How many flowers are in American mahjong?
There are 8 flowers in an American mahjong set. The pictures can differ, but in American mahjong every flower counts as the same tile, and flowers appear in many hands on the card.
All flowers match
Any flower matches any other flower, whatever the artwork or number printed on it.
Different from Chinese mahjong
In Chinese mahjong, flowers and seasons are bonus tiles set aside. In American mahjong they are part of your hand.
In the Charleston
Because flowers show up in so many hands, many players hold them early.
Common questions
Do flowers have to match in mahjong?
No. In American mahjong every flower counts as the same tile, even when the pictures differ.
Can a joker replace a flower?
Yes, when the flowers form a group of three or more in the hand. A joker can't stand in for a single flower or a pair of flowers.
Can you pass flowers in the Charleston?
Yes. Only jokers can't be passed. Many players keep flowers early because so many hands use them.