How to Practice American Mah Jongg Online Between Games
You can practice American Mah Jongg online between in-person games by playing in your browser against computer-controlled opponents and using faster practice modes that do not require organizing a full table.
Practice American Mah Jongg online between games
If you already play American Mah Jongg with a regular group, you may still want extra practice when you have a spare hour and no one else is free.
Friends at Mahjong is a browser-based platform for playing and learning American Mah Jongg. It is designed for:
- Existing players who want solo practice
- New players who are learning the game and want to build confidence
Organizers can try the digital table before inviting friends.
You can start playing directly in your browser without creating an account or purchasing a subscription.
Start with free solo games
To make it easy to try, Friends at Mahjong offers:
- 1 free game without an account
- 4 additional free games after you create an account
- 5 free games in total, with no expiration
- No credit card required for your free games
Your first game does not require an account. An account is required only when you want to continue past that first game.
Free games are one hand long, which is about a quarter of an hour. Once you become a member, you can play longer four-hand, eight-hand and sixteen-hand games.
Single-player practice: play against the computer
The single-player mode lets you practice American Mah Jongg against three computer-controlled opponents.
This is useful when:
- Your regular group cannot meet this week
- You want to practice playing with a card
- You want to stay comfortable with gameplay and scoring
Because the game runs in your browser, you do not need to install anything or coordinate schedules with other people to get a full game in.
Quick Practice for shorter sessions
Sometimes you do not want to commit to a full game but still want to work on your skills.
Friends at Mahjong includes Quick Practice, a faster practice environment for players who want to work on their game without committing to a normal multiplayer session.
Quick Practice is positioned for short windows of time between other commitments.
It complements full single-player games by giving you another way to practice when you have less time.
Learn as you practice
If you are still learning American Mah Jongg, Friends at Mahjong includes instructional content alongside play.
Topics include:
- Understanding the tiles
- Reading the card
- The Charleston
- Calling tiles
- Joker rules
- Scoring
- Gameplay fundamentals
There is also a guided onboarding tour that introduces new players to the interface and basic gameplay so they can get comfortable before or while they practice.
Friends at Mahjong is primarily positioned as a place to practice and play. For more structured lessons, it directs players to Mahjong Academy, while keeping its own how-to chapters and tour available.
Use a supported card while you practice
When you practice online, you can use FAM's own card or an NMJL card you purchased separately as a personal reference.
In single-player setup, Friends at Mahjong currently offers:
- A Friends at Mahjong card with 51 hands
- An option for players who have the 2026 National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) card with 57 hands in front of them
If you have separately purchased an NMJL card, you can use it as your personal reference while playing.
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.
Friends at Mahjong does not sell the League’s card, and you do not need an account with the League to play.
When you are ready, move from practice to play with friends
Practicing alone is one part of staying sharp. The other is playing with your group.
Friends at Mahjong supports private online tables. Depending on membership level, you can:
- Join a private table
- Host a private table (with the right membership level)
- Invite friends using a link
- Use chat and voice communication where available
Your membership determines what you can do — from unlimited games to joining and hosting private tables, inviting friends, and customizing your table with themes and seasonal designs.
The Shop is separate from membership and focuses on how your table looks. It offers digital cosmetic items like tile sets, mats, and racks. Purchases are tied to your account so they can be available when you sign in and play, and Shop items are bought once and usable on every table you play at both Friends at Mahjong and Mahjong Lexington.
A simple way to keep your game sharp
If you want to keep improving between in-person games:
- Open Friends at Mahjong in your browser
- Play your first free single-player game without an account
- Create an account to unlock your remaining free games when you are ready
- Use Quick Practice when you only have a short window
- Explore memberships if you want longer games, more frequent play, or private tables with friends
You keep playing the same American Mah Jongg you already enjoy, with a digital table you can make your own, and a path from solo practice to full games with your group.