This post answers all of it, clearly and completely.
What Is the National Mah Jongg League?
The National Mah Jongg League is a nonprofit organization founded in 1937 that serves as the governing body for American Mahjong. It sets the official rules for the American version of the game, publishes the annual card of winning hands that all American Mahjong players use, and supports charitable causes through the game’s community.
It is, in short, the reason American Mahjong works the way it does. Without the NMJL, there would be no standardized rules, no universal winning hands, and no shared framework for the millions of players across the country who sit down together every week.
When Was the NMJL Founded and Why?
The NMJL was founded in New York City in 1937, during a period when mahjong had become enormously popular in the United States — but was being played differently in different cities, clubs, and social circles. Rules varied. Winning hands varied. It was hard to sit down at a new table and know what to expect.
A group of women came together to create a unified standard for the game. They established consistent rules, created an official list of winning hands, and began the tradition of updating that list every year. That tradition continues today, nearly ninety years later.
What Is the NMJL Card?
The NMJL card is an annual publication — a small, laminated card — that lists all of the official winning hands for American Mahjong for that year. Every hand a player can win with must appear on the current card. If it’s not on the card, it’s not a valid winning hand, regardless of how impressive the tile combination might look.
The card is organized into sections. Each section groups hands by type: hands built around the current year’s numbers, consecutive runs, hands using winds and dragons, hands using flowers, and more. Every hand on the card has a point value assigned to it, with harder hands worth more.
The card changes every spring. Old hands are retired. New hands are introduced. Point values shift. This annual update is one of the things that keeps American Mahjong fresh — even players who have been at it for decades have to adapt each year.
Why Does the Card Change Every Year?
The card changes every year to keep the game engaging and to prevent players from becoming so comfortable with specific hands that the game loses its challenge. When the hands rotate, everyone — beginners and veterans alike — has to study the new card at the start of each season. It creates a natural reset that levels the playing field and keeps strategy conversations alive year-round.
It also means that if you pick up the game after a few years away, you’ll need the current card before you sit down to play. Last year’s card is not valid this year.
How Do I Get the NMJL Card?
The NMJL card is available directly from the National Mah Jongg League. You can order it through their official website or by mail. New cards are released each spring, typically in time for the new playing season.
The card is inexpensive — usually just a few dollars — and ordering it directly from the NMJL also supports the organization’s charitable work. Many players order several copies at once: one for their tile case, one for the table, and a spare.
You can also often find the card available through mahjong retailers, set sellers, and sometimes through the groups and clubs you play with. But ordering directly from the NMJL is the most reliable method and ensures you’re getting the current, official version.
Does the NMJL Run Tournaments?
Yes. The NMJL organizes official tournaments, including a well-known cruise tournament that draws players from across the country. These events follow strict NMJL rules and use the current card exclusively. They’re a wonderful way to play with a large group of serious, enthusiastic players and to see the highest levels of American Mahjong in action.
Beyond the NMJL’s own events, many local clubs and organizations run their own tournaments using NMJL rules and the current card. These range from small friendly competitions to larger regional events.
Does the NMJL Support Charitable Causes?
Yes, and this has been central to the organization’s identity since its founding. The NMJL donates to a variety of charitable organizations, and part of what makes the mahjong community so warm is this underlying culture of generosity. Many local mahjong fundraisers are organized with the NMJL’s spirit in mind — groups use game nights as a vehicle for raising money for causes they care about.
If you’re looking to organize a charitable mahjong event, the NMJL’s history and model are worth studying. We have a guide on running a mahjong fundraiser if that’s something you’re interested in exploring.
Do I Have to Follow NMJL Rules to Play American Mahjong?
Technically, no — but practically, yes. The overwhelming majority of American Mahjong players and groups follow NMJL rules and use the current NMJL card. When you join a new group, attend a club game, or play in any organized setting, NMJL rules are almost certainly what’s being used.
Some groups have minor house rules — small variations around payment structures, etiquette, or edge cases — but the core rules and the card itself are nearly universal in the American Mahjong community. Learning the NMJL standard is learning the game.
How Does the NMJL Affect Everyday Players Like Me?
More directly than you might think. Every time you look at your card to figure out which hand to build, you’re working with the NMJL’s product. Every time someone calls Mahjong with a valid hand, that validity is defined by the NMJL. The organization shapes the rhythm and strategy of every single game you play.
Understanding what the NMJL is — and appreciating the nearly ninety years of consistency it has brought to the game — gives you a deeper connection to the mahjong community you’re joining. This isn’t just a card game. It has a history, a governing body, and a culture that stretches back to the 1930s. That’s something worth knowing.
Where Can I Learn More About Reading and Using the Card?
Getting the card is the easy part. Learning to use it efficiently — spotting which hands suit your tiles, understanding how point values should influence your choices, and keeping up when the card changes each spring — is the ongoing work of being a mahjong player.
Inside The Mahjong Guild, members get dedicated guides to navigating the NMJL card at every level: beginner breakdowns of what each section means, strategy guides for which hands are most achievable, and community discussions every spring when the new card drops.
Join The Mahjong Guild and get the most out of your NMJL card from day one.
NMJL Quick Facts
- Founded: 1937, New York City
- Purpose: Governs American Mahjong rules and publishes the annual card of winning hands
- The card: Updated every spring; lists all valid winning hands and their point values
- Card cost: A few dollars; order directly from the NMJL website
- Tournaments: Yes, including an annual cruise tournament
- Charitable mission: Yes; giving has been part of the organization since its founding
- Do I need to use it? Yes — nearly all American Mahjong groups play by NMJL rules