Question 1

What is the NMJL card?

Accepted Answer

The NMJL card is the official list of winning hands for American Mahjong, published annually by the National Mah Jongg League since 1937. It defines all valid winning hand patterns for the year. Every American Mahjong player needs the current year's card to play.

Question 2

When does the new NMJL card come out?

Accepted Answer

A new NMJL card is released each spring, typically mailed in late March to early April. Orders open in January. The hands change each year, which keeps the game fresh and requires players to learn new patterns and strategies annually.

Question 3

Where can I buy the NMJL card?

Accepted Answer

The official NMJL card can be purchased directly from the National Mah Jongg League at nationalmahjonggleague.org. The standard card costs approximately $14-15. A large print version is also available for an additional cost.

Question 4

How much does the NMJL card cost?

Accepted Answer

The standard NMJL card costs $14.00 and the large print version costs $15.00 (2026 prices). Prices may vary slightly year to year.

Question 5

Do I need the NMJL card to play American Mahjong?

Accepted Answer

The NMJL card is the standard used by most American Mahjong groups and defines the valid winning hands for the year. However, alternative cards also exist — such as the Siamese Card and Marvelous Card — that some groups use instead. Check with your group to see which card they play with.

Question 6

Can I use last year's NMJL card?

Accepted Answer

Technically yes, but it's not recommended for regular play. The hands change each year, so using an old card means playing with outdated rules. Most groups expect everyone to have the current year's card.

Question 7

What do the colors mean on the NMJL card?

Accepted Answer

Colors indicate suit relationships. Tiles shown in the SAME color must be the SAME suit. Tiles shown in DIFFERENT colors must be DIFFERENT suits. The specific color (blue, green, red) doesn't matter - just whether they match or differ.

Question 8

What does 'C' mean after the point value?

Accepted Answer

'C' stands for Concealed. When you see a point value followed by C (like 30C), that hand MUST be played concealed - meaning you cannot call any tiles from other players. You must draw all tiles from the wall yourself.

Question 9

What does 'F' mean on the NMJL card?

Accepted Answer

F stands for Flower tiles. These are the 8 Flower tiles in an American Mahjong set. FF means a pair of Flowers, FFFF means four Flowers, and so on.

Question 10

What does 'NEWS' mean on the NMJL card?

Accepted Answer

NEWS represents all four Wind tiles together: North, East, West, and South. When you see NEWS on the card, you need one of each Wind tile in that hand.

Question 11

What do the point values mean?

Accepted Answer

Point values (25, 30, 35, 40, 50) indicate how difficult a hand is and how much it scores. Higher point values mean harder hands. 25-point hands are generally easier; 50-point hands are the most challenging.

Question 12

How do I choose which hand to go for?

Accepted Answer

Look at your starting tiles and identify which categories they fit. Pick 2-3 possible hands that use your tiles efficiently. Start with achievable hands rather than high-point difficult ones. Keep flexible during the Charleston and commit gradually.

Question 13

When should I switch to a different hand?

Accepted Answer

Switch when key tiles for your hand have been discarded by others, making your hand impossible or unlikely. The earlier you switch, the better your chances with a new hand. Late-game switches are risky.

Question 14

Can Jokers be used in all hands?

Accepted Answer

No. Jokers can only be used in Pungs (3), Kongs (4), or Quints (5). They CANNOT be used in pairs or single tiles. Additionally, 'Singles and Pairs' hands on the card do not allow Jokers at all.

Question 15

Should I call tiles or keep my hand concealed?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the situation. Calling (exposing) gets you tiles you need but reveals your strategy. Concealed hands are worth more points but harder to complete. Call when you're close to winning; stay concealed when still building.

Question 16

What are the easiest hands for beginners?

Accepted Answer

The 2468 (Evens) and 13579 (Odds) categories are generally beginner-friendly. They have clear patterns and multiple hand options. Start with lower point-value hands (25-30 points) before attempting harder ones.

Question 17

Is there a large print NMJL card?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the NMJL offers a large print version of the card ($15 vs $14 for standard) for players who prefer bigger, easier-to-read text. It can be ordered from nationalmahjonggleague.org.

Question 18

Should I laminate my NMJL card?

Accepted Answer

Many players laminate their cards to protect them from wear, spills, and handling throughout the year. This is especially useful since you'll reference the card frequently during games. Some office supply stores offer lamination services.

Question 19

Can I share a card with other players?

Accepted Answer

Each player should have their own card to reference during the game. Sharing slows down play and makes it difficult to study hands between turns. The NMJL sells cards individually for this reason.

Question 20

Do mahjong sets come with the NMJL card?

Accepted Answer

No. Mahjong sets include tiles, racks, and dice, but NOT the NMJL card. The card must be purchased separately from the National Mah Jongg League. This is because the card changes every year.

Question 21

How long has the NMJL existed?

Accepted Answer

The National Mah Jongg League was founded in 1937 in New York City and has published an official card every year since then. It's the standard-setting authority for American Mahjong and maintains the rules used by the vast majority of American players.

Question 22

Why does the card change every year?

Accepted Answer

The annual card change keeps American Mahjong dynamic and interesting. It prevents the game from becoming stale and ensures players must continually learn and adapt. This tradition has continued since 1937.

Question 23

How many hands are on the NMJL card?

Accepted Answer

The exact number varies slightly year to year, but there are typically around 65-75 hand lines organized into about 9 categories. When you count suit variations, there are over 1,000 playable permutations. Each category contains multiple hand patterns with different point values.

NMJL Card FAQ

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