The History of Mahjong

Origins in China

Mahjong developed in China during the late Qing dynasty in the 19th century and spread quickly through Chinese cities as a four-player game of skill and luck.

The 1920s craze in America

In the early 1920s mahjong sets were imported to the United States and the game became a national craze. Early sets were made of bone and bamboo, later of Bakelite and Catalin plastics; vintage sets from this era are now collected.

The birth of American mahjong

American players adapted the rules, and in 1937 the National Mah Jongg League was founded in New York. It standardized the game and began publishing an annual card of winning hands, a tradition that continues today. Jokers and the Charleston became defining features of the American game.

Mahjong today

Today mahjong is enjoying a new wave of popularity, with modern designer sets turning game night into something to display. Explore our mahjong tiles or learn how to play mahjong.