Start with your people
Mahjong is social, so the most important question is who you will play with. If your family plays Cantonese style, learn that. If your local synagogue or community centre runs American Mah Jongg, start there. If your friends play online riichi, join them.
If you are starting fresh in the United States
American Mah Jongg has the largest in-person community, with classes and open play in most cities. Riichi has strong online communities and growing clubs, especially around universities.
If you love competition
Riichi offers ranked online ladders and professional leagues. MCR offers international tournaments with a long list of patterns to master. Both reward study.
You can learn more than one
Many players learn a second style after a year or two. The tiles and basic rhythm transfer; only the winning conditions and scoring change.
