Canasta Supplies: Shop Our Favorites
These are the supplies we teach with. We earn a small commission from products purchased on amazon when you use our links below. At a minimum, your group will need two decks of cards and a piece of paper and pencil for scoring.
TIP: Buy one that rotates and holds two decks
Organize all of your cards in once place. Remember, when you pick the pack you’ll end up with a lot of cards!
This is the quietest automatic shuffler we tested. It’s not perfect, but better than alternatives. TIP: shuffle two decks of cards 7-9 times
We don’t teach with this set, but we have had lots of students who have bought this and have been happy. It includes two decks of canasta cards, a revolving tray, and a basic scorecard.
Canasta Set
You do not need canasta cards to play, but some players like them because they tell you the point values on the card. TIP: When playing Modern American Canasta, ignore the point values on the 3's. This is from an older variation.
Automatic Card Dealer
This is so not necessary but it’s so fun and will be the hit of the canasta game. The automatic card dealer does not have to be specific to canasta. Set it to how many cards you would like to deal and the direction, press a button, and it will do the rest.
Mah Jongg Supplies
Mahji Mamas
Mahjong themed cups, napkins, coasters and other goods for your next mahjong party. Use code canastaconnection for 10% off your purchase.
NMJL Card
Purchase directly through the NMJL. We recommend the large size. The new card comes out every year in April.
American Mahjong Set
Basic American Mahjong set, perfect for beginners and an inexpensive set.
Menschie Mahjong
The cutest Jewish-themed American Mah Jongg tiles. We’d love for you to use our affiliate link, as we will earn a small commission with no additional cost to you.
Bam Bird Boutique
These tiles are beautiful and are always popular when we teach with them.
Peace Love Mahjong
Mahjong tiles and accessories. Use code canastaconnection for 10% off your purchase or 5% off a bundle.
My Fair Mahjong
Mahjong tiles and accessories. Use code canastaconnection for 10% off at checkout.
Mahjong Co Tiles
Available on Amazon. Colorful tiles that are less expensive than some of the competitor brands.
Mah Jongg Made Easy
Updated official rules by the NMJL. This is more detailed than the rules on the back of the mah jongg card. It reads more like a small textbook than a visual guide.
Line Highlighters
Use a sticky highlighter to help you figure out which lines you are considering!
Mark Your Mahjong Line Marker
Help figure out which line you are considering. This is a great tool for beginners to focus on one particular line. They have a variety of sizes, but we’re partial to the mini line markers.
A Beginner’s Guide to American Mah Jongg
by Elaine Sandberg
An easy to follow guide for game play, exercises and history of the game.
Play Online
Canasta
Both websites play by Modern American Canasta Rules. Like everything in canasta, there is no official governing body so there are lots of table rules. Both platforms are more or less the same game with some table rule differences.
We like Real Canasta for it's more realistic and easy to use platform.
Created by the Canasta League of America, this platform with the original and it is free to play against the computer (called solitaire).