USA
Canada
Australia
UKGuide to Playing Mahjong Online
You can play Mahjong online in different ways; some platforms feature the traditional four-player Chinese setup, while casinos have innovatively adapted its key elements into slot-style games for real-money gambling.
This guide will point you to the best Magjong casinos online and also offer advice to help you win at the game.
Disclosure: At GamblingSites.com, our mission is to connect you with the best gambling sites and informational resources available. If you click one of the links on our site, we may earn a commission payment at no extra charge to you.
Where to Play Mahjong Online
Disclaimer: All casino Mahjong gambling games are designed as slot and scratchcard variants, rather than the traditional multiplayer format. The following are the four best gambling sites to play Mahjong online:
- Thunderpick – Best Overall Mahjong Casino
- TrustDice – Best Mahjong Casino for Beginners
- Las Atlantis Casino – Best Mahjong Casino Welcome Bonus
- TonyBet – Best Mahjong Casino for Players Outside the US
Thunderpick Best Overall Mahjong Casino
If you’re looking for a solid spot to play Mahjong online, Thunderpick might just tick all your boxes. Signing up takes less than three minutes, whether you’re on a desktop or mobile, and navigating around the site to find Mahjong titles couldn’t be simpler.
They’ve got five different Mahjong variations supplied by industry giants like Play’n GO, PG Soft, and KA Gaming. They’re listed under the ‘Slots’ category, but we found it quicker to go through the search function.
Betting starts at $0.10, and the RTP sways between 96% and 96.95%—all above the industry average. And if you’re just testing the waters, you can give all available Mahjong games a go in ‘Demo Mode’ without risking real money.
-
-
70%
80%
- Bonus: 100% up to €600
- Visit Site Read Review
TrustDice Best Mahjong Casino for Beginners
TrustDice smoothly introduces you to Mahjong through three easy-to-grasp versions: PG Soft’s ‘Mahjong Ways’ and ‘Mahjong Ways 2’ and Play’n GO’s ‘Mahjong 88’. Like Thunderpick, all games come available in demo mode, yet TrustDice takes it further by offering detailed analyses for each title. You can read about everything from the specific rules and the licensing that ensures fairness to game mechanics and optimal strategies for how to play Mahjong online.
Depositing funds is straightforward with various methods like bank cards, e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies. Should any issues arise, there’s plenty of help waiting—detailed articles, blog updates, forum chats, and 24/7 live support that usually gets back to you in under two minutes.
-
-
79%
88%
- Bonus: 100% up to 3 BTC
- Visit Site Read Review
Las Atlantis Casino Best Mahjong Casino Welcome Bonus
Anyone searching for great casino bonuses will find excellent options at Las Atlantis. New players can choose among six unique offers, ranging from match bonuses and free spins to crypto-focused promotions. The latter usually draw the largest figures, but the best part? No matter which one you pick, you can use it to play Mahjong.
Las Atlantis hosts CQ9Gaming’s ‘Mahjong Fruit,’ which is classified as a scratchcard game. This means that unlike live dealer titles and certain table games, it contributes fully to the 30x wagering requirements.
-
-
75%
66%
- Bonus: 280% up to $2,800
- Visit Site Read Review
TonyBet Best Mahjong Casino for Players Outside the US
If you’re not in the US or Ontario, Canada, TonyBet is a top choice for playing Mahjong. Though it’s primarily a sports betting site—you’ll notice that right when you land on the homepage—it also offers a range of casino games. To find Mahjong, simply click on “Casino” in the main menu. Then, use the search bar to locate the game quickly.
The offerings are similar to what you’d see on TrustDice, with PG Soft’s ‘Mahjong Ways’ and ‘Mahjong Ways 2’, plus Play’n GO’s ‘Mahjong 88’. What sets TonyBet apart are its tournament-style promotions like Battle for Treasure, which pits players against each other using any slot game available, including Mahjong. The prize pools can reach up to five figures monthly, and there are thousands of free spins up for grabs.
-
-
87%
72%
- Bonus: 100% up to $1,000
- Visit Site Read Review
How We Choose the Best Online Mahjong Casinos
To guide you toward the best Mahjong sites, we’ve analyzed hundreds of online casinos using our Jackpot Meter rating system. Here are some key elements:
Player and Expert Ratings
Our Jackpot Scores combine player reviews and expert insights to give a balanced view of each Mahjong casino. Player feedback highlights user satisfaction in areas like gameplay and support, while expert ratings focus on game fairness, software quality, and reliability.
Mahjong Variety
One of the key things we focus on is the different versions of Mahjong a site offers. We check for a range of software providers, flexible betting options that suit both casual and high-stakes players, and clear explanations of the rules for each specific title.
Mahjong Bonuses and Promotions
We look at which bonuses can be used on Mahjong games. Most of these titles are classified as slots, which means they’re usually included in bonuses and have 100% contribution rate. We carefully analyze the terms and give priority to sites with wagering requirements under 35x, a long validity period, and match bonuses that at least double your deposit.
Mobile Compatibility
We run casino apps across a range of smartphones and tablets to see how they perform on different iOS and Android systems, especially under varying network conditions. We specifically look for interface responsiveness, clarity under different screen sizes, and how the game manages battery usage.
Free Play Mahjong
If a site lets you try out casino games for free, it scores higher in our analysis. Offering demo play before registration? Even better!
Mahjong Rules and How to Play
Mahjong is one of the best skill games you can play and comes in a wealth of variations. The classic Chinese version involves four players and a set of 144 tiles. Everyone aims to build a winning hand by picking up and discarding tiles until they can form specific sets and pairs.
Mahjong Tiles
Mahjong tiles are rich in symbolism and variety, and understanding them is key to both playing and enjoying the game. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you’ll encounter in a typical set:
| Tile Category | Tile Type | Description | Tile Count | Strategic Importance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suits | Dots (Circles) | Circle pattern; 1 through 9 | 36 (4 of each number) | Used in sequences or sets based on numerical order. |
| Bamboos (Bams) | Bamboo sticks pattern; 1 through 9 | 36 (4 of each number) | Used in sequences or sets based on numerical order. | |
| Characters (Craks) | Chinese characters; 1 through 9 | 36 (4 of each number) | Used in sequences or sets based on numerical order. | |
| Honor Tiles | East Wind | Represents the east direction; marked with corresponding Chinese character. | 4 | Used in scoring; pertains to prevailing wind and seating positions. |
| South Wind | Represents the south direction; marked with corresponding Chinese character. | 4 | Used in scoring; pertains to prevailing wind and seating positions. | |
| West Wind | Represents the west direction; marked with corresponding Chinese character. | 4 | Used in scoring; pertains to prevailing wind and seating positions. | |
| North Wind | Represents the north direction; marked with corresponding Chinese character. | 4 | Used in scoring; pertains to prevailing wind and seating positions. | |
| Red Dragon | A red square with the Chinese character “中” (meaning “center”). | 4 | Scores higher than numeric tiles; used in special hands. | |
| Green Dragon | A green tile with the character “發” (meaning “prosperity”). | 4 | Scores higher than numeric tiles; used in special hands. | |
| White Dragon | A plain white tile, sometimes with a blue border or frame. | 4 | Scores higher than numeric tiles; used in special hands. | |
| Bonus | Flowers | Four tiles, each with a different plant or flower, numbered 1-4. | 4 (one for each flower) | Offers bonus points; not used in main gameplay. |
| Seasons | Four tiles, each representing a different season of the year. | 4 (one for each season) | Offers bonus points; not used in main gameplay. |
Mahjong Melds or Hands
A winning Mahjong hand consists of four sets—any combination of Pungs, Chows, and Kongs—and one pair, making a total of 14 tiles. Let’s break these down:
- Pung: A set of three identical tiles. It can be made up of any of the suit, wind, or dragon tiles.
- Kong: This is like a Pung but consists of four identical tiles.
- Chow: A sequence of three consecutive tiles from the same suit. Chows cannot be formed with honor tiles (winds or dragons).
- Pair: Two identical tiles.
Special Hands
Special hands are specific to the Mahjong rules of the version you are playing but generally include highly valued, unique combinations of tiles. For instance:
- Thirteen Orphans: One of each of the 13 unique tiles (winds, dragons, and one of each 1 and 9 of the suits) plus any one extra tile to make a pair.
- Four Concealed Pungs: A hand consisting entirely of Pungs that were all formed without claiming a tile from another player.
- All Green: A hand made entirely of green tiles, which typically includes 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 of bamboos and green dragon tiles.
- All Pairs: A hand composed of seven different pairs.
- Pure Hand: A hand consisting entirely of tiles from one suit.
How to Play Mahjong Online
A game of Mahjong begins by shuffling the tiles face-down. Players are assigned positions corresponding to the cardinal directions: East, South, West, and North.
Whoever ends up as East acts as the dealer; they start the game and enjoy specific scoring benefits, depending on the variation. Subsequent rounds see the role rotate to the next participant in a counterclockwise progression.
Here’s how the game pans out:
Setting Up
- Building the Wall: Players build a wall of 36 face-down tiles—18 tiles long and two tiles high—in front of them.
- Breaking the Wall: The dealer rolls the dice to determine where to break the wall of tiles. The count starts from the right edge of their wall section.
Dealing Tiles
- Distributing the Initial Tiles: Players draw in sets of four until each has 12 tiles; the dealer adds two more for 14, while others add one for 13.
- Organizing the Tiles: Everyone arranges their tiles so they can easily see their hands and plan for potential combinations.
Commencing Play
- Dealer’s First Action: The game starts with the dealer discarding one tile from their hand to the center of the table.
- Reacting to the Discard: All players are given the opportunity to claim this discarded tile if it completes a set (a “Pung,” “Kong,” or “Chow”).
The Flow of the Game
- Drawing from the Wall: If no one claims the discard, the next player counter-clockwise draws the top tile from the wall. This continues, with each player drawing and discarding in turn.
- Claiming Discards: Any player can claim a discarded tile if it completes a Pung or Kong, but only the next player in turn can collect it for a Chow. Once claimed, the player reveals the set and discards a different tile.
- Special Moves: If a player forms a ‘kong,’ they are granted an extra tile from the wall.
Declaring Mahjong
- Winning the Game: The first player to form a complete hand of four sets (any combination of pungs, chows, and kongs) and one pair declares “Mahjong” and wins the round.
- Ending the Round: When someone declares Mahjong, the round ends, and points are calculated based on the composition of the winning hand, including any special bonuses for conditions like a fully concealed hand (no claimed discards), using all honor tiles, or specific tile combinations (like a pure hand or all pungs).
Mahjong Scoring
While the basic structure of Mahjong—forming sets (pungs, chows) and pairs—is consistent, the scoring rules can vary widely between variants like Chinese Classical, Hong Kong, Japanese Riichi, and American Mahjong.
If you’re just getting started, the simplest way is to count the winning hand like this:
| Hand Component | Exposed Points | Concealed Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chow (Regular) | 0 | N/A | Only scores in specific hands |
| Pung (Regular) | 2 | 4 | Simples (2-8) |
| Pung (Terminals* and Honors) | 4 | 8 | 1s, 9s, Winds, Dragons |
| Kong (Regular) | 8 | 16 | Simples (2-8) |
| Kong (Terminals and Honors) | 16 | 32 | 1s, 9s, Winds, Dragons |
| Flower/Season Tiles | Special | Special | Typically 4 points each |
| Pair (Dragons/Wind) | N/A | N/A | Only scores in specific hands |
| Special Hands | Variable | Variable | E.g., All Pungs, Seven Pairs |
*Tiles that are at the ends of each suit’s numerical sequence (1s and 9s).
Mahjong Variations
What we found at the best offshore casinos differs from traditional Mahjong rules. All titles use a random number generator (RNG) and mimic online slots and scratchcard mechanics, yet they retain many elements of the original game. Let’s go through some of the most popular variations:
Mahjong Ways
Mahjong Ways by PG Soft retains the classic appeal of Mahjong in its theme but modernizes it with slot mechanics, complemented by an above-average RTP of 96.92%. It’s very popular among players due to its straightforward gameplay, in-game jackpot, and a potential maximum multiplier of 2893x the initial bet.
Mahjong Ways 2
Mahjong Ways 2 comes with a slightly higher RTP of 96.95% and entails a moderate difficulty level for a balanced challenge. While lacking an in-game jackpot, it can yield multipliers up to 1,708x the stake. Also, it includes a cascading symbols feature, where winning tiles are replaced by new ones and potentially trigger multiple wins in a single spin.
Mahjong Master
Mahjong Master, developed by KA Gaming, takes place across a 5-reel, 50-payline format. It features high volatility and an RTP of 96%, with free spins, a bonus round, and multipliers from 0.1x to 100x, all of which are facilitated by its 11 Mahjong-inspired symbols, wilds, and scatters. Potential winnings can reach up to 1,345x the stake, and while it supports both mobile and desktop platforms via HTML5 technology, it lacks a progressive jackpot. Instead, the goal is to score 29-30 points in dice rolls during the bonus round to get multipliers up to 168x.
Mahjong 88
Play’n GO’s Mahjong 88 combines traditional Mahjong but, at the same time, moves away from the typical reel and payline format using grid-based mechanics on an 8×8 board. It leverages the classic tile-matching in a novel setting with a free bet mechanism and an onscreen Mahjong Meter. The RTP stands at 96.62%, while the maximum multiplier goes up to 5,000x.
Quick Play Mahjong
Players can start playing Quick Play Mahjong with a minimum bet of $0.50 or go up to $250 per spin. This KA Gaming title has an RTP of 94% and is known for its vibrant Mahjong-themed animations. It features three primary bonuses: the wild symbol, the free games bonus—triggered by landing 3 to 5 scatters and rewards 8 to 28 free spins—and the Mahjong dice roll bonus for a chance to claim multipliers up to 168x.
Mahjong Fruit
Mahjong Fruit is a scratch game by CQ9 Gaming that blends traditional Mahjong with instant-win scratch card elements. It features 16 Mahjong signs that are each capable of forming unique winning combinations and offers a bulk purchase option—buy 10 cards and get one free. RTP stands at 96.2%, and it’s also fully optimized for both desktop and mobile play.
Play Traditional & MultiPlayer Mahjong Online
If you’re looking to play traditional Mahjong, there are hundreds of variants available. Just remember, unlike the games above, they are only for fun—you can’t gamble real money. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- Arkadium offers a variety of free Mahjong games like Mahjongg Solitaire, Mahjong Dimensions, Mahjongg Candy, and more, all of which feature different layouts and scoring methods.
- themahjong.com solely focuses on Mahjong Solitaire. It allows you to customize tile color and background and hands out several tips on tile matching strategies.
- classic-mahjong.com presents over 120 original Mahjong layouts and puzzles to play with. In case you get stuck in a situation here, you can shuffle the board.
- CrazyGames is a great place to play 3D Mahjong online along with other traditional versions. We counted 43 in total.
- Mahjongo focuses on teaching beginners with easy-to-understand instructions and practice games against bots to Riichi, Chinese, Sichuan, and American Mahjong.
Online Mahjong Strategies and Tips
Your best chance to win at Mahjong is to stay adaptable, keenly observe the game’s progression, and strategically manage your tiles for optimal hand formation. Here are four tips that could give you a head start:
Focus on Building a Balanced Hand
When you’re putting together your Mahjong hand, think about keeping a balance between the different types of tiles—characters, bamboos, and dots—along with winds and dragons. A balanced hand, especially in the beginning, gives you more flexibility in forming winning combinations.
Stay Flexible with Your Strategy
Mahjong requires adaptability, so always have a backup plan or two ready. Numbered tiles, especially 2 to 8, offer great flexibility as they can be part of chows, pungs, and kongs.
Target Concealed Hands
Aim to keep your hand concealed (not revealing any sets by claiming discarded tiles) for as long as possible. This increases your options to claim more points through bonuses and keeps your opponents guessing about your tiles, making it harder for them to block your plays or strategize against you.
Count Tiles
You know how blackjack players count cards? You can do something similar in Mahjong. Keep track of which tiles have been played; it helps you figure out your chances of drawing the tiles you need and decide if you need to switch up your strategy.
Mahjong Casinos to Avoid
Start Playing Mahjong Online Now
Mahjong traces its roots to Southern China in the mid-1800s, and over the years, numerous variations have popped up all over the world. It even found its way to online casinos, with sites like Thunderpick hosting several titles based on slot and scratch card mechanics. If you’re looking for the biggest welcome offers, check out Las Atlantis. And just like TrustDice, you can try all of them for free in demo mode before betting real money.
81%
71%