Where to play and practise American mahjong online
Online play is the quickest way to get comfortable with the card and the flow of a game between lessons. These are the main options for American, card-based mahjong, not the Chinese or solitaire games that dominate app stores.
Checked and updated October 31, 2026
We have not been paid by any of these apps and have not tested them hands-on. Details come from each app's App Store listing or from I Love Mahj's comparison page (which ranks its own app first), checked October 31, 2026. Prices change; check before you subscribe.
The options
| App | Cards | Who you play | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| NMJL Online National Mah Jongg League (developed by Quicksilver Software) | Official League card; requires the annual card plus a membership | People and AI players, lobby to meet new players | Free download; membership $4.99/month, $12.99/quarter or $49.99/year (App Store) |
| Real Mah Jongg Mattron Entertainment | League card, plus The Big Card and Mah Jongg Press cards | Live players, bots or a mix; voice and text chat | 2-week free trial, then $6.99/month (App Store) |
| Mahjong 4 Friends Unwind Media | League 2026 card and Marvelous card; also Chinese and other styles | Friends, public tables, AI to fill seats | Free download; optional upgrades including an NMJL Pro add-on at $5.99 (App Store) |
| I Love Mahj I Love Mahj | American mah jongg, plus its own free card | Friends, bots (three levels) or a mix; groups and scheduled games | 2-week free trial, then $6/month or $60/year (its own site) |
| Mahjong Time Mahjong Time | Many mahjong styles, including American | People; bots for training only | Free games or trial; extras cost more |
| My Jongg My Jongg | American | People, basic bots or a mix | Free games or trial; premium adds statistics |
Which one to pick
- You want the official experience: NMJL Online is the League's own game. You need the annual card plus a membership.
- You want to play with friends who use different cards: Real Mah Jongg supports the League card and two alternatives.
- You want to try before paying: Mahjong 4 Friends is free to download; Real Mah Jongg and I Love Mahj have two-week trials.
How to practise alone
- Play against bots with your card open, and say out loud which hand you are aiming for.
- Drill the Charleston with our Charleston trainer. It is free and needs no account.
- With real tiles: deal yourself 13, pick a hand from the card, then draw and discard from the wall until you make it. You will learn the card fast.
- Do not use mahjong solitaire for practice. It is a different game.
Common questions
Can you play American mahjong online for free?
Mostly through free trials. Mahjong 4 Friends is free to download with optional upgrades; Real Mah Jongg and I Love Mahj offer free trials before a subscription. The League's official app needs a paid membership.
What is the best app for practising American mahjong alone?
Any app with bots and the current card works. Real Mah Jongg, NMJL Online, Mahjong 4 Friends and I Love Mahj all let you fill seats with computer players.
Do I need my own card to play online?
For the League's own app, yes: it requires the official annual card plus an online membership. Other apps show the hands in different ways; check each app's terms.
Is mahjong solitaire the same as mahjong?
No. Mahjong solitaire is a one-player matching game that uses mahjong tiles. It will not teach you American mahjong.
Ready for a real table? Find lessons and open play near you.