Play mahjong online with friends at a private table
Reviewed by Jayesh, Admin · Last updated 27 October 2026
When your group can't meet, you can still play together. A private table on Mahjong Dubai is a game only the people you invite can join. It is free, it runs in the browser, and you choose the rules: Classic Taiwanese 16-tile or the Dubai house rules.
How to set up a private table
- Open the table. Go to play.mahjongdubai.com and choose Private table. You need to be signed in to open a new table.
- Invite your friends. The table has a six-letter room code. Copy the code, copy the invite link, or send the link straight to WhatsApp. If a friend is signed in and online, you can also invite them to a seat from the lobby.
- Your friends join. They open the link, or choose Join by code and type the code. Joining doesn't need an account, only a display name.
- Fill the empty seats. A game needs four players. If you are short, the host can put an AI player in an empty seat, up to two AI players at a table.
- Choose your rules and start. The host picks the rules and the other settings. When all four seats are full, the host presses Start Game.
What the host can choose
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Rules | Standard or Advanced (the Dubai house rules, scored in points), or Classic Taiwanese (scored in tai) |
| Turn and call timers | How long each player has to take a turn, and to claim a discard |
| Rounds | How many rounds the game lasts |
| AI players | Who fills an empty seat, and at what difficulty |
| Coach | Hints for every player after each hand, to help everyone learn the scoring |
| Voice chat | Lets seated players talk. Everyone joins muted |
The four seats
The seats are named after the four winds: East, South, West and North. In the game, the dealer sits East.
If someone steps away
Before the game starts, the table waits for you. If the host leaves the lobby, the table stays open, and Private table waiting appears on the home screen with a button to return. Only the host can close the table for good. A friend who is waiting for the host can leave the lobby and be told when the game starts.
Frequently asked questions
Do my friends need an account to join?
No. They join with the link or the six-letter code and a display name. Only the host needs to sign in, to open the table.
Can we play with three people?
Yes. The host can put an AI player in the empty seat. A table can have up to two AI players, so you need at least two people.
Which rules can we play?
The host chooses Standard or Advanced (the Dubai house rules) or Classic Taiwanese before the game starts.
Is it free to play mahjong with friends online?
Yes. Opening a private table and playing with friends is free, in your browser, with no download.
Can we talk while we play?
Yes. The host can turn on voice chat at the table. Everyone joins muted and unmutes to speak.