The Complete Guide to Mahjong in Hilton Head and Bluffton

Welcome to your guide to Mahjong in Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and Beaufort. Find local events and lessons, improve your strategy with monthly challenges and discover everything you need to host a memorable Mahjong night.

Mahjong Events in Hilton Head, Bluffton & Beaufort

Looking for a place to play? Find upcoming Mahjong lessons, open-play gatherings, tournaments and special events across the Lowcountry.

Hosting a local Mahjong event? Submit it to our calendar.

Learn to Play Mahjong in the Lowcountry

Learn with Pink Palmetto Mahjong

Whether you are completely new to the game or ready to sharpen your strategy, Jennifer Kenwell of Pink Palmetto Mahjong offers engaging instruction designed to help players build confidence at the table.

• Introduction to Mahjong
• 2 Part Class

Put Your Mahjong Strategy to the Test

Each month, LOCAL Life and Mahjong instructor Jennifer Kenwell of Pink Palmetto Mahjong share a new hand, strategy question or common mistake. Study the tiles, choose your move and then watch Jennifer explain the best approach.

Host a Memorable Mahjong Night

A great Mahjong gathering is about more than the tiles. Set the table, prepare a few easy bites and create a game night your group will want to repeat.

Easy Bites for the Mahjong Table

Where to Shop for Mahjong in Hilton Head

Tiles, mats and accessories

Find Mahjong tiles, mats, racks, accessories and gifts for players at Gifted Hilton Head and Marsh on the May.

Mahjong furniture

Create a comfortable, beautiful place to play with Mahjong tables and furniture at Coastal Home, selected for the way Lowcountry homes entertain.

American Mahjong Rules, Tips & Resources

American Mahjong has its own rules, terminology and annual card of winning hands. The basics become much easier once you see a game in action, but even experienced players occasionally encounter a hand or table situation that raises questions.

Use the following resources to learn the fundamentals, order the current card and get an official answer when your table cannot agree.

A quick introduction to American Mahjong

American Mahjong is generally played by four people using tiles rather than playing cards. The goal is to build a winning hand that matches one of the combinations shown on the current National Mah Jongg League card.

A typical game includes:

• The annual card: The National Mah Jongg League publishes a new card of winning hands each year. Every player should have access to the current card.
• The Charleston: Before regular play begins, players pass groups of tiles in a structured sequence known as the Charleston.
• Drawing and discarding: Players take turns drawing a tile and discarding one as they work toward a hand on the card.
• Calling a tile: Under certain circumstances, a player may call another player’s discard to complete an exposure or declare Mahjong.
• Jokers: Jokers can substitute for tiles in certain groupings, but they cannot be used everywhere. Joker rules are a common source of table questions.
• Exposed and concealed hands: The annual card indicates whether a hand may be exposed or must remain concealed.
• Mahjong: A player wins by completing a valid hand that matches the current card. If the tiles run out before anyone completes a hand, the game ends without a winner.

This is only a general overview. The annual card and official instruction materials should be used for complete rules.

Get the current National Mah Jongg League card

The winning hands change annually, so players need the card for the current year. The National Mah Jongg League offers standard, large-print and mega versions.

Learn about American Mahjong

The National Mah Jongg League explains the primary differences between American Mahjong and other versions of the game. American play uses an annually updated card, additional tiles including jokers and the Charleston passing sequence.

Have a question about an official rule?

Not every situation can be answered with a quick online search. Questions often arise about jokers, concealed hands, calling tiles, exposures or whether a particular hand is valid.

The National Mah Jongg League answers questions about official rules and specific hands. It also assists with disputed games. Players can contact the League by mail or call its experts at 212-246-3052.

Learn with a local instructor

The easiest way to understand the rules is to play with an experienced instructor. Jennifer Kenwell of Pink Palmetto Mahjong offers local lessons designed to help new players understand the tiles, annual card, Charleston and flow of the game.

American Mahjong Apps for Practice and Online Play

Keep your skills sharp between games with apps and online tools designed for American Mahjong. Features, platforms and fees may change, so review each option before downloading.

Mahjong Accounts to Follow