Pushers, racks, and rack-pushers — what's the difference?

The vocabulary trips up almost everyone new to American play, largely because two of the three things are often the same object.

The rack

A long, shallow tray that holds your hand upright and facing you. Every player needs one, which is why they are sold in fours. The only spec that matters is the groove: it has to hold a standard American tile — up to about 1.25 in wide — without pinching or letting tiles lean.

The pusher

A bar used to push the wall of tiles forward to where the players can reach it. Without one, somebody stands up every hand.

The rack-pusher

Both, in one piece. The pusher bar runs along the outside of the rack. This is what most American groups buy today, and the reason you will see all three words used for what looks like the same product.

What to check before you buy

• Weight at the base. An unweighted pusher skates across the felt instead of moving the wall. This is the single most common complaint about cheap sets.
• Tile width. Riichi and Chinese tiles are different sizes; a rack cut for American tiles will not fit them.
• Length. Standard is around 13.5 in. Longer racks crowd a 32 in mat.
• Whether you already own racks. If you do, buy pusher bars alone rather than replacing the set.