Track American Mahjong PIE balances and settle each round at your table.
What is PIE?
PIE stands for “Purse Is Empty.” Mahjong teaching sources describe it as a table-agreed house rule: players begin with a fixed purse and stop paying after it is empty. A current first-party NMJL statement confirming that status was not found, so confirm the rules at your own table.
PIE limits are set by each table. One 2026 teaching source says $5 is common, with $10 or $20 used as higher-stakes options.
Record-keeping only — this tool does not accept wagers, move money, or award prizes.
PIE questions
What is PIE in American Mahjong?
PIE stands for “Purse Is Empty.” Mahjong teaching sources describe it as a table-agreed house rule: players pay losses from a fixed purse and stop paying when it is empty. We did not find a current first-party NMJL statement confirming that status.
My PIE was empty, then I won $1.50 back — do I pay if I lose the next 25¢ round?
That depends on your table. With the calculator’s automatic-resume option, yes: the player pays 25¢ from the $1.50. With manual restoration, the player stays busted until the table restores them. Public research did not verify either option as a standardized custom.
Do payouts come from my mahjong purse or my personal wallet?
Agree on this before play. This calculator can either forgive any amount above the remaining PIE or track it as debt, but public research did not verify either approach as a standardized custom.
What stops someone from emptying a PIE on purpose to avoid paying?
This is a table-agreement question. If your group wants unpaid amounts recorded, select debt mode. Debt is deducted first from the debtor’s own future winnings; it is not transferred to the earlier winner, and a busted player still incurs debt each round.
How much should I bring for PIE?
Each table chooses its own limit. One 2026 teaching source says $5 is common, with $10 or $20 used for higher-stakes play. Confirm the amount with your group before starting; the calculator’s default is only an example.
How does the optional Bettor work here?
This calculator uses a stated table convention: the Bettor picks one player before each round. A correct pick receives half of the winner’s actual collections from the other players, rounded down to the cent. A wrong pick pays the winner what the selected player actually paid. Draw bets are not tracked.
Can I use this if we do not play for money?
Yes. Set the starting PIE to $0 for pure scorekeeping. Purse, bust, shortfall, debt, restoration, and top-up logic are disabled, and each participant’s cumulative net may go negative.