A mahjong set is a thoughtful gift and an easy one to get slightly wrong. Before you buy a mahjong set as a gift, run three checks on the product page: the tile count, the jokers and the tile size. Each takes under a minute, and together they protect you from a present that cannot be played or does not suit the person you bought it for.
Key takeaways
- A complete American set has 152 tiles, and the jokers are part of that number.
- A listing should show eight jokers that match the rest of the set in size and finish.
- Tile measurements in millimeters tell you far more than words like "regular size".
- Some sets, including ours, contain tiles only. Many retail sets also bundle racks, pushers, dice and a case, and the yearly card is usually separate, so read each listing.
- Count the tiles as soon as the box arrives, well before the gift day.
Check 1: the count is 152
A full American set has 152 tiles in play, and the jokers are part of that number. The breakdown is simple, and you can check any listing against it.
| Group | Tiles |
|---|---|
| Dots, 1 to 9, four of each | 36 |
| Bams, 1 to 9, four of each | 36 |
| Craks, 1 to 9, four of each | 36 |
| Winds, four of each of four | 16 |
| Dragons, four of each of three | 12 |
| Flowers | 8 |
| Jokers | 8 |
| Total | 152 |
If a listing quotes a larger figure, such as 160, find out what the extra tiles are. They are usually spare pieces, such as blanks or extra jokers, that are not used in play. The playing set is still 152. For the full explanation, see how many tiles are in an American mahjong set.
Check 2: eight jokers that match
Look for eight jokers, named clearly in the listing. They should match the rest of the set in size and finish. A joker that is a hair too tall catches on its neighbors when the wall is pushed, and it draws attention to itself in a hand you want to keep private. Our guide to why all eight jokers should match covers the details.
Check 3: size and thickness are listed
Look for tile measurements in millimeters. Ours are 35 x 25 x 11 mm (1.38 x 0.98 x 0.43 in). Sizes vary from set to set, so a number tells you far more than a description. If the recipient already owns racks or plays at a club, the size is the one thing that might not suit them, and it is worth knowing before you buy. Read tile size and thickness for what the numbers mean in the hand.
Know what is not included
Ask what the box actually contains. Our sets include tiles only. Racks, pushers, mats, bags, dice and the yearly card are all separate. The card is published each year by the National Mah Jongg League, and every player needs a current copy. If you want to give a complete package, plan those extras as well, or choose a gift that does not depend on them.
A worked example: two listings side by side
Imagine two made-up listings for a gift.
| Listing A | Listing B | |
|---|---|---|
| Headline | "Mahjong set, 160 pieces" | "American mahjong set, 152 tiles" |
| Jokers | Not listed | 8, matching the set |
| Size | "Regular size" | 35 x 25 x 11 mm |
| Contents | Unclear | Tiles only, others sold separately |
Listing A tells you almost nothing you can check. Listing B answers all three questions in the first lines. You do not have to choose the cheaper one or the prettier one, but you should choose the one that lets you verify the facts before you pay.
Common mistakes
- Taking a bigger number as better value. A listing of 160 usually includes tiles not used in play.
- Not checking the jokers. If the listing is silent about them, ask.
- Skipping the size. A size that does not suit a player's racks is one reason a set might sit unused.
- Assuming the card is in the box. It is separate for our sets and for many others.
- Leaving the count until the gift day. Open the box early, so that any problem can be raised while the 30-day window is open.
- Judging a set by a photo alone. Photos flatter. The numbers in the description are what you can verify.
Try it before you order
Open a note on your phone and write the three checks as headings: count, jokers, size. Fill each in from the product page. If you cannot fill one, send a message to the seller before you order. After the box arrives, lay out the tiles in rows by type and tally them against the table above. Then rewrap the set with a clear conscience. If the recipient is brand new to the game, a printed copy of a beginner guide tucked in the box is a kind touch, and ours are free to read in the Learn Mahjong blog.
Timing matters too. Ours are made to order, so read when to order a mahjong set for a gift before you set a date.
Frequently asked questions
How many tiles should a mahjong set for gifting have?
A complete American set has 152 tiles, including eight jokers. Anything beyond 152 is normally spare tiles that are not part of play.
Why does one listing say 160 tiles?
Some retail sets add spare tiles, such as blanks or extra jokers. The playing set is still 152. Read the description to see what the extra tiles are.
Does a mahjong set come with racks and the card?
Not always. Ours does not. It contains tiles only, so racks, mats, bags, dice and the yearly card are separate. Always read the "what's included" line.
How do I know if the tile size will suit the recipient?
Get the measurements in millimeters and compare them with the set she already uses, if you can. If she has racks, ask a friend or family member whether the tile size fits.
What if the set arrives and something is wrong?
We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee counted from the delivery date. Contact support@mysolamz.com or use the contact page. That is why it helps to open the box and count the tiles right away.
Is free shipping included?
Orders over $75 ship free in the US, which a mahjong set reaches on its own.
About our sets. A SOLMAY American mahjong set has exactly 152 tiles (36 dots, 36 bams, 36 craks, 16 winds, 12 dragons, 8 flowers and 8 matching jokers), each 35 x 25 x 11 mm, with original artwork UV-printed on glossy pearlescent acrylic. Sets are printed to order in Vietnam. Racks, pushers, mats, bags and the yearly card are not included. See the mahjong sets.
Keep reading
- When to order a mahjong set for a gift
- Gifting the whole table
- How many tiles are in an American mahjong set?
- Gift returns: how a 30-day window works
- What you need to play American mahjong
These guides follow the way American mahjong is commonly played with the National Mah Jongg League card. Groups sometimes add house rules, so agree on yours before the first hand, and always use the current year's official card. SOLMAY is not affiliated with the NMJL.
