Choose your set
American or Chinese Mahjong: Which Set Do You Need?
Choose equipment for the version your group plays, with attention to jokers, tile markings and the rules you plan to learn.
Buy for the game you intend to join. “Mahjong” describes a family of games, and a beautiful set can still be the wrong purchase if its pieces do not support your group's version.
Ask one question before shopping
“What rules and card do you use?” is more useful than “Do you play mahjong?” American games commonly use a published hand card and jokers. Other variants use different scoring systems and may require different tile features. “Chinese mahjong” also covers more than one ruleset.
Write down the answer, including the card publisher if relevant. Take it to a teacher or knowledgeable seller when checking an unfamiliar set. Do not assume a listing's “universal” claim settles compatibility.
Examine the pieces that differ
Photographs should make it possible to identify jokers, flowers and any special markings needed for the chosen game. Numbered flowers, for example, can matter in a version where those identities have a function. Decorative American flowers may not provide the same information.
An oversized tile can also change the practical fit of racks, mats and tables. Equipment compatibility includes both the rules and the dimensions.
Switching versions later
Keep separate inventories and rule references. Mixing the most familiar rule from each version creates confusion for guests. If a set can support both games, record which pieces are set aside for each one.
Café Mahjong's collection focuses on American sets. Choose it because that is the game you want at your table, then confirm the exact contents of the design you like. You do not need to learn every variant before enjoying one.
Further reading: Identifying a mahjong variant.