American vs Chinese mahjong
American mahjong uses 152 tiles including 8 jokers, starts with a passing round called the Charleston, and you win by matching a hand on that year's card. Chinese and Hong Kong mahjong use 136 or 144 tiles with no jokers and no Charleston, and you win with four sets plus a pair.
Tiles
American: 152 with 8 jokers and 8 flowers. Chinese/Hong Kong: usually 136, or 144 with flowers; no jokers.
The Charleston
Only American mahjong has the passing round before play.
How you win
American: match a hand on the current card. Chinese/Hong Kong: four groups (including runs) plus a pair, scored by patterns.
Buying a set
A Chinese set can't play American mahjong without jokers and racks; check before you buy.
Common questions
Can I use a Chinese mahjong set for American mahjong?
Not as it comes. Chinese sets have no jokers and usually no racks, so you'd need to add eight jokers and four racks, and American sets are sized for that.
Which is easier, American or Chinese mahjong?
Both are learnable in a session or two. American mahjong gives you a card to follow, which some beginners find easier; Chinese mahjong has fewer rules about specific hands.
Is Hong Kong mahjong the same as Chinese mahjong?
Hong Kong mahjong is one popular Chinese-style variant. It shares the 136 or 144-tile set and the four-sets-plus-a-pair goal.