Category: Blog

Aside from people asking whether I could teach them how to play mahjong (which I do), the second most common question I get is: where do you get a mahjong set from?

And the answer to that question depends on how much you’d like to commit to mahjong itself, because I could recommend you get this set if you’re a beginner starting out — it’s got numbers on the tiles, it’s a good size (height 36mm), and honestly it’s the one I use to teach all my beginners and whenever I go out to teach.

It’s very tactile, has a good weight to it, and it won’t cost you an arm or a leg. A very good set — I would highly recommend it if you want to play without worrying too much about the Chinese characters or which direction the winds are.

But with this set, I think it’s quite limiting. Limiting in the sense that if the tiles didn’t have numbers on them, would you struggle to read them and play? Because that’s the impression I get when people are comfortable enough to play chicken hand (no points) or a 3-point minimum, but as soon as I bring out the no-number tiles, the fear and panic set in.

And I get it — these Chinese characters are completely foreign to you and maybe you think you’re not ready for that next step or that huge leap. But if you’ve been taught by me before, or have been to my beginner-only sessions or Saturday sessions, and I know you’re already comfortable playing points with numbered tiles, then more likely than not I’ll be introducing my no-number tiles to you next.

Am I being mean?

Honestly, that’s what I think people would initially think — but I know that once I’ve taught them how to recognise the characters, the winds, and the dragons, a lot of the play becomes guesswork and trial and error, and I think that’s the beauty of learning something different like mahjong.

Yes, this is a Chinese game. It originated from China and they will most definitely be using Chinese numbers, so if you want to keep up with the programme and carry on playing mahjong, then learning your 1–9 numbers in Chinese is essential — and so easy to remember once you get the hang of it.

I reckon learning your Chinese characters and wind directions is probably harder than learning the actual game of mahjong for a lot of people. Haha

But yeah, jokes aside — when you know your Chinese characters, all the winds and dragons, I promise you will feel so amazing, because that’s no easy feat. And once you do, you can quite literally play on any mahjong set, anywhere in the world.

Because a lot of the mahjong sets you’ll come across won’t have numbers on them (unless it’s American Mahjong), so if you’re already prepared to play without numbers, you can quite literally play everywhere. If you stick to your training wheels (numbered tiles), you might be very limited in where you can play and with who.

If you want to play mahjong longer term, then maybe don’t buy the above set (numbered tiles) unless you want it as a backup or starter set — because once you know the numbers by heart, you can wean yourself off them.

Pros

• Great for new beginners
• Easier to learn and play right away
• Value for money and does the job

Cons

• Not ideal for long-term playing, especially if you want to play more seriously and frequently
• Feels very beginner level
• You might struggle if you find yourself at a table with no numbers on the tiles (we never want to feel like we don’t belong — when we do)

So that’s the good and the bad of the numbered tiles. You can have a look via this link, and honestly I would recommend this set if you want to get started and want to teach your family and friends how to play. I have four sets myself and people really enjoy playing on them — not too big, not too small, just right in my opinion.

Just a reminder: if you’ve learnt from me before and loved playing on the numbered tiles, then I’d suggest picking up one of the mahjong sets below. These will really challenge you to learn and adapt as you play, and that’s what I want for all my students and for anyone who wants to learn mahjong — because mahjong is so much more than just a game.

To me, it’s about the challenge, the thought process of deciding what to keep and what to discard. A lot of what you do in mahjong is luck, risk, and strategy. Play your tiles right and you win. Build your hand based on what you pick up, and hopefully with all the right moves, you can claim your winning hand.

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Okay, back to my mahjong set recommendations. Where I buy my own sets — for the shop and for my socials — is from eBay, and more specifically, second-hand mahjong sets. That’s where I’ve been able to find some really lovely ones. I know there isn’t a direct link to those sets since they’re normally one-offs (family heirlooms, a gift from an auntie, or charity shop donations being resold), but I can tell you what to look for, and below are some sets that look pretty good.

When I was looking for mahjong sets for my mahjong club, I was specifically hunting for a nice jade green-backed set. Or just a nice green back in general — green because it feels very classic and timeless. I love it. You can find every colour of the rainbow if you wanted something more colourful, but for me, a classic jade green mahjong set is all I want and all I’ll ever need. Classic and timeless for the win.

Secondly, I look for tiles that are 38mm in height. Why 38mm, you ask? Because for me, that’s the ideal size — not too big like 42mm (feels like you’re carrying bricks when building your walls) and not too small like 30mm (or even smaller).

A word of warning when looking at mahjong sets online: make sure you check the tile height in the description first. Check they’re big enough for you, and please use a ruler if you’re unsure — because there are a lot of travel mini mahjong sets out there, and even though the photos can look like a normal-sized set, rest assured, if you don’t check, you might end up with a cute little travel set instead of a regular one. Please avoid that mistake.

But why 38mm so specifically? It’s a great size to hold and play with. Not too big and chunky, not so small that a gust of wind could blow it over. That’s the ideal size in my opinion — though I know everyone will differ.

You can also buy a 42mm set if you feel the tiles would be too hard to see at a smaller size. It still plays fine, just a little too big for me — but great for anyone with who wants to see the tiles clearer when playing.

Thirdly, try to gauge whether the tiles look in very good condition in the product listing. I know it’s hard to judge from a few photos, but you can always ask the seller for more. A lot of the time, they may have been used “once or twice” and everything still looks in good order — and yes, I would consider buying a pretty much new set if it hadn’t been played on much.

This can’t always be helped, of course. But if it looks in good condition, it’s the right size, and it’s a classic jade green back — you might have found a keeper. This approach has worked for me, and I’ve had to search for months before finding the sets I currently use at the shop. Staying patient and waiting for the right one is key.

In terms of cost, sets on eBay or Amazon may range from £40–£80 (as of May 2026). There are a lot of vintage mahjong sets out there too, mind you. I haven’t played on one myself, but from looking at photos they often look quite old and worn, and I’d much rather play on a newer set if possible.

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Okay, so you don’t have months to hunt on eBay and you want one sooner — You can buy any of the sets above currently on the market.

If you can avoid the super expensive mahjong sets from big designer brands, that would be great. A mahjong set shouldn’t cost you a fortune, unless money really is no issue — in which case, go ahead, no judgement. But just saying, some of those price tags hurt my soul a little. Mahjong shouldn’t be a luxury accessory statement — it should be about celebrating bringing people together.

I know people buy them, or else they wouldn’t keep making them. That said, the big brands are also clearly riding the mahjong trend at the moment, which is their business. But if you did want to have a look, the links below are for sets that are fancy, the right height, and the right size — so those are for anyone who can afford it and still wants to impress their mahjong guests.

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If you’ve tried everything above and still had no luck, the next option I often suggest to people is: go to Hong Kong — or find someone who’s going there. I know it sounds like a long way to go to buy a mahjong set, but hear me out.

In Hong Kong, there are many shops that sell really good mass-produced mahjong sets — the right height, no numbers, and very solid. There are also specialist mahjong shops in HK, although not as many as there used to be. The craft of mahjong carving is slowly dying out as shops close for new developments or owners decide to retire or step away from the profession.

So why buy from HK? Honestly, it’s one of the only places I can think of — along with parts of China — where you can find the mahjong set of your dreams. There are many different coloured backing sets to choose from, and depending on what you’re after, I’m sure you’ll find it there. If you have a friend going, or you’re planning a trip to HK yourself, do look out for the specialist mahjong shops.

The very first thing I did when I got to HK two and a half years ago was go and check out the specialist mahjong shops. There was one thing I was particularly looking for: a hand-crafted mahjong set. Yes, hand-crafted — because honestly, why not? I loved mahjong so much and I knew I wouldn’t be back in HK any time soon, and I really, really wanted a beautiful set to play with family and friends.

So that first evening, I made my way to Kam Fat Mahjong on 2 Bulkeley St, Hung Hom, Hong Kong. I had Googled a ton of mahjong shops beforehand because I wanted to visit as many as I could — can you tell how mahjong-obsessed I was back then?

And I was like, “Where’s the nearest bank?!” There’s something about wanting something so badly and seeing how beautiful it is up close — even if some tiles don’t line up perfectly, you know it was made by hand, and you know you could never craft 144 tiles in 20 hours the way these craftsmen and women do.

Fun fact: this shop is home to the last female mahjong carver in Hong Kong.

Don’t they look beautiful?

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So why am I telling you all of this? Well, if you want a good-quality manufactured mahjong set, you can probably find good one in HK for around £70–£100 (750–1,070 HKD). And if you want a truly special hand-crafted one, you could be looking at £400 or so — though don’t quote me on current prices. When I was there two and a half years ago, I paid around £300 for mine.

Why tell you this? Only because there are so many beautiful mahjong sets out there if you really want one. Don’t just settle for the not-so-great ones on Amazon or eBay if you can wait. It’s definitely worth the investment if you want to play long-term, because like anything you love, you’d hope to keep it forever and play on it endlessly — not just sell it after two or three games. I know a lot of games end up like that, but not mahjong.

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So, to summarise this very long blog post on where to buy a mahjong set:

First, make sure the tiles are 36–40mm in height. Anything smaller might feel fiddly, unless you don’t mind a compact set.

Second, you can find a decent standard set on Amazon or eBay via the links above. They might not be as beautiful as the ones described above, but they’re the right size, they do the job, and they’re great tiles to play on.

Third, if you know someone from HK or China who can pick one up for you, let them know what you’re looking for and I’m sure they can bring it back or ship it over. Best to get photos of the actual set before purchase so you can double-check it’s the right one.

And lastly, if you want something really special, skip the overpriced designer sets and try to find a hand-crafted mahjong set from one of the last few specialist shops in HK. I promise it won’t just be your favourite purchase — it’ll be an absolute joy to play on and to share with your family and friends.

And let’s not forget what mahjong is really all about: the coming together of people from all walks of life, in a space where luck and strategy sit at the heart of every decision you make around that table.

Thanks so much for reading all the way to the end — I hope the links above help you find the perfect set for yourself or for someone you love.

David

P.S. Avoid American Mahjong sets. They play a very different type of mahjong there — completely different from the mahjong we teach here (HK Old Style): racks, jokers, and all. Not needed, in my humble opinion.

So you’ve just learnt how to play mahjong, and now you’re hooked. You truly see mahjong as a long-term thing — not just a trendy game that everyone seems to be playing right now. Or maybe you have a group of friends you’d love to invite over for a night of fun, socialising, and mahjong. Having a nice, comfortable table is quite important — not only because it makes the game quicker and more efficient (having a table with a barrier lets you build your wall faster), but because it’s comfortable for everyone to settle in, chill, and relax too.

Should you buy a mahjong table? The simple answer is yes, if you want to play mahjong regularly and long-term — and no, if you’re only planning to play once or twice a year with family and friends on special occasions. Because some of the tables, I’ll be discussing below are not light, and having somewhere to store one at home is a must before you commit to buying. So before purchasing a table, do consider whether you actually need one, or whether a square table and a mahjong mat is more than enough of a set-up for you — because honestly, that’s all you really need to play mahjong anyway.

But before you even think about buying a mahjong table, do you actually want to play mahjong? After speaking to many people I’ve taught, they see mahjong as something similar to bridge — a great pastime to enjoy with friends and family as they get older. And honestly, that’s what mahjong means to a lot of Asian people in general. Not only do we see it as a kind of brain-training game that can help delay the onset of dementia, but it also requires continuous strategic thinking, memory recall, and quick reaction times.

Add in the social side of things, and it’s no wonder that people young and old have witnessed the rise of mahjong in recent years as a global phenomenon — one that has caused some mixed reactions from grassroots communities who have always felt that mahjong is deeply tied to their cultural identity and legacy, rather than something for others to profit from.

My own thoughts on the matter are pretty neutral. I love that mahjong is bringing people from all walks of life together around a table to play and connect with one another. And there are so many wonderful variations of the game — Japan has Riichi, there’s Malaysian mahjong, Filipino mahjong, every region in China has its own styles and variations, and then there’s American mahjong too.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that, like matcha lattes, mahjong is here to stay for many years and decades to come. People have finally caught on to the mahjong wind, and I’m all for it.

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Okay, back to the reason you’re here reading this blog post. Should you buy a mahjong table? Yes and no — it really depends on how long-term or short-term your mahjong plans are. But please, play mahjong first. Learn how to play, see if you like it before committing to a table. I know that might sound obvious, but I would much rather give you that warning than have you impulse-buy a beautiful mahjong set and table that sits untouched for years on end.

You can learn how to play online (YouTube tutorials are great), or you can visit Four Winds Mahjong, a community-run group that runs sessions at the Dalston ESEA Community Centre and the Camden Chinese Community Centre (that’s actually where I learnt to play). Or if you’d like to learn from me at my shop Sik Faan, we run All New Beginner-Only sessions and sessions on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month — we have beginner spots available there too (find our sessions here). Private sessions can also be arranged. You can email us at sikfaanuk@gmail.com to find out more.

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Okay, let’s assume you’ve played mahjong before, you love it, you’re hooked — and you’ve got your friends hooked too. Now you want to host your own mahjong night: some dinner, good chat, and a proper session. When it comes to choosing your set-up, I’ll take you from the least expensive to the most extravagant option (technology in the mahjong table space has come a long way recently).

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Free / Cheapest Set-Up / Least Effort

The cheapest and most cost-efficient way to play mahjong is to have a square table, four chairs, and a tablecloth to cover the surface — and there you have it, a perfectly good mahjong set-up. No frills, no fuss. Just a table and chairs, and honestly that’s all you really need. The most expensive thing will be your mahjong set, and you can read my thoughts on how to find a good one here.

If you wanted to splash a little cash on this set-up, you could pick up a mahjong mat. The material makes for a nicer playing surface, and if you have a good table, the mat will also protect it from all the shuffling and clattering of tiles. I recommend a plain green mat like the one below — there are cheaper mats out there with lots of patterns and designs on them, but for me those are a little distracting. A plain green or blue mat is easy on the eyes, and honestly it looks a lot classier too.

Another benefit of a mat is that it rolls up and can be stored in a small space, so it won’t take up much room. If you’re already tight on space, this set-up is ideal. And if you wanted to play mahjong in the park or at a café, you can just bring your mat and your set and play pretty much anywhere you like — or anywhere that’ll put up with how noisy mahjong can get, because we all know it’s not a quiet game.

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Portable Mahjong Table

This is honestly one of my favourite options — the portable mahjong table. I’ve bought two of these myself so I can go and play with people who don’t have a square table at home. The set-up is pretty straightforward: unfold the table, lock it in, attach the detachable leg, lift it up, lay down the included mahjong mat, and you’re ready to play.

It’s not too expensive, it’s portable, it folds up, it has the barrier edges I really love (they help people build their walls straighter and more efficiently), and it’s a great size for mahjong. It is on the heavier side — definitely not light — but it folds down nicely and can fit into tighter spaces. Just bear in mind it’s about 10cm deep when folded.

The mat that comes with this table is similar to what I mentioned above. You can choose between a plain mat or a patterned one — the patterned version is usually a little cheaper, but in my experience it can be a bit distracting when you’re trying to focus on your tiles. So if you can, I’d go for the plain mat version. Clean, clear, all focus on the mahjong at hand. But that’s just my opinion — go for whatever takes your fancy.

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Foldable Tabletop

If you already have a square table and just want to add barrier edges for mahjong, this foldable tabletop is my pick. It does exactly what it says on the tin: it’s a foldable mahjong tabletop that you open out and place on any square table, and off you go.

It is a little more expensive than the portable mahjong table, but if you’re even tighter on space, this is a really good option. It’s a good size but maybe a little small for my liking, it does come with handles so you can carry it anywhere — and it’s not too heavy either. A smart choice for anyone who wants to maximise their space.

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Full Traditional Mahjong Table

This is one of the more expensive options, and if you truly want to play mahjong for the rest of your life, this is the one for you. It folds up, it has all the barrier edges, it’s very sturdy, and some even come with cup holders for your drinks — hot or cold. It really is everything you need in a mahjong table.

There is one small thing I’m not keen on with this particular table, and it sets it apart from similar ones: the playing surface is a little slippery. Tiles you discard can end up sliding across the table. It’s a minor point, but worth knowing — a felt surface tends to work better for flicking tiles and handling them in general (I hope that makes sense). Also worth noting: although it folds, the legs are fixed rather than detachable, so you’ll need a decent amount of storage space to keep it safely out of the way.

Growing up and visiting my granny, we used to eat on top of the mahjong table — tablecloth on, of course — so it doubled as a dining table. Pretty multi-functional, right? That could be your option too if you’re after a mahjong table that also works as a dining table.

It’s great for long-term use and it looks the part. If I had more space, I’d get this one too. It can be a little pricey, but I’m sure you could find it cheaper on some of the Chinese import websites, so it’s worth shopping around before you buy. I’ve included links via eBay above, as I feel you can trust them to look after their customers here in the UK.

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Automatic Mahjong Tables

Next up are the super fancy automatic mahjong tables — some of you may have seen these on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube. Yes, automatic mahjong tables are a thing now. With the press of a button, they build your walls for you in record time. Have I played on one? No, I haven’t — not even when I was visiting my uncle in China two and a half years ago. Partly because I never got the chance, but honestly, I also have no real desire to either.

But why?

For me personally, building your wall as quickly as you can is part of the fun. Taking that away makes sense if you want to speed up the game — if you’ve just lost, you want to jump straight back in. But the washing of the tiles, the building of the wall, the sounds, the post-game analysis between rounds — that’s what makes mahjong so social and enjoyable for me.

As someone who plays mahjong for fun and socialising rather than gambling, I see no reason to rush into the next game. If anything, I’d encourage people even more to go for one of the traditional tables above — you still get the fun of building your walls, and you won’t be spending a lot of money on something that takes up a huge amount of storage space. Because these tables are big.

That said, if you do want to play mahjong long-term and you’d rather not build your own walls, then go for it — this table will have a new set of tiles ready for you in seconds.

Here’s how it works: there are two sets of mahjong tiles built into the table. While you’re playing on the first set, the second set is already being assembled below. Once your game ends and you drop all the tiles back through the hole in the middle to be collected and shuffled, the second set simply rises up automatically. It’s pretty amazing when you see it in action.

But again — super expensive, super fancy, and not something you really need. There’s a market for everything though.

Call me old school, but I love building my own wall and racing my friends and family to finish first. That little competition is part of my fun, part of the mahjong experience.

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Portable Mini Automatic Mahjong Table

This is a newer one — I’ve only recently started seeing it advertised on my Instagram feed. It’s a portable, travel-sized automatic mahjong tabletop, and from the photos and videos, it looks genuinely impressive. I haven’t had the chance to play on one yet, but from what I’ve seen, here’s how it works:

It has one set of mahjong tiles built in. The tabletop deals each player their starting tiles automatically, gives the dealer their extra piece, and then draws one tile per turn for whoever is picking up.

A few thoughts on this one. First, it’s a clever piece of kit — no need for anyone to wash the tiles or deal them out, the machine handles all of that. You do still need to pick up your tiles manually though. It’s also not cheap, so don’t buy it if you don’t think you’ll be playing mahjong very often.

Second, it’s portable and has everything you need to play mahjong pretty much anywhere — parks, town halls, community centres, tight spaces. You do have to carry it around, but at least mahjong can go wherever you go.

Third, if you want to play classic Hong Kong mahjong, I’d suggest sticking with the traditional tables above. For me, washing the tiles and building the wall is a sacred part of the mahjong ritual.

And lastly, as clever as this table is, I genuinely don’t think it’s worth the investment for most people. You can pick up a great mahjong set and a traditional table for a fraction of the price. But if you have the money and want to treat yourself, go for it.

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Make Your Own

And the last option is… make it yourself!

You might be thinking, what on earth is David on about?! Well, if you don’t want to buy any of the tables or tabletops above, why not build your own? That’s exactly what I did for my shop. I had my builder make a number of mahjong tabletops that I can slide into my coat room and pull out whenever I need them, placing them on top of my regular square tables.

Honestly, if you’re handy with wood — or you know someone who is — I’d really recommend it. It might cost a bit for the materials from your local builders’ merchant, but it is so worth it for a sturdy, long-lasting tabletop made exactly to your specs.

Mine are 83cm by 83cm, with a 3cm barrier around the inner square (80cm by 80cm), so people can line their tiles up straight and neat. I bought green felt from Amazon for the surface — felt is great because tiles don’t slide around too easily when discarded, and the walls hold up well on it.

The pros of building your own: you get it made exactly how you want it, you can place it on any square table to instantly turn it into a mahjong table, and it’ll likely be cheaper and sturdier for long-term use than most shop-bought options.

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Summary

There are so many mahjong table options out there — it really comes down to how much you want to commit. If you want to spend less, a simple square table and tablecloth does the job just fine (save money, have fun). If you want something a bit more established, the traditional, portable mahjong table or the foldable tabletop are both solid choices. If you want to go all out, the automatic mahjong table is there for you — less time building walls, more time playing. And if you’re a little crazy like me, why not just build your own? You can make it whatever size you like — big, small, or in between. Flexible, adaptable, and creative. Everything mahjong is.

My recommended options, in order of preference:

1. Portable Mahjong Table
2. DIY (square table and tablecloth)
3. Build Your Own Mahjong Tabletop
4. Portable Mahjong Tabletop
5. Traditional Mahjong Table
6. Automatic Mahjong Table & Portable Automatic Table

Hopefully this has been helpful! I haven’t personally tried the two automatic mahjong table options, but from what I’ve seen they each have their good and bad points — and the bad points, for me, come down to what I think gets lost when you take away the traditional way of playing.

I’ve included links to each option discussed, but feel free to explore further and do your own research. Ask around too — there are lots of options out there, and how much time and money you want to invest in mahjong will be the biggest factor in your decision. I just hope I’ve been of some help.

Thanks so much for reading.

David