Beginner
Start here
What am I trying to do?
Official RuleBuild a 14-tile hand that matches one line on the card exactly. During play, you normally hold 13 tiles; East starts with 14 and discards first.
222 · 4444 · 666 · 8888 — Bams
Fictional example · NOT the official NMJL card. Real games use the same year's official card for every player.
After the deal: pairs suggest a direction, not a promise.
“Start with what you've got. These pairs of 2 and 4 Bams suggest looking at even-number hands. Keep a second possibility in mind rather than choosing one line too soon.”
Lin · Table leadStrategy Tip
Overall strategy: What am I trying to do?
Open the four-phase rack on its own page to come back to anytime.
New here? Start with the walkthrough: Your First Hand
One full hand, step by step with pictures — League rules shown apart from tips.
Lessons · Modules 1–8
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The 2-Minute Explainer
What makes American Mah Jongg its own game. · ~2 min
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Your Rack & Table Gear
Racks, pushers, the card, dice and score chips — what each piece is for. · ~5 min
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Tiles & Groups
Craks, Bams, Dots, Dragons, Winds, Flowers and Jokers. · ~6 min
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Reading the Card
Colors, (X) and (C), and the 13-vs-14 tile count. · ~6 min
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The Charleston Protocol
Right, Across, Left — then optionally again. · ~8 min
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Jokers & Swaps
Where Jokers go, where they can't, and how to swap. · ~5 min
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Etiquette & Calling
Calling tiles, exposures, and reaching Table-Ready. · ~7 min
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Winning, Priority & Dead Hands
Declaring Mah Jongg, who gets a tile, and when a hand is out. · ~6 min