# MahjongCompare

> MahjongCompare is a comprehensive resource for mahjong players, offering product comparisons, teacher directories, club finders, and educational content for American mahjong (NMJL) and other variants.

## About

MahjongCompare helps players find the right mahjong set, learn the game, find teachers and clubs, and connect with the mahjong community. We provide unbiased product comparisons, educational guides, and the largest directory of mahjong teachers in the United States.

## Services

- **Product Comparisons**: Reviews and comparisons of mahjong sets from brands like Oh My Mahjong, The Mahjong Line, Yellow Mountain Imports, and more
- **Teacher Directory**: Find mahjong instructors by location, with information on pricing, teaching style, and certifications
- **Club & Venue Finder**: Locate mahjong clubs, groups, and venues near you
- **Educational Content**: Learn to play American mahjong, understand rules, and improve your strategy

## Markdown Documentation

For detailed information, see our markdown pages:

### Main Pages
- [Home](/index.md) - Overview of MahjongCompare
- [Teachers Directory](/teachers.md) - How to find a mahjong teacher, costs, what to look for
- [Teacher Certifications](/certification-programs.md) - Compare Mahji Mentor, The Flutter, I Love Mahj
- [Mahjong Sets](/sets.md) - Product buying guide and comparisons
- [Get Started](/get-started.md) - Quick start guide with recommended sets by budget
- [Clubs & Venues](/venues.md) - Finding mahjong clubs and play locations
- [Play Online](/play-online.md) - Online mahjong platforms comparison
- [Mahjong Time Review](/mahjong-time-review.md) - Detailed platform review

### Educational Content
- [Learn Mahjong](/learn.md) - Learning hub and path
- [NMJL Card Guide](/nmjl-card.md) - Complete guide to the official American Mahjong card
- [How to Read the NMJL Card](/nmjl-card/how-to-read.md) - Notation and symbols explained
- [NMJL Card Categories](/nmjl-card/categories.md) - All hand categories with tips
- [NMJL Card Strategy](/nmjl-card/strategy.md) - Tips for choosing and playing hands
- [NMJL Card FAQ](/nmjl-card/faq.md) - 24 common questions answered
- [How to Play Mahjong](/learn/how-to-play-mahjong.md) - Complete beginner's guide
- [Mahjong Rules](/learn/mahjong-rules.md) - Official NMJL rules explained
- [Beginner's Guide](/learn/beginners.md) - Getting started with American mahjong
- [Mahjong Tiles Explained](/learn/tiles.md) - Understanding tile suits and honors
- [Glossary](/glossary.md) - 100+ mahjong terms defined
- [History of Mahjong](/history.md) - From 1850s China to today

### Buying Guides
- [How to Choose a Mahjong Set](/learn/how-to-choose-a-mahjong-set.md) - Complete buying guide
- [Accessories Guide](/accessories.md) - Racks, pushers, mats, and more
- [Used & Vintage Sets Hub](/sets/used.md) - Finding quality pre-owned mahjong sets
- [Used Sets Buying Guide](/sets/used/buying-guide.md) - What to look for, price ranges, red flags
- [Where to Buy Used Sets](/sets/used/where-to-buy.md) - eBay, Etsy, estate sales, thrift stores
- [Vintage Set Authentication](/sets/used/authentication.md) - How to identify Bakelite, spot fakes, date sets
- [Mahjong Replacement Tiles](/sets/used/replacement-tiles.md) - Finding missing tiles for your set

### Game Styles
- [Mahjong Styles](/styles.md) - American, Riichi, Hong Kong, and other variants

## Key Pages (HTML)

### Product Resources
- [Mahjong Sets](https://mahjongcompare.com/sets) - Browse all mahjong sets
- [Budget Sets](https://mahjongcompare.com/sets/budget) - Sets under $100
- [Mid-Range Sets](https://mahjongcompare.com/sets/mid-range) - $100-200 range
- [Premium Sets](https://mahjongcompare.com/sets/premium) - $200-400 range
- [Luxury Sets](https://mahjongcompare.com/sets/luxury) - $400+ premium sets
- [Used & Vintage Sets](https://mahjongcompare.com/sets/used) - Pre-owned and vintage mahjong sets
- [Used Sets Buying Guide](https://mahjongcompare.com/sets/used/buying-guide) - Complete guide to buying used
- [Where to Buy Used Sets](https://mahjongcompare.com/sets/used/where-to-buy) - Marketplace comparison
- [Vintage Set Authentication](https://mahjongcompare.com/sets/used/authentication) - Dating and identifying sets
- [Replacement Tiles](https://mahjongcompare.com/sets/used/replacement-tiles) - Finding missing tiles
- [Accessories](https://mahjongcompare.com/accessories) - Racks, mats, and more
- [Brands](https://mahjongcompare.com/brands) - Compare mahjong brands

### Community
- [Find a Teacher](https://mahjongcompare.com/teachers) - Teacher directory
- [Teacher Certifications](https://mahjongcompare.com/teachers/certification-programs) - Mahji Mentor, The Flutter, I Love Mahj
- [Clubs & Venues](https://mahjongcompare.com/venues) - Find local mahjong clubs
- [Events](https://mahjongcompare.com/events) - Tournaments and conventions
- [Organizations](https://mahjongcompare.com/organizations) - NMJL and federations

### Learning
- [Learn to Play](https://mahjongcompare.com/learn) - Educational hub
- [NMJL Card Guide](https://mahjongcompare.com/nmjl-card) - Essential guide to the American Mahjong card
- [How to Read NMJL Card](https://mahjongcompare.com/nmjl-card/how-to-read) - Notation and symbols
- [NMJL Card Categories](https://mahjongcompare.com/nmjl-card/categories) - All hand categories
- [NMJL Card Strategy](https://mahjongcompare.com/nmjl-card/strategy) - Tips for choosing hands
- [NMJL Card FAQ](https://mahjongcompare.com/nmjl-card/faq) - 24 questions answered
- [How to Play Mahjong](https://mahjongcompare.com/learn/how-to-play-mahjong) - Step-by-step guide
- [Mahjong Rules](https://mahjongcompare.com/learn/mahjong-rules) - Complete rules reference
- [Beginner's Guide](https://mahjongcompare.com/learn/beginners) - Start here
- [Mahjong Styles](https://mahjongcompare.com/styles) - Game variants explained
- [Glossary](https://mahjongcompare.com/glossary) - 100+ terms
- [History](https://mahjongcompare.com/history) - Origins and evolution

### Tools
- [Tile Flashcards](https://mahjongcompare.com/quiz) - Practice tile recognition
- [Hand Builder](https://mahjongcompare.com/tools/hand-builder) - Build and learn hands

## Mahjong Teacher Information

### Typical Lesson Costs
| Format | Price Range |
|--------|-------------|
| Private (1-on-1) | $50-70/hour |
| Small Group (4-6) | $25-40/person/hour |
| Large Group (7+) | $20-30/person/hour |
| Series Package (4-5 sessions) | $175-400 total |

### Timeline to Learn
- Typical beginner course: 4-10 sessions
- Session length: 1-2.5 hours each
- Total time to learn basics: 8-20 hours
- Time to feel confident: 3-6 months of regular play after lessons

### Teacher Certifications
- **Mahji Mentor** (Oh My Mahjong) - Comprehensive training program
- **The Flutter** (Southern Sparrow) - Instructor certification
- **I Love Mahj Listed** - Directory listing
- **NMJL Member** - National Mah Jongg League membership
- **Self-Taught** - Many excellent teachers are self-taught

## Product Price Ranges

| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Premium | Luxury |
|----------|--------|-----------|---------|--------|
| Complete Sets | Under $100 | $100-200 | $200-400 | $400+ |
| Tile Racks | $30-50 | $50-80 | $80-150 | $150+ |
| Table Mats | $25-40 | $40-60 | $60-100 | $100+ |

## Used & Vintage Mahjong Sets

### Typical Price Ranges for Used Sets
| Set Type | Condition | Price Range |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| Thrift Store Find | Variable | $20-50 |
| Modern Used (5-10 years) | Good | $50-100 |
| Standard Vintage (1950s-70s) | Good | $100-200 |
| Bakelite/Catalin (1920s-40s) | Good | $200-400 |
| Bakelite with Original Case | Excellent | $400-800 |
| Enrobed Bakelite (Two-Tone) | Excellent | $600-1,500 |
| Rare/Museum Quality | Exceptional | $1,000-5,000+ |

### Tile Counts by Game Style
- **American Mahjong (NMJL)**: 152 tiles minimum (108 suits + 16 winds + 12 dragons + 8 flowers + 8 jokers)
- **Chinese Mahjong**: 144 tiles (no jokers)
- **Japanese Riichi**: 136 tiles (no flowers or jokers)

### Where to Buy Used Mahjong Sets
- **eBay**: Largest selection, strong buyer protection, $30-5,000+
- **Etsy**: Curated vintage selection, $100-2,500
- **Facebook Marketplace**: Local deals, $20-200, inspect before buying
- **Estate Sales**: Best deals, $20-300, via EstateSales.org
- **Thrift Stores**: Budget finds, $10-50, requires patience

### How to Identify Bakelite Tiles
1. **Hot Water Test**: Run hot water over tile, smell for formaldehyde/carbolic odor
2. **Simichrome Test**: Metal polish turns yellow on Bakelite
3. **Sound Test**: Bakelite makes deep "clunk" vs plastic "click"
4. **Weight Test**: Bakelite is noticeably heavier than modern plastic

## Contact

- Website: https://mahjongcompare.com
- For teacher listings: https://mahjongcompare.com/teachers/get-listed
- For club submissions: https://mahjongcompare.com/clubs/submit-club

## Legal

- [Terms of Service](https://mahjongcompare.com/terms)
- [Privacy Policy](https://mahjongcompare.com/privacy)
- [Affiliate Disclosure](https://mahjongcompare.com/disclosure)

MahjongCompare is an independent resource. We earn commissions from affiliate links but maintain editorial independence. Our recommendations are based on research and community feedback, not advertiser relationships.

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*Last updated: January 2026*