Watch Before Your Lesson

In Episode 1 of Mahj 101, we start with the essentials of American Mahjong. You’ll learn what Mahjong is and what makes the American version of the game unique, who the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) is, what the NMJL Card is, and why a new card with new hands is issued every year. We’ll also explain the basic objective of the game: be the first player to match your 14 tiles to a winning hand printed on the NMJL Card. Finally, we’ll walk through exactly what you need to get started and play your first game.(Click Image.)

In Episode 2 of Mahj 101, we introduce every tile used in American Mahjong. You’ll learn the three suits—Bams, Craks, and Dots, numbered 1–9, with four of each tile and a matching Dragon for each suit. We’ll cover the Red, Green, and White (Soap) Dragons, including how Green pairs with Bams, Red with Craks, and White with Dots, and how Soap can also represent a zero on the NMJL Card. You’ll meet the four Winds—North, East, West, and South (NEWS), with four of each in a set; the eight Flowers, which are interchangeable and shown as F on the card; and Jokers, the wild tiles that can only be used in groups of three or more identical tiles. (Click Image)

In Episode 3 of Mahj 101, we break down the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) Card and show you how to read it with confidence. You’ll learn why a new card is issued each year, how the hands are organized into sections, what the different colors and point values mean, why you should always read the parentheses, and the difference between X (exposed) and C (concealed) hands. While the winning combinations change each year, the basics of reading the card remain the same—so once you understand the structure, you’ll be ready for every new card to come. (Click Image)

In Episode 4 of Mahj 101, we walk through how to set up the table and deal the tiles for a game of American Mahjong. You’ll learn how to build the walls, determine who is East, break the wall, and properly deal the tiles so each player starts with 13 tiles and East begins with 14. We’ll also cover the basic equipment you need to get your game started.

In Episode 5 of Mahj 101, we show you what to do after the deal: organize your tiles and start making a plan. You’ll learn how to arrange your tiles by suit and number, scan the NMJL Card for sections that work with what you’ve been dealt, and choose a section to guide your decisions during the Charleston. Jessica also walks through four example racks and shares beginner-friendly strategy tips to help you recognize patterns and make smarter choices

In Episode 6 of Mahj 101, we tackle the Charleston and Courtesy Pass, the “tile dance” unique to American Mahjong. You’ll learn the R.O.L.L.O.R. sequence—Right, Over, Left, Left, Over, Right—when blind passes are allowed, and how to complete the final Courtesy Pass. We’ll also share strategy for using the Charleston to move from a general section of the NMJL Card toward a specific winning hand before live gameplay begins.

In Episode 7 of Mahj 101, we walk through the flow of live American Mahjong gameplay from the first discard to declaring Mahjong. You’ll learn how turns work, how to draw and discard, the difference between live and dead tiles, how and when to call a discard for an exposure, and what happens when a call changes the order of play. We’ll also cover exposures, Joker exchanges, and the ultimate goal: being the first player to match all 14 tiles to a winning hand on the NMJL Card and declare Mahjong!

In the Mahj 101 Finale, we cover what happens when you win American Mahjong! You’ll learn how to properly declare “Mahj,” reveal and verify your 14-tile winning hand, and understand basic scoring, including bonuses for self-picked and Jokerless wins. We’ll also explain optional table betting and payouts, what happens when someone discards the winning tile, and important etiquette when verifying a win. By the end of this episode, you’ve learned American Mahjong from setup to Mahjong—now it’s time to get out there and play!