The free tools on this site will teach you the tiles, the Charleston and the payouts. The First Game Night Kit puts it all on paper, so you can study on the couch and keep a cheat sheet next to your rack on the night. It is written for people who have never played before, in large, readable type, with the same friendly tone as the rest of firstmahj.
What's inside the kit
| Two-page table cheat sheet | Every tile with its name, Crak numbers, dragon and suit pairs, the Charleston order, joker rules, calling rules and payouts. |
|---|---|
| The Charleston, step by step | A diagram of every pass, blind passes, the courtesy pass, and what to keep versus what to pass. |
| How a turn works | Drawing, discarding, calling for exposures, dead hands, and a checklist before you say "Mahjong!" |
| How to read the card | Numbers, colors, D, F, X and C, values and "any" notes, plus a five-question quiz with answers. |
| 12 original practice hands | Six from this website plus six bonus hands found only in the kit, each with a sample finished hand. |
| Practice drills | Three dealt hands: pick a practice hand and choose your first pass, with an answer key. |
| Hosting your first game night | Table setup, snacks that won't ruin your tiles, and a timeline for the evening. |
| 12 common beginner mistakes | And how to avoid each one, from passing a Joker to apologizing all night. |
| Table talk | Eighteen words and phrases you'll hear in your first hour, in plain English. |
| Checklist and score sheet | What to bring and know, plus a printable payout tally for up to 12 hands. |
A look at the pages
Who the kit is for
- You just joined a club, signed up for lessons, or got invited to a game night.
- You learn best with something printed in front of you.
- You want to practice reading a card before you see the real one.
- You are hosting friends who are also new, and want a plan for the evening.
If you have played American mahjong for a few seasons, the kit will feel basic. It is meant for your first few nights at the table.
About the practice hands
The official card is published every spring by the National Mah Jongg League, and its hands belong to the League. We never reproduce them. Instead, the kit includes twelve original practice hands written by firstmahj. They use the same notation, colors and rules as a real card, so learning them teaches you to read any card. Every practice hand is clearly labeled "practice card — not the official card." To play at a real game night, buy the current card at nationalmahjonggleague.org.
How delivery works
- Click the button above. A secure Lemon Squeezy checkout opens on this page.
- Pay with a card, Apple Pay or PayPal, where available.
- Download the PDF right away. A link is also emailed to you.
Questions before you buy? Email hello@firstmahj.com. A real person reads every message.
