What Is a Riichi Mahjong Table?

A Riichi Mahjong table is a square, felt-covered surface designed for the four-player Japanese variant of Mahjong. It prevents tiles from sliding and often includes trays for scoring sticks and chips.

In Japanese Mahjong parlors, dedicated tables are the norm. At home, enthusiasts may invest in folding manual tables, though many casual players still use dining or card tables with covers.

Automatic Riichi Mahjong Tables

Automatic tables are standard in Mahjong parlors. With the press of a button, they shuffle tiles internally and build fresh walls in under 30 seconds. These require machine-compatible magnetized tiles, usually included with the table.

Manual Riichi Mahjong Tables

Manual tables provide a stable, professional surface without automatic shuffling. Folding models are compact and great for apartments, while fixed-leg types offer more stability for frequent play. They work with standard 26–28 mm urea resin tiles.

How to Choose the Right Riichi Mahjong Table for Your Needs

Choosing depends on your style of play:

• Casual home players: Folding manual tables are affordable and space-saving.
• Serious hobbyists: Premium manual or entry-level automatic models.
• Clubs and tournaments: Automatic tables are almost essential.

In the U.S., automatic tables require a step-down transformer (100V → 120V). Noise during shuffling is normal but brief.

Price Ranges and What to Expect

Manual tables: Affordable, with folding models on the lower end and premium fixed types costing more.

Automatic tables: A major investment. New units cost $1,200–$2,500 in Japan. Second-hand models can be much cheaper but often need maintenance. All include machine-compatible tiles.