The Beginners' Guide to Buying a Mahjong Set
Buying your first mahjong set can be intimidating. Years ago the options were limited, but today there is an overwhelming number of brands and sets to choose from, not to mention vintage sets that you can find on sites like eBay. So how do you choose the right set for you?
We have the perfect system for picking out your first set: The We Mahj method.
Weight of tiles – Vintage mahjong tiles are coveted for many reasons, one of which is the weight of the tiles. The tiles of yore were often made with durable materials such as Catalin and Bakelite, whereas most tiles today are made with acrylic and melamine. There is a difference. Melamine tiles are heavier so the feel of your tiles will more closely resemble vintage tiles, but some people prefer tiles that are lighter weight.
Ease of reading the tiles – If you can’t tell a wind from a flower from a joker without a cheat sheet, it may not be the right set for a beginner. There are many gorgeous sets available, but beware of buying one with tiles that are impossible to decipher.
Materials – We already explained that most tiles today are made of melamine or acrylic and that that affects their weight. The difference in those materials is also important in terms of style and durability. Melamine tiles are generally considered more durable and scratch resistant, but there are limitations in style because the colors often appear more muted. Acrylic tiles are less chip resistant, but because of the properties of the material, they support a much wider array of colors.
Aesthetics – While some people prefer traditional-looking sets, many of us crave something a little more unique, and there are dozens upon dozens of gorgeous and eye-catching designs to choose from. Some still stay true to the style of original sets, while others turn traditional tiles on their heads. A great starter set should have a good balance of aesthetics and practicality. And remember, you can always jazz up the style of your starter set with a unique mat.
Heaviness of the set – We love the look of vintage carrying cases, but sometimes our backs disagree. A lot of sets nowadays are lighter and come with lightweight carrying cases. As we mentioned before, acrylic tiles are lighter than melamine ones, so when you multiply that by 152 tiles, there will be a difference in weight. If the heaviness of the set is a serious consideration, you can look for carrying cases with wheels.
Justifiability – Sets can be expensive. Are you getting enough bang for your buck? Will this set leave you unfulfilled and always wanting to upgrade? Is it worth splurging on that crazy expensive set that’s more like a work of art than a mahj set? To help you decide which set is right for you, we’re featuring a range of options at different price points.
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Best Budget Beginner Sets
ZGME American Mahjong Set
$76.79
You can’t go wrong with this basic beginner set from Amazon. For under $80, you get the full package — 166 engraved melamine tiles that are traditional and easy to decipher, four racks with built in pushers, a lightweight carrying case, dice, money chips, and a bettor. There are less expensive sets out there, but we think this is a great deal since it comes with all of the bells and whistles. Take me to the set!
TIASUSAN American Mahjong Set
$93.85
We also love this set from Amazon, which features 166 melamine tiles. In addition, the set comes with four tile racks with pushers, three dice, a set of chips, and a bettor, along with a stylish zippered bag and sleeves for the racks and tiles. We especially love this set because the tiles have blue backs and because the bag stands out from the many sets with floral quilted bags. Take me to the set!
Best Mid-Priced Beginner Sets
$149.95
The Metro Mah Jongg sets from Gammon Village are a great mid-priced option. The set includes 166 white melamine tiles that are engraved and hand-painted, four racks with built-in pushers and a cover, two tile trays with clear plastic lids and a quilted cover, three dice, a set of money chips, a bettor, and a lightweight canvas bag. Take me to the set!
Yellow Mountain Imports Mahjong Set
$169.99
This Yellow Mountain Imports set from Amazon features 166 engraved melamine tiles with colored backs, four acrylic racks with built in pushers, scoring coins, dice, and a bettor. The accompanying fabric soft case includes a zippered top and pouches for the tiles and racks. Take me to the set!
Best Splurge-Worthy Beginner Sets
Linda Li Black Poppy American Mahjong Set - Artisan Collection - Butterfly Series
$395.00
If you’re looking for an upgraded beginner set with tiles that are easy to decipher but that also have some pizzazz, consider the butterfly series from Linda Li. The set features 166 laser-cut, hand-painted tiles, including eight unique butterfly tiles that you can use as flowers (the set also includes eight traditional flower tiles, so you have options!). The tiles are slightly larger than standard American mahjong tiles and have a nice heft. The set also includes four solid Beachwood racks with magnetic matching pushers, two tile trays with clear plastic lids, a wooden bettor, three dice, and authentic metal money chips. In addition, you’ll receive a beautiful quilted bag with a four-pouch matching wrapper to store your racks, a matching tile cover holder, and two matching zippered bags.
The sets are available on both Amazon and Gammon Village. We encourage you to check out both as Gammon Village often has sales and Amazon changes prices frequently. Take me to the set at Gammon Village! Take me to the set at Amazon!
Vintage 1950s Cardinal American Mahjong Set
$388 or best offer
If you weren’t lucky enough to inherit a vintage set from your mother or grandmother, you can still get your hands on amazing sets from the past. It can be overwhelming looking on Ebay because there are so many vintage sets, and you need to make sure there are the right number of tiles (at least 152). We love this gorgeous set, which was manufactured by Cardinal in the 1950s. It includes 165 Bakelite tiles, five racks, a book, a spinner, and a traditional vintage carrying case. Take me to the set!