The Bam suit (bamboo)

Bams (bamboo) are one of the three suits in American mahjong: tiles numbered 1 to 9, four of each, 36 in all. The 1 Bam is usually drawn as a bird instead of a stick. Bams go with the Green Dragon.

• Count the sticks to read the number; the 1 Bam is a bird.
• Four copies of each number: 36 Bam tiles.
• The Green Dragon belongs with Bams in hands that pair a dragon with a suit.

Each tile

1 Bam · 2 Bam · 3 Bam · 4 Bam · 5 Bam · 6 Bam · 7 Bam · 8 Bam · 9 Bam

Watch the tiles lesson · Practise naming tiles

Common questions

Why is the 1 Bam a bird?

It's a tradition from Chinese sets: the 1 Bam is drawn as a bird instead of a single stick. It's still the 1 Bam.

What does bam stand for?

Bamboo. Players also call them sticks.

Which dragon goes with Bams?

The Green Dragon.

Other tiles

Craks · Dots · Winds · Dragons · Flowers & Jokers