How long does a game of mahjong take?
Once players know the game, a hand of American mahjong takes about 10 minutes. Beginners take longer, which is normal. Most groups play several hands in a session.
Experienced players
Around ten minutes a hand, sometimes less.
Beginners
Expect longer while you learn to read the card and choose a hand. Speed comes with practice.
A mahj night
Groups usually play several hands, keeping a running score.
What slows a hand down
Choosing a hand from the card, long pauses before discarding, and debating calls. Thinking during other players' turns is the easiest way to speed up.
Wall games
Sometimes nobody wins before the wall runs out. That hand is a wall game: nobody pays, the tiles are reshuffled and the next hand starts.
Common questions
How many hands are in a game of mahjong?
There's no fixed number. Most groups play hands until their time is up, keeping a running score.
How long is a typical mahj night?
Many groups play for two to three hours.
Why do beginners take longer?
Reading the card and choosing a hand takes time at first. Both get quicker with a few weeks of play.