11 Unique MahJong Gifts That Will Make Any Player Happy
This highly curated gift guide has a selection of 11 unique gifts to choose from for the mahjongg lover in your life.
How we choose:
Knowing what to buy someone who loves to play mah jong can be tricky because there are such a wide variety of gifts to choose from.
Our list has been carefully curated from hundreds of reviews so you will be assured to give a great gift!
American Mah Jong set
Why it's on the list:
If you're looking to give a Mah Jong Set to your favorite Mahjong enthusiast, this choice is the best bang for your buck.
With 166 tiles and four color pushers/rack combos included in the set, she will have everything she needs to host a game.
Designed with quality craftsmanship to ensure it lasts for many years.
The Best Part: The pushers are included!
From Reviews:
Pros:
- Nice fabric on the case
- Everything needed is included
- Can't beat the price
Cons:
- Racks are not sturdy
- No rings or pegs on the racks
- No extra tiles
Full set of tiles
Why it's on the list:
A full set of mah jong tiles is one of the practical gifts if she is missing tiles in her set, or just wants to change out the tiles.
The tiles are a beautiful minty color, durable melamine, and scratch resistant, so will last for years.
And with 166 pieces included, and 4 blank spares - her set will seem brand new again!
The Best Part: Play with Chinese rules too!
From Reviews:
Pros:
- Love the color
- Tiles are so easy to read
- The ladies loved my set so much that they bought one too
Cons:
- Arrived with missing tiles
- Numbers were small on the tiles
- The tiles are small
A Metro Mah Jong Set:
Why it's on the list:
Get the real deal with this luxurious set of American Mah Jong straight from New York, where the game first started!
With hand-painted white melamine tiles that are fully engraved, this set one of the greatest gifts for any mahjong lover.
And even if she's new to the world of the game there's a free copy of the Mahjongg Primer - a $25 value!
The Best Part: All the bells and whistles are included, 4 all-in-one pushers and tile rack combo, 3 large dice, 100 money chips, and a bettor.
From Reviews:
Pros:
- The case is large, not heavy, and has a shoulder strap
- Great quality set
- Friends all gave it a big thumbs up
Cons:
- Plain with no color
- The one bam looks like a flower
- Pushers seem breakable
Joker tile decals
Why it's on the list:
At the risk of sounding rude, playing with mom or grandma's Mahjong set can get a little boring without Jokers.
Joker tile stickers are a simple way to upgrade your classic Mahjong set and make it look oh-so modern!
The set includes 8 unique decals for jokers and 2 extra blank tile decals for you to easily apply.
The Best Part: Keep those fond memories of grandma alive and enjoy playing with the set just like she did all those years ago.
From Reviews:
Pros:
- Easy application
- The stickers stuck to the tile well
Cons:
- Not bright
- Had to use crazy glue
Mah Jong Mat for Table
Why it's on the list:
Having a slippery table surface is essential to play, which is why this is one of the most useful mahjong gifts.
With this mat, the tiles will glide around like it’s an ice rink, and the material helps reduce noise, so no more waking up the whole house!
The Best Part: It comes with a carrying bag for easy travel or storage.
From Reviews:
Pros:
- Tiles slide around effortlessly
- Protected glass table
- Able to dump tiles out on the table without loud noise
Cons:
- Thinner than expected
- Came with a crease
- Had an odor
Set of 4 Pushers
Why it's on the list:
These brightly colored and fun pushers attach easily to the mahjong rack and make everyone's game more enjoyable.
No more struggling to push the wall into place it will now just swing out with the pusher. Easy Peasy.
They are compatible with standard racks, which makes them great mahjong gifts for anyone who already has a set.
The Best Part: Comes with 4 so everyone gets one
From Reviews:
Pros:
- Exactly what my set needed
- Colors are pretty
- Made the game complete
Cons:
- One came broken
- They don't fit in the case
- They didn't fit my old racks
Mah Jong Tiles Bracelet
Why it's on the list:
This adorable bracelet is made of mini-acrylic mahjong tiles, comfortable, nice and stretchy, and simple to put on & take off.
It's one of the cutest gifts on the list and all the ladies will want one!
The Best Part: Julia Roberts sported one in the 2001 Romantic Comedy, "America's Sweethearts," meaning it never goes out of style, right?
From Reviews:
Pros:
- Great gifts for Mahjong friends
- I wear it for good luck when I play
- Mom loved it
- Comfortable jewelry
Cons:
- The colors weren't bright
- Cute but cheap
- Runs small
Mah Jong Wine Charms
Why it's on the list:
These wine charms make great mahjong gifts for any hostess.
Mahjong has always been a great way to socialize, munch on snacks, and enjoy some wine.
But lately, with all the pesky germs floating around, wine charms are a must to keep everyone healthy.
Each charm has a different classic Mahjongg design, but only 1 Joker so please no fighting over who gets it!
The Best Part: Fancy a martini? The charms fit any stemmed glasses so shake it up!
From Reviews:
Pros:
- Nicer than the photos
- Adorable with great detail on each charm
- Great quality gifts
Cons:
- Too Expensive
- The ring was hard to get on the stem
- Smaller than I expected
Personalized Bag
Why it's on the list:
She will be the envy of all her mahjong pals by rocking her own personalized mahjong bag.
It's great for storing all the gear needed for a successful mahjong session - from cards, cash, phone, and even makeup! But what makes this bag truly special is that it's personalized.
The Best Part: It's machine washable, and dryer too!
From Reviews:
Pros:
- Holds the large card
- A removable handle is convenient
- My Mahjongg-obsessed friend loved it
Cons:
- The zipper pull broke
- Doesn't fit tiles
- The quality wasn't as good as I expected
Beginners guide to Mah Jongg Book
Beginners Guide
Don't let the publish date fool you, still the best book on the. market
Why it's on the list:
I purchased this book a few years after it was published and still pick it up for some pointers, after a frustrating night of not "Mahjing"
Currently, it's still one of the only books available to learn American Mahjongg, making it one of the best gifts for first-time players who may feel intimidated by the game.
Following National Mah Jongg League Rules, this book contains easy-to-follow instructions with clear diagrams illustrating how to select a hand and winning strategies.
The Best Part: Hands-on practice exercises with beautiful colored text
From Reviews:
Pros:
- I love the practice sections
- Great for refreshing your memory if you haven't played in a long time
- A Mahjongg teacher highly recommends this book
Cons:
- Bought it on Kindle and not in color
- Would prefer less history and more information
- Hard to understand if you don't have your own set
Mahjongg Table
Tornado Mahjong Table
Impress everyone at the game and let this table do all the set up
Why it's on the list:
While researching mahjong gifts I saw this table and I'm obsessed! If you're looking for a luxury item, this will be the best mahjong gift on the list.
Not only does it shuffle the tiles, it even prepares the second set of tiles in advance so no waiting between rounds.
This table sets up quickly, stored away easily, and comes with two sets of American Mahjong tiles and 4 19" wooden racks with attachable magnet pushers.
The Best Part: This will wow everyone which makes it the best Mah jong gift!
From Reviews:
Pros:
- It's a dream Mahjongg table
- Push a button and in 5 seconds the walls are up
- Can fold up for storing, rolls easily to bring outside
Cons:
- Not as thin as described
- Instructions were in Chinese
- Heavy table so not as portable as I hoped
Frequently asked questions about MahJongg
What is mahjongg?
It's a tile-based game that originated in China. The game is played with a set of tiles that are similar to dominoes.
How do you play American mahjongg?
American Mahjong is a 4-person game. Players are seated around a square table, using a Mahjong set, 2 dice, and the current year's card. The goal is to assemble winning hands as listed in the official card by assembling combinations of sets.
If you complete a hand with 14 tiles, call out "Mahjong" loud & proud;
What is the history of mah jong?
People in China played mahjong in the U.S. as early as the 1800s.
American Mahjong became popular in the 1920s, but there were still many different ways to play. Currently, there are mostly 2 versions.
One was started by spouses of Air Force officers stationed in Ohio. The other, started by the National Mah Jongg League in 1937, was adopted by Jewish women. In the decades during and after WWII, this version played an important role in the lives of Jewish Americans who have continued to pass it down generations for 80 years
What is the difference between American and Chinese Mah Jongg?
The main difference is that in the American version, the hands you can play are listed on a card, which changes every year.
In Chinese Mahjong, the allowed hands never change. Another key difference is an exchange of tiles at the beginning of the game called The Charleston.
Finally, a Chinese Mahjong set includes 144 tiles, and an American set includes 152 including 8 joker tiles.
Is MahJongg skill or luck?
Mahjong is definitely a game of skill. While luck can be a factor in certain games, it generally takes an experienced player to outsmart and outplay their opponents.
Successful players must be adept at counting, pattern recognition, and strategic thinking in order to preempt their opponents’ moves and win the game.
Luck may play a factor in the initial draw of tiles at the beginning of the game, but ultimately, Mahjong requires players to use their knowledge of probability, patterns, and strategy to take advantage of those initial draws and come out on top.
Can you play mahjongg if you don't know Chinese?
Yes! Mahjongg sets made for the American market have English numbers and letters printed directly on the tiles, which makes it easy to distinguish between them. Additionally, there are many online resources that feature instructions in both English and Chinese characters, so no matter what language you're comfortable with, you can learn how to play without any difficulty.
How many people are in a mah jong game?
There are typically four players in the game.
Are there online mahjongg games?
Yes, you can play mahjongg online. You can check these out to start:
And there you have it!
No matter what the occasion, the mahjong gifts in this guide are sure to please experts and beginners alike.
From a classic set to decorative tiles and accessories, there is a wide selection of gifts available for all skill levels and price ranges.
No matter which of the gifts you choose, it’s sure to bring joy and hours of fun for all mahjong lovers.
Happy Shopping!
Stacy