Understanding the NMJL Card: A Complete Guide
What Is the NMJL Card?
The NMJL card is the official guide to winning hands in American Mahjong. Published each year by the National Mah Jongg League, the card lists every valid combination of tiles that can win a game. No card, no game — it’s that essential.
Every spring, a new card is released with completely different hands. This annual refresh keeps the game exciting and ensures that experienced players can’t simply memorize their way to victory forever.
How to Read the Card
The card organizes hands into categories. Each line shows a specific combination of tiles you need to collect, along with its point value. Here’s what the notation means:
- Numbers (1-9) represent tile values within a suit
- Letters like F, D, and N/E/S/W represent Flowers, Dragons, and Winds
- Colors indicate which suits are required — and whether they must match or differ
- “C” next to a hand means it’s a concealed hand (no exposures allowed)
The point value listed next to each hand determines how much the winner collects. Higher-value hands are harder to achieve but pay out more. For a detailed walkthrough of the symbols and abbreviations, see How to Read the NMJL Card.
Categories on the Card
While the specific hands change every year, the card typically includes categories like:
- 2468 — hands using only even-numbered tiles
- Quints — hands requiring five of the same tile (using jokers)
- Consecutive Run — hands with sequential tile groups
- 13579 — hands using only odd-numbered tiles
- Winds and Dragons — hands focused on honor tiles
- Singles and Pairs — concealed hands with no groups larger than two
Each category has its own personality. Some favor aggressive play with lots of exposures. Others require patience and concealment.
Choosing a Hand
When you first look at your tiles after the deal, you’ll want to scan the card for hands that overlap with what you already have. A few tips:
- Stay flexible early. Don’t commit to a single hand before the Charleston.
- Look for clusters. If you have several tiles in one suit, look for hands in that suit.
- Consider the odds. Hands requiring many jokers or rare tiles are harder to complete.
- Watch the table. As other players discard, you can adjust your strategy.
Where to Get the Card
You can purchase the official NMJL card at nationalmahjonggleague.org. The card is required for play — Mahj Parlour supports the current year’s card so you can practice hands against bots or play with friends.
Download Mahj Parlour and start learning the card at your own pace.