Frequently Asked Questions

1. Q:I am a newbie and want to learn American Mahjong. Which card should I start with?

A: We highly recommend starting with the National Mahjongg League (NMJL) Official Standard Hands and Rules card. It is the most widely used card in the United States and serves as the foundation for most American Mahjong games.

2. Q: Do I need to buy a new card every year?

A: Yes. The NMJL releases a new card every year (usually in April) with new winning hand combinations to keep the game challenging and fresh.

3. Q: How many players do I need for a game?

• A: Standard American Mahjong is played with 4 players. However, variations exist for 2 or 3 players if you are short on people.

4. Q: What is the difference between American and Chinese Mahjong?

• A: American Mahjong uses a yearly "rule card," includes "Joker" tiles, and features a passing phase called the "Charleston." Chinese Mahjong relies on traditional patterns (Pungs, Chow, Kongs) without a card or Jokers.

5. Q: What basic equipment do I need to start playing?

• A: You will need a set of 152 Mahjong tiles, 4 racks (often with pushers), and the current year’s NMJL rule card.

6. Q: What is the "Charleston"?

• A: The Charleston is a unique American Mahjong ritual where players exchange unwanted tiles with each other in a specific sequence before the game begins.

7. Q: How do I use a Joker tile?

• A: Jokers are "wild" and can replace any tile in a grouping of 3 or more (Pung, Kong, Quint, or Sextet). They cannot be used to complete a "Pair" or a "Single" on the card.

8. Q: Can I "call" a tile to complete a pair?

• A: No. In American Mahjong, you can only call a discarded tile if it completes a winning hand (Mahjong). Otherwise, you can only call tiles for groupings of 3 or more.

9. Q: What does it mean when a hand is marked "X" or "C" on the card?

• A: "X" stands for Exposed, meaning you can call tiles to build this hand. "C" stands for Concealed, meaning you must build the entire hand from your own picks without calling any discards (except for the final winning tile).

10. Q: What happens if I make a mistake and call "Mahjong" incorrectly?

• A: Your hand is declared "dead." You stop playing for the rest of the round, but the other players continue. You may still be responsible for paying the winner.