Books about American Mah Jongg

Have you been bitten by the American Mah Jongg bug yet? While I had wanted to learn for a while, I didn’t finally take the plunge until last June. And now I am obsessed! I love the game itself as well as all of the accoutrements: the designer tiles, the beautiful mats, the fun racks that hold the tiles, and the number of books on the subject. I am also having fun teaching everyone I know that doesn’t play already. Just hearing the clacking of the tiles makes me happy.

There are many types of mah jongg, and in this article, I am mainly focusing on the American version. This particular variation started appearing in the United States in the early part of the 1900s. To unify the way this game was played, the National Mah Jongg League formed in 1937, and the league began creating a standard card by which the game would be played. This way, no matter where a person went, they could find a game that they were familiar with, and everyone would be following the same rules. Today, a new annual card is issued for the year on April 1st with new lines to play and sometimes new categories.

Playing American Mah Jongg has so many benefits including mental stimulation, enhanced eye and hand coordination, building community, and enjoying a new hobby. Moreover, for those who enjoy building a collection, there are so many companies selling stunning tiles, mats, and racks. And 2026 will usher in many more tile options and new companies as the game becomes increasingly popular. I have enjoyed adding both a new hobby and a new item to collect and have met so many wonderful people who share my love of American Mah Jongg.

In Mahjong: A Chinese Game and the Making of Modern American Culture, Annelise Heinz narrates the history of this game to show how it has created a variety of meanings, among them American modernity, Chinese American heritage, and Jewish American women's culture. (Photo: Cindy Burnett)

For those who are wanting to learn as well as those who already play but want to learn more about the origins of the game or enhance their strategy skills, here are some books on the subject. A few are focused on American Mah Jongg only, and others cover numerous versions of the game. 

The Great Mahjong Book: History, Lore, and Play by Jelte Rep – The Great Mahjong Book is a good resource for beginner or experienced mahjong players and covers many of the international variants of Mahjong – including China, the U.S., Holland, the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Hong Kong. Mahjong beginners get a solid introduction to the rules and equipment they need to get started, while better players will find invaluable tips for mastering the game. Filled with hints, fun facts and numerous illustrations of memorabilia and artifacts, this book is a great gift for anyone interested in this mahjong generally.

Visual Companion Guide for American Mah Jongg by Dara Collins and Donna Miller Kassman – This guide provides clear visuals based on the league’s rules including: a primer on the game, an explanation of the rules and why they exist, concise explanations of confusing concepts, descriptions of important aspects of gameplay, reminders for often forgotten rules, and strategies to improve one’s game. This book is helpful for those starting out and anyone who feels they could use a boost for their game.

Mahjong: A Chinese Game and the Making of Modern American Culture by Annelise Heinz – This book illustrates how the spaces between tiles and the moments between games have fostered distinct social cultures in the United States. Annelise Heinz narrates the history of this game to show how it has created a variety of meanings, among them American modernity, Chinese American heritage, and Jewish American women's culture. As it traveled from China to the United States and caught on with Hollywood starlets, high society, middle-class housewives, and immigrants alike, mahjong became a quintessentially American game. No other game has signified both belonging and standing apart in American culture. This book focuses on the history of the game here in the United States and its impact on the country versus how the game is played.

Mahjong: House Rules From Across the Asian Diaspora by Nicole Wong is a step-by-step guide for new and seasoned players alike who are interested in the traditional Chinese version of the game. The vibrant photos also makes this a great coffee-table book. (Photo: Cindy Burnett)

Mahjong: House Rules From Across the Asian Diaspora by Nicole Wong – Mahjong is a step-by-step guide for new and seasoned players alike who are interested in the traditional Chinese version of the game. The book delves into the strategy, history, and design of the game and also discusses various popular styles of play (American Mah Jongg, Japanese riichi mahjong, and more). A bonus essay also breaks down the mahjong hands in the pivotal scene from the 2018 hit film Crazy Rich Asians, and snippets of the author’s family history are sprinkled throughout, telling a story of diaspora through mahjong and showcasing mahjong culture, past and present. This book will make a beautiful gift for anyone who loves the game – the vibrant photographs make this a fabulous coffee-table book.

A Beginner’s Guide to American Mah Jongg: How to Play the Game and Win by Elaine Sandberg – Offering first-time players an easy-to-follow guide to this complex game, A Beginner's Guide to American Mah Jongg includes simple, easy-to-follow instructions and clear diagrams to walk the reader through each step of the game, including how to select a hand, how to play, and how to develop winning strategies. The guide also includes hands-on "Do It" exercises, tips and quizzes for natural learning, mahjong background and history, an explanation of tile symbolism, and a glossary of mahjong terms. When I was new to the game, I found this book very helpful.

Editor's note: Read more about Mah Jongg in Mad for Mah Jongg by Jennifer Oakley. Find more ideas of games to play with friends and family in Game On by Cindy Burnett. 

For more book recommendations and bookish thoughts, see Cindy’s monthly Buzz Reads column, her award-winning Thoughts from a Page Podcast or follow @ThoughtsFromaPage on Instagram.