American Mah Jongg for Enthusiasts, Beginner and Experienced Alike: Welcome to my Mah Jongg blog

Welcome! 

I am a Mah Jongg player and instructor. I am retired from my previous life as a technology and finance executive, and I'm currently teaching beginners at a local library, and I play 4 days a week. I love this game and everything that comes with it: community, brain exercises, time out of the house and, of course, winning games.

 I write here to bring help and tips to Mah Jongg players everywhere. It's interesting to me how one game can have so many "variations". But of course, there aren't any variations to the game; only in the way that it is played. I play by the NMJL rules. That means I'm not always welcome at "friendly" or "social" tables because I enforce the rules. My reply to a "we don't do that; this is a friendly game" is "well, if you landed on Boardwalk and I put a hotel on it, would you allow that?" Of course not--it's against the Monopoly rules. Somehow, though, enforcing Mah Jongg rules is sometimes frowned upon. But not by me. 

 Everyone develops a style in play. It's inevitable because a person is unique and therefore, will pick, discard, expose and declare different from anyone else. I'm not going to address style, although my style is likely to come out in my writing. Instead, I will address rules, play and strategy. I'm not THE resource, I am A resource. It's OK if you don't agree with me, but it's not OK to be rude. This site is for everyone, so take what you like, ignore what you don't and apply your own style to my suggestions.

I don't want everyone to play exactly like me--how boring. Instead, I want everyone to find their way to play, within the rules, that allows them to enjoy the game. Let's start with the basics. Even advanced players benefit from an occasional review of the basics. This isn't a primer on how to play. This post assumes that you are at least familiar with the game and its flow, the tiles and what it takes to win.

SOME BASICS

OBJECTIVE: The objective of American Mah Jongg is to complete any one line on the NMJL card before any other player at the tables. Secondary to that, Mah Jongg is essentially between you and your tiles. There are other players at the table, and as you get more skilled, you will be aware of them. As a beginner or intermediate player, though, it really is just you and the tiles. 

EXPOSURES: An exposure can be made from the discard pile to help you build your hand. To claim a tile for an exposure, you must be able to show at least a group of 3 identical tiles. The exposure can be 4 identical tiles, 5 or even 6, but never 1 or 2. Never. Unless it is to win for Mah Jongg, you cannot pick up a discarded tile for a pair or a single. This includes a "run", such as "1234" or "2026". In that case, each tile is considered a single and cannot be picked up or exposed from the discard pile. 

When you EXPOSE, you must put the called tile on the top of your rack. If you put it on the sloped part of your rack, your hand is dead. It's a cheating risk, which is why it's' a rule. No one is accusing you of cheating; it is just the rule. But it is a rule, and if you put that called tile on the sloped part of your rack, you are disqualified immediately. 

JOKERS: As with exposures, Jokers can be used in any group of 3 identical tiles or more. You can never use a Joker in a single or pair. "1234", "2026", "FF", "00"--any single, run or pair must stand with the tiles and without jokers. Jokers are never, ever allowed in a single or pair. Not even for Mah Jongg. Not even if you ask nicely. Never, never, never. 

JOKERS, continued: When a Joker is discarded during a game, it is dead. It is dead to everyone, no exceptions. No one can pick it up. Ever. Not for a single, not for a pair, not to complete an exposure, and not for Mah Jongg. Never. 

THE CARD: The NMJL card shows the basic lines of any hand that can win in Mah Jongg. The colors on the card denote the suits: one color, one suit; two colors, two suits; three colors, three suits. Card colors have no relation to tile colors or suits. They are not related. When the 2026 card shows this "11 222 33 44 5555" in blue, that means one suit. It does not mean the Dots suit, or any other suit for that matter. It means one suit. All the numbers in that line must be in the same suit (Craks, Bams, Dots) as each other. 

THE CARD gets easier to read as you play. Pay attention to the words on the right of the hand. Note such as "these numbers only" or "any four consecutive numbers" can mean the difference between being stuck on a hand versus winning a hand. 

RACKING: When it's your turn to pick, you must rack your tile in the sloped part of your rack. The sloped side is the one facing you and hiding your tiles from other players. If you don't rack, you risk losing that tile to a player who calls the previous discard. It is your responsibility to make the previous discard "dead" by racking your tile. Until you do, the tile you picked is not yours. 

ETIQUETTE: Basics such as (1) all players help with setup and cleanup, (2) all players wash the tiles and build their own walls, and (3) move the wall to the center as it shrinks, so no one has to pull a muscle to reach their pick. Playing at the table's pace, keeping your hands off of other players's tiles, asking for Jokers with palm extended, and speaking up when you need a moment to think are for those more comfortable with the game. 

Keep in mind, however, that good manners will get you farther with an experienced group than any strategy or skills you have. And if you want to get better, you need to play with new people and/or people who are more experienced than you are.

 Check back next time for in-game strategies and tips. In the mean time, drop your questions in the comments and I will add it to my list of items to cover.

 Until then, 

 MahjLove to All