An example line, worked
Here is an invented line in the card's style, not one from any year's card: FF 222 4444 666 88, all one color, X 25. Count: 2 + 3 + 4 + 3 + 2 = 14 tiles. One color means 2s, 4s, 6s and 8s from a single suit, say Dots. X means you can call a 2 Dot to finish the pung of 2s. It pays 25. The pairs (FF and 88) can't hold jokers and can't be called unless the tile wins.
The sections
The card groups hands by theme, such as the year, 2468, like numbers, a consecutive run, 13579, 369, winds and dragons, and singles and pairs. Section names and the hands in them change from year to year. A new card comes out each spring; buy it from the League, not from a copy.
Questions
What do the colors on the mahjong card mean?
Suits. Groups printed in the same color come from one suit; different colors mean different suits. You choose which suits.
What does X and C mean on the mahjong card?
X means exposed: you may call tiles and show groups. C means concealed: keep the hand hidden and call only the winning tile.
When does the new mahjong card come out?
The National Mah Jongg League issues a new card each spring, and tables switch to it when it arrives.
Does this page show this year's hands?
No. The hands are the League's; the example above is invented to show how a line reads.
Related cards
Small Table Mahj is an independent guide written in our own words. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Mah Jongg League, and it shows no hands from the League's card. Buy this year's card from the League.
