Gifts for Mahjong Players: What to Buy Someone Who Already Has a Set

Summary

• Under $25: 1 Bam Bookmark ($12), a stocking stuffer in eight colors.
• $50 to $100: A mahjong mat ($55 to $95) from small designers like A La Mahj, Beachy Mahj, and Let's Be Besties.
• $70 to $75: Travel Backgammon, for the player who also plays backgammon.
• $140 and up: Rocket Poker, a poker set that lives inside a rocket.
• $275 and up: A lightweight mahjong set, 160 full-size tiles at 1.6 pounds.

Buying for a mahjong player is harder than it looks. They probably already own a set. They have opinions about it, and it can be hard to know what to get them.

This guide is organized by budget, from stocking stuffers up to the big gift. Everything here is designed to delight and get more quality time with the people that matter most.

Under $25: The 1 Bam Bookmark ($12)

Every mahjong player knows the 1 bam. He's the bird on the one bamboo tile, and he usually has more personality than any other tile in the set. We turned him into a bookmark. He sits on top of the page and holds your place between games.

He comes in eight colors, including gold, pink, cobalt, and emerald. He fits in a stocking or a card, and he makes a good thank-you for the person who hosts every week.

$50 to $100: A Mahjong Mat

Mats are the gift players rarely buy for themselves. A mat quiets the table, keeps tiles from sliding, and turns any surface into a proper game table, whether that's a kitchen island or a hotel desk.

We carry limited runs from mahjong designers we like:

• Happy Go Lucky by A La Mahj ($55), a pond and lotus design.
• Black and White Seahorse by Beachy Mahj ($70), for the player who likes things understated.
• Seasonal neoprene mats by Let's Be Besties ($80 to $95), including Winter Wonderland and Halloween Happy Hour.

The Let's Be Besties mats are printed to order and ship separately, so order early if you need one by the holidays. The collaboration runs are small. When one sells out, it's usually gone.

$70 to $75: Travel Backgammon

Most mahjong groups have at least one person who also plays backgammon, usually at the beach house, and usually on a board that has seen better days. Our travel backgammon set is 3D printed in the USA like our mahjong sets and built to pack.

It comes in Blue, Pink, Alpine Green, and Galaxy for $70, and there's a USA edition for $75 with the full American flag across the board. It also works for the spouse who sits out mahjong night.

$140 and Up: Rocket Poker

It's a rocket. It's also a poker set. Pop the magnetic nose cone and the chips are inside. Every chip has a number on one side and a rocket on the other.

Rocket Poker starts at $140 for chips and tubes, or $170 with the rocket. For $50 more, the chips can be customized. It's a good pick for the person who has everything, because they don't have this.

$275 and Up: A Lightweight Mahjong Set

This is the big one. A traditional American mahjong set weighs around 14 pounds. I started Spools because my grandmother couldn't carry hers anymore.

Our tiles weigh 1.6 pounds for all 160 full-size American tiles. They're 3D printed in the USA, and they float, which matters more than you'd think once someone brings them to the pool. Tiles start at $275, and complete travel bundles with racks that split in half start at $399.

A second set is a real gift even for someone who already owns one. Many players end up keeping a heavy set at home and a light one for travel. Browse the full travel mahjong tiles collection for themes including Pool, Cabin, Nautical, and Red White and Blue. If they fly to their games, here's what to know about flying with a mahjong set.

How to Choose

If they travel, cruise, or host games away from home, get the set. If you're not sure what they already own, get a mat or the bookmark. Nobody has too many of either.

FAQ

What's a good gift for someone who just started playing mahjong?

If they don't own a set yet, that's the gift. Make sure it's an American mahjong set with jokers, since Chinese sets don't include them and won't work with the National Mah Jongg League card. If they already have a set, a mat is a safe second choice.

What do you get a mahjong player who has everything?

A mat from a small designer, a travel set to go with their home set, or something adjacent to the game, like backgammon or Rocket Poker.

Do mahjong players need a mat?

It isn't required, but most regular players use one. A mat reduces noise, protects the table, and makes tiles easier to pick up and push.

What's a good mahjong gift under $25?

The 1 Bam Bookmark, at $12.