Contact Us directly
The flow
Location
Pretoria, South Africa
info@mahjongcollective.co.za
Phone
076 417 9829
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mahjong, exactly?
Mahjong is a 200-year-old Chinese tile game for four players. Think gin rummy meets poker meets the best dinner party you’ve ever been to. Players take turns drawing and discarding tiles to build a winning hand. It’s social, tactile, a little bit strategic, and genuinely addictive in the best way.
Do I need to know how to play before I buy?
Not at all. Most of our customers are brand new to mahjong. Every set comes with beginner-friendly instructions, and we have a full [How to Play guide] on our site that walks you through everything from setup to your first win.
How long does a game take?
A single round takes 20-40 minutes. Most mahjong nights run 3-4 rounds, so budget around 2-3 hours, plus wine breaks.
Which rules should you play?
We play American mahjong, which is the version currently driving the global trend. It uses the National Mah Jongg League card (more on that below) and is the most popular version for social play.
What's the NMJL card and do I need one?
American mahjong is played using a card released every April by the National Mah Jongg League. It lists the winning hands for that year, which changes annually and keeps the game fresh.
Is mahjong hard to learn?
It looks harder than it is. Most people grasp the basics in one evening and feel confident after two or three games. The strategy develops over months, which is part of the fun.