Agree on the rules first
The single most important setup step is deciding which style you are playing. Hong Kong, Japanese, American and other rules differ enough that mixing them causes arguments. Agree on the style, the minimum hand value, how payments work and how long you will play before shuffling the first tile.
Experienced groups often keep a written sheet of house rules. It saves time and prevents a disagreement from spoiling a good evening.
The table and seats
A square table with each side between 80 and 90 centimetres suits most sets. Many players use a felt or neoprene mat to soften the noise and stop tiles sliding. Players sit one per side; seats are assigned by drawing wind tiles or simply by agreement, and East will deal first.
Good light matters more than people expect. Players need to read discards from across the table, so a well-lit room with no glare on the tiles makes the game faster and friendlier.
Checking the equipment
Count the tiles before playing, especially with a borrowed or vintage set. Check that you have two or three dice, any racks you need, and a way to keep score: chips, sticks or a pad. A wind indicator — a small marker or dial showing the round — helps everyone keep track.
For American play each player needs a current National Mah Jongg League card. For Japanese play you will need point sticks and a marker for the dealer.
Turning tiles face down
To begin, all tiles are turned face down and shuffled with both hands across the centre of the table. This "washing" of the tiles should be thorough — every player usually joins in — and should not reveal any faces. Then each player builds part of the wall in front of them, which is the next step.
