How to Read the American Mahjong Card (NMJL)

Every American mahjong hand is printed on the annual card. This guide shows how to read its notation, respect the joker restrictions, and memorise hands efficiently — the card is the real rulebook.

About rule differences Overseas variants are defined by associations, clubs or the table itself. This page gives the mainstream version to build a frame and read the jargon; in a real game or tournament, the official or table rules win.

1. What the card is

The NMJL issues a new card every year, listing all hands you may win with and their values. The card is authoritative: no card, no win — and a new card each year means re-learning each year. We don't provide the official card; get the current year's card from the NMJL.

2. How to read a hand line

Each line uses letters and numbers to specify which tiles, how many, and the pattern. Typically F = flower, letters denote winds/dragons, digits are suited tiles; confirm against the current card. The number at the end is the hand's value — harder hands score more, which drives push/fold decisions.

3. Joker restrictions

Jokers substitute for tiles, but not where the card forbids it (certain pairs and singles). The exact marks vary by year, so read the current card. If unsure: use real tiles rather than a joker in a doubtful slot — slower but safer.

4. Memorising efficiently

Tier it: simplest no-joker hands first, then joker hands, then long flower hands. Group by which tiles a hand needs, not by print order. Memorise only the hands you actually play; you may consult the card at the table.

5. Three things to do first

① Highlight the joker rules. ② Mark the 3–5 hands you like as your go-to goals. ③ Learn the value ordering so you push the high-value shapes first. Read this with the rules overview: How to play American mahjong.

Practice checklist

  1. Highlight joker restrictions before the first game.
  2. Memorise three hands a day: simple → joker → flower.
  3. Re-group the card by 'tiles needed' rather than print order.
  4. Lay out five common hands with real tiles to build muscle memory.
  5. Learn the value ordering to practise push/fold.

FAQ

Can you win without matching the card?
No. NMJL rules require each hand to match a formula printed on the current year's card.
How do you read the card notation?
Letters and numbers specify tiles and patterns (F is usually a flower; letters are winds/dragons; digits are suits). Confirm against the current official card.
Can jokers substitute for any tile?
Not always. Jokers substitute except where the card forbids it (certain pairs/singles) — follow the current card's marks.
Does the card change every year?
Yes. The NMJL issues a new card annually, so hands and values change and players re-learn each year.

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