Practice American Mahjong Against the Computer
Friends at Mahjong lets you play American Mah Jongg against three computer-controlled opponents in your browser, with no group and no account needed to start.
American Mahjong Practice Against Computer
American Mah Jongg is usually learned and played around a table with three other people, which is great for learning but hard for practice — regular groups don't meet every day, and skills like calling tiles or reading the card fade between sessions. Friends at Mahjong's single-player table is built for that gap: a place to practice against computer opponents without organizing a four-person game.
How Single-Player Practice Works
You play against three computer-controlled opponents, working the same mechanics you'd use at a real table — the Charleston, calling tiles, building toward a hand on the card. You can start without creating an account: your first game is free, and no card details are required.
Game Length and What's Free
A free game is one hand, about a quarter of an hour. You get one free game with no account, and four more after you create a free account — five free games in total, no card required and no expiration on them.
Those five games are the full extent of free play. After that, keeping the table open — including continued single-player practice — requires a paid Social or Premium membership. A membership is also what unlocks longer sessions: four-, eight-, or sixteen-hand games, instead of the single-hand free format. Current plans and pricing are on the membership page.
What You're Actually Practicing
Single-player practice is useful for the parts of American Mah Jongg that benefit from repetition:
- Reading the card — recognizing hands and scoring.
- Calling tiles — getting comfortable with the timing of calling, without the pressure of a live group watching.
- Working the Charleston — practicing the passing sequence on your own pace.
None of this requires anyone else to be online with you.
Using Your Own Card
Friends at Mahjong is set up so you can play using its own card or your own. If you've separately purchased a National Mah Jongg League card and have it with you, you can use it as your reference while playing here — Friends at Mahjong doesn't need to provide or reproduce it for you to use it. Friends at Mahjong is an independent teaching and gaming resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the National Mah Jongg League.
When You're Ready to Play With People Again
Single-player practice and private tables with friends run through the same browser table, so moving from solo practice to a game with your regular group doesn't mean learning a second product. Current plan and pricing details for ongoing or private-table play are on the membership page.
Start a Practice Hand
If your group's next game is a while off and you want to stay sharp, start a hand against the computer on the single-player table — your first one is free, takes about fifteen minutes, and doesn't require anyone else to be free.