American Mahjong Card Guide
The American mahjong card defines the valid hands for its edition. Each printed line is an exact formula: numbers, colors, suit symbols, flowers, winds, dragons, spacing, and labels all carry meaning.
Parts of a card line
- Section heading
- Groups related hands under a shared pattern concept such as years, consecutive runs, or winds and dragons.
- Printed groups
- Spacing separates singles, pairs, pungs, kongs, and larger groups.
- Colors
- Show suit relationships, not fixed suits. The player assigns actual suits consistently.
- Parentheses or notes
- Clarify allowed substitutions, suit choices, or special interpretations.
- Concealed marker
- Restricts ordinary exposure calls.
- Value
- Provides the base scoring amount for the completed hand.
How to read a candidate line
Read the entire line
Do not stop after recognizing one matching group.
Translate colors into suits
Choose which actual suit will represent each printed color and keep that assignment consistent.
Count group sizes
Use spacing to distinguish singles, pairs, pungs, kongs, and larger groups.
Check notes and status
Read any parenthetical instruction and confirm whether the hand is exposed or concealed.
Count all 14 tiles
The complete rack must match the line exactly before mahjong is declared.
Exact match vs. visual resemblance
Exact match
Every tile, suit relationship, group size, and restriction agrees with one printed line.
Visual resemblance
The rack looks similar but has a wrong suit, misplaced flower, incorrect pair, or unapproved joker.
Replace the card each year
Hands change with each annual edition. An older card remains useful for casual practice only when every player intentionally uses that same edition.
Card questions
Do printed colors mean dots, bams, and craks?
No. Colors indicate different or matching suits according to the line; the player chooses the actual suit assignment.
Can I combine parts of two lines?
No. A winning hand must match one complete line.
Does the card explain every gameplay rule?
No. It defines hands and includes important notes, while broader rules govern dealing, Charleston, calls, jokers, and scoring.