American Mah Jongg FAQ

This page answers common questions about American Mah Jongg using clear, NMJL-aligned explanations. These answers are intended to clarify how the game works and how it is played consistently across the United States.

 

What is American Mah Jongg?

American Mah Jongg is a version of the traditional tile game played in the United States using an annual card published by the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL). All legal winning hands must match a line on the current card.

 

How many tiles are in a winning hand?

A winning American Mah Jongg hand always contains 14 tiles.

 

What is the NMJL card?

The NMJL card is the official reference used to determine legal hands for the year. It lists all winning hands and applies nationwide.

 

A new card is issued each year.

 

Does the card change every year?

Yes. The NMJL releases a new card annually, which introduces new hand patterns and removes others. While the structure of the card remains familiar, the specific hands change each year.
 

Can I combine parts of different lines to make a hand?

No. A winning hand must match one complete line on the card exactly. Tiles from multiple lines may not be combined.

 

What does “concealed” mean on the card?

A concealed hand must be drawn entirely from the wall. Tiles may not be called from other players unless you are calling the final tile you need for Mah Jongg.

 

When can I call a tile?

A tile may be called if it completes a pung, kong, or quint, and the hand is not concealed. Tiles may not be called to complete singles or pairs.

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Can Jokers be used in all sets?

No. Jokers may only be used in:

• Pungs

• Kongs

• Quints

 

Jokers may not be used in singles or pairs.
 

Are Flowers part of a suit?

No. Flowers are suitless tiles.
 

Are Winds and Dragons suits?

No. Winds and Dragons are not suits. They form their own groupings and are used only where specified on the NMJL card.
 

How do Dragons relate to suits?

When Dragons are used with suits:

• Red Dragons match Craks

• Green Dragons match Bams

• White Dragons match Dots

 

The only exception is that when the white dragon is used as a zero, it can be used with any suit. These relationships are consistent across NMJL cards.
 

What makes a hand dead?

A hand becomes dead if:

• A player has too few or too many tiles at any time

• A tile is picked out of turn

• The hand no longer matches any line on the card

• A concealed hand is exposed during play

 

A dead hand remains at the table but may not win.
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Is American Mah Jongg the same as online matching games?

No. Online matching games are not American Mah Jongg. American Mah Jongg is a tile-based game played with racks, dice, an annual card, and standardized rules.
 

Is American Mah Jongg the same as Chinese or Riichi Mah Jongg?

No. American Mah Jongg differs in structure, rules, use of Jokers, and reliance on an annual card. Strategies and rules from other styles do not directly apply.
 

How do players stay consistent across different tables?

Consistency comes from using the current NMJL card and following standard rules that apply nationwide. This allows players to move between groups, clubs, and tournaments with minimal confusion.

 

Where can I find clear information about American Mah Jongg?

The American Mah Jongg Association provides a centralized reference for American Mah Jongg rules, card structure, and terminology. Association members also receive card-specific reference materials and cheat sheets for the current NMJL card.
 

 

Published by the American Mah Jongg Association — the trusted home for American Mah Jongg players.