The Mahjong Lexicon

Whether you're brand new to American mahjong or you've been calling "Mahj!" for years, every player speaks a common language. From Charlestons and jokers to soap and bam birds, these are the words you'll hear around every table.

Welcome to The Mahjong Lexicon, our guide to the terms, expressions, and tile names every player should know.

1. Charleston

The Charleston is the tile-passing sequence that takes place before the hand begins. Players exchange unwanted tiles in a series of passes, creating new opportunities before play officially starts. It's equal parts strategy, anticipation, and chaos.

Mahj Obsessed Pick: Feisty Mood hoodie, for when you're one Charleston away from chaos.  Believe me, we've been there!

2. Soap

"Soap" is the nickname for the white dragon tile. Ask a room full of players why it's called soap, and you'll probably get a dozen different answers. Whatever its origin, every American mahjong player knows exactly what "soap" means.

3. Bam

Short for bamboo. Bam tiles are numbered one through nine and are one of the three numbered suits used in American mahjong.

Mahj Obsessed Pick:  It looks great on your wall in glossy acrylic. 

4. Crak

Short for characters. Craks are another of the three numbered suits and are instantly recognizable by the Chinese characters printed on each tile.

Mahj Obsessed Pick:  Did we mention acrylic?  There's a Crak version. Of course there is.

5. Dot

Dots complete the three numbered suits. Whether you're waiting on a 3 Dot or building around a 7 Dot, you'll hear players refer to them simply as "dots."

Mahj Obsessed Pick:  The "I'm Melting" dot statement wall art is hotter than winning a closed hand.

6. Bam Bird

The 1 Bam tile features a bird instead of a bamboo stick, making it one of the most recognizable tiles in the game. It's also one of the most beloved.

Mahj Obsessed Pick: The One Bam Bird is one of mahjong's most iconic tiles.  Wear it, hang it, or sip wine from it.

7. Joker

Jokers are wild tiles that can substitute for tiles in many combinations on the National Mah Jongg League card. They're valuable, strategic, and almost impossible to give one away without thinking twice.

Mahj Obsessed Pick: The Joker is one of the stars of the "Mahj Classics" set of 4 wine tumblers.

8. Exposure

An exposure is a group of tiles placed face up on your rack after calling a discarded tile. Once exposed, everyone at the table knows part of your hand.

9. Concealed Hand

A concealed hand is completed without exposing any tiles during play. These hands often score well and require careful planning.

10. Dead Hand

A hand that can no longer be completed based on the tiles already played or exposed. Every player has experienced the disappointment of realizing they're officially dead.

11. Wall

The wall is the stack of remaining tiles players draw from throughout the game.

Mahj Obsessed Pick: For our mahjong moms - "Raising Children, Walls and Glasses" t-shirt.  

12. Pick

To draw a tile from the wall on your turn.

13. Discard

The tile you choose to throw after making your pick.

14. Calling

Calling means claiming another player's discard because it completes part of your hand.

15. Pair

Two matching tiles used in many winning hands.

16. Pung

A set of three identical tiles.

17. Kong

A set of four identical tiles.

18. Quint

A set of five identical tiles, made possible with jokers in American mahjong.

19. Rack

The rack holds your tiles throughout the game and keeps your hand hidden from other players.

20. NMJL Card

The annual National Mah Jongg League card lists every official hand for the current year. Most American mahjong games follow the latest card.

21. East

One of the four winds. East traditionally begins the game and often carries a little extra prestige around the table.

22. Flowers

Flower tiles appear in many hands and are often some of the prettiest tiles in a set.

Mahj Obsessed Pick: Forget bouquets, these are the flowers that matter.  Let everyone know how you feel with the "Flowers I Really Wanted" sweatshirt.  

23. Dragons

The red, green, and white dragons are among the most recognizable tiles in American mahjong.

Mahj Obsessed Pick: One of the most iconic tiles.  Even more iconic hanging on your wall.

24. Mahj

The moment every player is waiting for. Calling "Mahj!" means you've completed a winning hand.

Mahj Obsessed Pick: It's why we're here.  Share how you feel about mahjong with the customizable "Mahj Over...." t-shirt.  Cardio? Therapy? Sleep?  We're here for it. 

25. Mahj Obsessed

It's not an official mahjong term, but anyone who rearranges vacation plans around game night, spots bam birds everywhere, or can't resist another mahjong accessory knows exactly what it means.

If that sounds familiar, you're in the right place.

Show off your obsession.