American mahjong playing cards: play without tiles
A deck of mahjong playing cards gives you every tile of a standard American game on a card. It is a cheap, light way to play on a plane, at the beach or anywhere a set will not fit.
Checked and updated October 31, 2026
What is in a deck
An American mahjong deck matches the 152 tiles of a standard game. Yellow Mountain Imports' deck, for example:
| Cards | How many |
|---|---|
| Dots, bams, craks (1 to 9, four of each) | 108 |
| Winds | 16 |
| Dragons (red, green, white) | 12 |
| Flowers and seasons, all played as flowers | 8 |
| Jokers | 8 |
| Total | 152 |
How play changes with cards
- No walls. East draws 14 cards and everyone else 13. The rest of the deck is the face-down draw pile.
- Same Charleston. Right, across, left; optional second Charleston; optional courtesy pass. No passing jokers.
- Same calling and winning rules, and you still need the yearly card.
- You need a way to hold the cards. Some players use playing-card holders, others just a hand of cards.
Before you buy a deck
- Make sure it is an American deck with 8 jokers. Chinese-style decks exist too.
- Check the card size and print. Small cards with tiny symbols are hard to read.
Decks we saw on sale on October 31, 2026 included Yellow Mountain Imports' American Mah Jongg Playing Cards (listed at $22.99) and Oh My Mahjong's Heritage Mahjong Playing Cards (listed at $80). Check jokers and card count on any deck you are considering.
Cards or a travel set?
Cards are the lightest and cheapest way to travel with the game. A travel set keeps the feel of real tiles at 3 to 5 pounds. If your group plays at home, tiles are still the standard.
Common questions
Can you play American mahjong with cards instead of tiles?
Yes. Card decks for American mahjong have one card for every tile in a standard game: 152 cards including 8 jokers and 8 flowers. You still need the yearly hands card.
How many cards are in an American mahjong deck?
A standard American deck has 152 cards: 108 suit cards, 16 winds, 12 dragons, 8 flowers and seasons and 8 jokers, matching the tiles in a standard game.
Do you build walls with mahjong playing cards?
No. With cards you skip the walls: East takes 14 cards, everyone else 13, and the rest becomes a face-down draw pile.
Is the Charleston the same with cards?
Yes. Right, across, left, an optional second Charleston and an optional courtesy pass. Jokers still cannot be passed.
Do you still need the National Mah Jongg League card?
Yes. The playing cards replace the tiles, not the yearly card of hands.
Are mahjong playing cards good for beginners?
They are cheap and light, great for travel and casual practice. Most groups and classes still play with tiles, so you will want to get used to tiles too.
Sources: Yellow Mountain Imports, How to Play American Mahjong (Playing Cards Edition); prices from seller listings in shopping results, October 31, 2026.