as sold.
What is different about an American mahjong set?
American mahjong is played with a card of winning hands published each year by the National Mah Jongg League, and it uses tiles that other versions do not. The key ones are jokers. An American set has 152 tiles: three suits of bams, cracks and dots, numbered one to nine with four of each, plus winds, dragons, eight flowers and eight jokers. Without jokers you cannot play the American game properly, so this is the first thing to check in any listing.
How many tiles should a mahjong set have?
The tile count tells you which game a set is built for. American sets have 152 tiles, sometimes with a few blank spares included. Chinese sets usually have 144 tiles, including flowers and seasons but no jokers. Japanese riichi sets usually have 136 tiles with no flowers, often with red fives. Some sets sold as universal include extra tiles so they can be used for more than one style. If a listing does not state the count and the jokers, ask before you buy.
Do I need racks and pushers?
For American mahjong, yes. Each player keeps their hand standing in a rack, and many racks have a pusher arm that slides the wall of tiles forward into the middle of the table. Four racks are needed for a full table. Many American sets include racks and pushers in the case. Chinese and Japanese players usually stand tiles directly on the table, so racks are less common in those sets.
What else should be on the table?
Each player needs a copy of the current year's card, which is sold separately by the National Mah Jongg League. You will also need dice to decide who breaks the wall, and most sets include them. A mat is worth having: it quiets the tiles during the shuffle, protects the table and keeps tiles from sliding. Some groups also use coins or chips for scoring, which may or may not come with a set.
Does tile size matter?
Yes, especially for groups who play every week. Larger tiles are easier to read across the table and easier to pick up, while smaller tiles make a lighter, more compact set that travels well. Compare the tile dimensions in a listing with a tile you have used before if you can. Also check the engraving: deep, clearly colored characters are easier to read than shallow printing under evening light.
What about the case?
Mahjong sets are heavy for their size, so a case with a solid handle, a secure latch and fitted trays keeps tiles organized and protected between games. A case that holds racks as well as tiles saves space on the shelf. If you plan to carry the set to a friend's table each week, weigh up a smaller tile size and a soft case against the full home set.