Imagine the player opening your gift and being able to play the very same evening. That takes a set and a few extras, and it helps to know which is which. This guide explains what a mahjong set includes, what you need to add, and how to plan a gift that works from day one.
Key takeaways
- A SOLMAY set is a complete American set of 152 tiles, jokers included.
- Racks, pushers, mats, bags and the yearly National Mah Jongg League card are not included.
- Mahjong needs four players, so a full table also means four racks and a way to roll dice.
- Sets are printed to order and take roughly 10 to 18 days from order to delivery, so order early.
- Even if you give only the set, a short note listing what she needs next turns the missing pieces into a fun shopping list.
What is in a SOLMAY set
A complete American set of 152 tiles:
- 36 dots, 36 bams and 36 craks (numbers 1 to 9, four of each, which makes 108).
- 16 winds: four each of East, South, West and North.
- 12 dragons: four each of red, green and white.
- 8 flowers.
- 8 matching jokers.
Jokers are part of the 152, not extras on top. Each tile measures 35 x 25 x 11 mm (1.38 x 0.98 x 0.43 in) and carries original artwork UV-printed on a glossy pearlescent acrylic tile with rounded edges. The pearl marbling varies a little from tile to tile. If you are checking the numbers, our article on how many tiles are in an American mahjong set goes into more detail, including why some boxes mention a larger number.
What is not in the box
- Racks and pushers. Players use racks to hold their tiles, and pushers to move walls.
- A mat or other playing surface.
- A bag or case.
- Dice.
- The yearly card. It is published once a year by the National Mah Jongg League, and lists every legal hand for that year. SOLMAY is not affiliated with the League.
We do not sell racks, pushers, mats, bags, dice or the card, so you will find these elsewhere, and it is worth checking what each one includes before you buy. Our guide on what you need to play American mahjong at home covers the whole kit.
What a full table needs
American mahjong is played by four players. Put that together with the rules of the game and a table-ready gift starts to take shape:
| Item | Why it matters | In a SOLMAY set? |
|---|---|---|
| 152 tiles | The complete playing set | Yes |
| Racks (typically one per player) | Hold each player's 13 tiles, or 14 for East | No |
| Pushers | Help move the walls | No |
| Two dice | East rolls them to choose where the wall is broken | No |
| A mat or flat surface | A comfortable place to build four walls | No |
| The current year's card | Lists the legal hands for that year | No |
| A bag or case | Keeps the set together in storage | No |
If the recipient is new to the game, it helps to know how the first minutes go: players find East by dice, build four walls of 19 stacks, two tiles high, and then deal. Seeing that list makes it easy to see why dice and a flat surface are worth planning for. You can read the details in who deals first and how East is chosen.
Planning a day-one gift
- Order the set early. It is printed to order and shipped from Vietnam. Production usually takes 5 to 10 days, then shipping takes about 5 to 8 days. Allow roughly 10 to 18 days in total, and check the estimate on the product page.
- Choose racks and a mat she will like. If she already has a favorite style, ask a friend. Otherwise choose neutral colors that suit most homes.
- Add the current year's card. Buy it from the National Mah Jongg League, since the hands change every year, or include a note reminding her to get one.
- Include two dice. They are small, inexpensive and needed for the usual way of choosing East and breaking the wall.
- Add a short note. List what is included, and what she can add later.
If you are working back from a holiday, our guide to when to order a mahjong set for a gift shows how to count the days. And since the 30-day window starts at delivery, see how the gift returns window works before you wrap.
Three ways to build the gift
The set alone
A SOLMAY set is $276.00, and orders over $75 get free US shipping. Wrap the box and add a note. The set is the main event, and a clear note keeps the rest from feeling like a surprise bill.
The set plus a starter kit
Add racks, a mat and dice from another source. This is the closest thing to a day-one gift and works best when you know what she lacks.
The set plus a table of keepsakes
Our ceramic ornaments are $19.99, and a 4-pack of line reader cards is $19.99. Tuck one into the box, or give one to each player at the table. They are in stock, ship within 3 days and arrive within 7 days of shipping, so they can follow the set if it is running late. The line readers do not include the hand card.
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.
If you only want to give the set
That is a lovely gift on its own. A short note listing what she will need next turns the missing pieces into a pleasant shopping list rather than an unpleasant surprise. Something like: “The tiles are yours. Racks, a mat, dice and this year's card are the next adventure, and I would love to help you choose.”
Common mistakes
- Assuming the box has everything. It has the tiles, not the accessories.
- Forgetting the card. The hands change every year, so an old card can send a player astray.
- Calling the tile size standard. Sizes vary between sets. Ours are 35 x 25 x 11 mm.
Try it at your next game
Sit at a table with four chairs and lay out what you would need: tiles in the middle, a rack at each seat, two dice and a card. Anything you cannot picture is a candidate for the shopping list. It takes two minutes and shows you exactly where the gap lies.
Frequently asked questions
What comes in a mahjong set?
A SOLMAY set has 152 tiles: 36 dots, 36 bams, 36 craks, 16 winds, 12 dragons, 8 flowers and 8 matching jokers. Racks, pushers, mats, bags and the yearly card are not included.
Does a mahjong set come with racks?
Ours does not. Some other sets may include them, so check the listing of anything you buy elsewhere.
How many players do you need for American mahjong?
Four. Each player builds a wall of 19 stacks, two tiles high, which is 38 tiles, and four of those make 152.
How long will the set take to arrive?
Sets are printed to order. Production usually takes 5 to 10 days, then express shipping from Vietnam takes about 5 to 8 days. The product page shows an estimated arrival date.
Can I gift only the ornaments for a table?
Yes. Four ornaments at $19.99 each come to $79.96, which is over our $75 threshold for free US shipping.
Keep reading
- What you need to play American mahjong at home
- When to order a mahjong set for a gift
- How many tiles in an American mahjong set
- Three checks before you order
- Gift returns: how a 30-day window works
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.
