A mat changes how the game feels. Neoprene cushions every tile you set down, so the table stays quiet and your tiles stay unscratched, and the non-slip backing means nothing shifts when four people are pushing walls.

Ours are finished with stitched borders that survive repeated rolling, and each ships with a canvas bag or tube.

Designs range from serene to bold: Veranda's garden cranes in soft green and blue, Jade's deep blues and fan motifs, Hampton's sunny coastal palette. For summer, the Aqua Jong floating mats take the game to the pool.

Pair a mat with tiles that complement it — or deliberately contrast.