About

Mahjong Almanac

Last reviewed July 14, 2026

Mahjong is a Chinese game that traveled the world, and the people who love it deserve a home that is as careful and welcoming as the game itself. Right now that home is scattered: across dead blogs, out-of-print books, closed museums, and shops that only want to sell you something. Mahjong Almanac is the reference that should already exist.

We do three things. We teach you how to play, on each game's own terms. We explain the annual card the American game turns on: what it is, how to read a line, and where to get the current one. The League's hands are its own copyrighted work, so we point you to the official card rather than reprint it. And we help you figure out which set to buy.

We lead with China, and we name every layer of the history, including the Orientalism that rode along with the 1920s craze. We don't sell sets, which is what lets us tell you which one is actually worth buying. The full method, and our sources, are on the methodology page.

The game belongs to its players. We're just keeping the record.

Read the historyOur methodology

Common questions

What is Mahjong Almanac?
A reference for mahjong and the people who play it. We teach how each version is played, explain the annual card the American game turns on and how to read it, and help you figure out which set to buy.
How do you check your facts?
Every fact we publish carries a verified flag, and substantive claims are backed by at least two independent sources. If we cannot confirm something, we leave it out rather than guess.
Do you earn money from set recommendations?
Some outbound retailer links are affiliate links, disclosed on the page. When we say a set is worth buying, that judgment rests on materials, construction, value, and fit for the player, never on what pays us.
Are you affiliated with the National Mah Jongg League?
No. Mahjong Almanac is not affiliated with the National Mah Jongg League or any maker, retailer, or brand. We reference them by name where it is useful, and we point card buyers to the League's own store.