Mahjong Titans American Mahjong Card Strategy
Card strategy is the heart of American Mahjong. The strongest beginner choice is usually the hand that your current tiles already support.
Choose from strength, not hope
Do not pick a hand only because it looks interesting. Count what you already have: natural pairs, repeated numbers, flowers, dragons and jokers.
A realistic target usually has multiple tiles already in place before the Charleston starts.
Use the Charleston to narrow
The Charleston should remove tiles that do not support your best target or backup target.
After each pass, compare the new tiles with your card again. A good received tile can make a different hand stronger.
Know when to pivot
If your hand is missing too many natural pairs or relies on jokers for pairs, pivot early.
Beginner strategy improves when you stop forcing a weak target and move to the hand your tiles actually support.
FAQ
Should I choose a hand before the Charleston?
Choose a likely direction, but stay flexible enough to pivot after new tiles arrive.
Are jokers always good?
They are powerful for groups, but they cannot fix pair-heavy hands.