A mahjong gift guide for people who do not play
Mahjong players are easy to buy for and easy to buy the wrong thing for. The whole guide comes down to one question — which mahjong do they play — and then a short list.
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The one question
Ask, or find out, whether they play American, Chinese or Riichi. If they say "mah jongg" and talk about a card, it is American. If their family is from Hong Kong, Taiwan or China, it is a Chinese variant. If they play on their phone or came to it through anime, it is Riichi. A set for the wrong variant is the mahjong equivalent of a left-handed guitar.
If they already have a set
- A thick mat: the upgrade every player notices and few buy for themselves.
- A rack-and-pusher set, for American players whose set came with plain racks.
- A fitted carrying case, for anyone whose set travels in its original box.
- A jade-style acrylic set, as the "nice" set for the table while the old one goes to the club.
If they do not have a set yet
- American player: a 166-tile set with racks and a hard case.
- Chinese variant: a size 36 engraved melamine set, or a jade-style acrylic set if the gift is meant to impress.
- Riichi: a set with red fives and point sticks.
- Unknown: a Chinese 144-tile set is the one that plays the most rules.
The big gift
An automatic table is a shared household purchase rather than a surprise. Read our guide on what to check before anyone orders one, and measure the room.