The Official Siamese Mah Jongg® Rulebook
The 2nd Edition includes the introduction and official rules for the new Black Dragons.
Siamese Mah Jongg® Gear Guide
Everything you need for the two-player game.
Siamese Mah Jongg® uses the same tiles as American Mah Jongg, plus a few things of its own: its own card and rulebook, Black Dragon stickers, and racks built for two. Here’s what I recommend to my MahjPhD 151 students.
New to Mah Jongg sets in general? Start with my Student Gear Guide.
Siamese Mah Jongg® is a registered trademark owned by Gladys Grad.
01 · From Gladys Grad, creator of Siamese Mah Jongg®
Start with the Siamese Mah Jongg® essentials.
These are my top recommendations for every player. Buy them from Mah’s Helping Hand, Tina Gottesman’s shop, or from Siamese MahjTops, run by Gladys’ niece Jenifer. At Siamese MahjTops, use code DUBBS10 to save 10%.
Disclosure: DUBBS10 is an affiliate code. When you use it, you save 10%. Using this code doesn't earn me a commission, but the brand does occasionally send me free products to try! I only recommend gear I use and trust.
The Siamese Mah Jongg® card
The 2026 card is available now, and the 2027 card is available for preorder now.
Black Dragon stickers or decals
You need 4 stickers or decals for each set of tiles you want to use for Siamese. They go on your blank tiles.
02 · Tiles
What to look for in a tile set.
- Required152 tiles for NMJL play, including 8 jokers and 8 flowers.
- For SiameseAt least 4 blank tiles. The Black Dragon stickers go on them. Every set I recommend below includes enough blanks.
- Nice extrasMost sets also include 2 extra jokers, 8 extra flowers, and blank tiles you can use to replace any that go missing.
- Size1.2″ is the standard size. 1.5″ “chunky” tiles are nice for playing without racks, especially if you plan to try Asian variants of mahjong.
When you’re learning, choose a set with standard, traditional tile faces. Decorative designs are fun later, but traditional faces make tiles much faster to recognize and match what you’ll see at most tables.
My recommendations
Tiles, racks & dice
Everything you need to get started in one box.
View on AmazonStandard tiles
Traditional faces at the standard size. The right place for most players to start.
View on AmazonChunky tiles
Great for playing without racks. If you do use racks, you’ll need 20″ ones.
View on AmazonSemi-traditional tiles
A multi-layer set that keeps faces close enough to traditional to learn on.
View on AmazonI also recommend the sets from Mahjongg Maven.
03 · Racks
Racks built for two.
You can play with two standard racks, but I prefer Siamese racks: each has two sloped parts, two exposure parts and one unattached pusher.
My recommendations
Plastic Siamese racks
From Siamese MahjTops. Use code DUBBS10 to save 10% (affiliate code; I don't make money from this code, but I do receive free items from the brand from time to time.).
View on EtsyWooden Siamese racks
Nicer, but harder to come by. I’ve used this supplier on Alibaba and the quality is excellent.
View on Alibaba04 · Mats
Pick one you love.
A mat keeps the tiles quieter on the table and lets them slide around easily when you’re washing (shuffling) them. Beyond that, I don’t recommend a specific mat. That one really comes down to personal preference and aesthetic.
05 · Checklist
Your shopping checklist.
- This year’s Siamese Mah Jongg® card, large size, bought from a reputable store (one for every player)
- The Official Siamese Mah Jongg® Rulebook
- 4 Black Dragon stickers
- 152 tiles (8 jokers, 8 flowers) with traditional faces, with at least 4 blanks
- Siamese racks
- A mat in whatever style you like
Ready to play for two?
Learn the game in MahjPhD 151, or send me a link to any gear you’re considering and I’ll tell you whether it’ll work.