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Guide

The NMJL mahjong card, explained for new American players

American mahjong does not have a fixed list of winning hands. Every spring the National Mah Jongg League publishes a new card, and for the following year that card is the rulebook: if a hand is not on it, it does not win. Here is what a new player needs to know before the first game.

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What the card is

The card is a folded sheet listing every hand that counts as a win for that year, grouped into sections, with a point value next to each one. Each hand is also marked as exposed or concealed — whether you may call discards to complete it or must draw every tile yourself.

The hands change every year. Some sections return in some form annually and many hands are reworked, which is a large part of why American groups stay interested: everyone starts the year learning a new card together.

Why your group needs this year’s card

Groups play from the current card, and every player needs their own copy at the table. A hand that won last year may simply not exist this year, so an old card is not a cheaper substitute — it is a different game.

New cards are usually released in spring and most groups switch over as soon as copies arrive. If you are joining a group mid-year, ask which card they are playing before you buy.

Where to get it

The card is published by the National Mah Jongg League, and buying direct from the League is the safest route. Some mahjong shops and clubs also resell it. Be wary of photocopies and unofficial reprints: they are not permitted, and groups generally expect an official card at the table.

Because the card is a printed product from one publisher, it is not something we link to through AliExpress or Amazon. Buy it from the League or a shop you trust.

Standard or large print

The card is available in a standard size and a large-print size. Large print is the same content on a bigger sheet. If anyone at your table struggles to read the standard card at arm’s length, large print is worth it — reading the card is something you do every few seconds during play.

What the card changes about your set

  • Nothing about the tile count: every American hand is built from the same 152 playing tiles, including eight jokers.
  • You need racks, because the card is propped behind your tiles and the rack keeps both readable.
  • Arabic numerals on the crak and dot tiles matter more than they seem: matching numbers on the card to numbers on the tiles is half the speed of play.
  • A card holder or stand is a small accessory that genuinely helps. Many rack-and-pusher sets have a slot for one.

Learning a new card

Start by reading the section headings and the point values, not by memorising hands. Most players pick two or three sections to aim for in a given game and adjust after the Charleston. Our guide to American mahjong rules covers how the Charleston and jokers work alongside the card.

Frequently asked questions

Can I play American mahjong without a card?

Not by the standard rules. The card defines which hands win, so without it there is no agreed way to end a hand. For a first practice game you can share one card between players, but everyone will want their own quickly.

Does a new card mean I need a new set?

No. The set stays the same every year. Only the card changes.

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