Annual Mahjong Cards
Welcome to the Card Shop!
This is your home base for the annual American Mahjong card that matters most: the official National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) card. It’s the gold standard for league, tournament, and shared-table play.
Mahjong, of course, continues to grow and inspire creativity beyond the League card. From time to time, you may also see specialty or alternative cards featured here that explore different layouts, ideas, or styles of play.
The Gold Standard: The NMJL Card
The National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) card is the official playbook for American Mahjong. It’s the card used in leagues, tournaments, and open play, allowing players from different groups to sit down together with one shared set of rules.
A new NMJL card is released each spring. While the hands change annually, the structure and scoring remain familiar and consistent. Now in its 89th year, that continuity is exactly why most players continue to rely on it.
Why do alternative cards exist?
Because Mahjong players aren’t one-size-fits-all. Some enjoy a different layout, some like experimenting with scoring, and others are drawn to design, durability, or a fresh way to experience the game.
These cards aren’t meant to replace the NMJL card. They complement it, offering variety and creativity, especially for casual play or home games outside formal league settings.
So… which card should you play?
If you’re playing American Mahjong in leagues, tournaments, or open play, the NMJL card is the gold standard and the one everyone expects at the table.
That said, variety can be fun. If you’re playing casually or feeling curious, alternative cards can offer a new perspective and a different kind of challenge. Try one, or try them all.
No matter the card, the heart of the game stays the same: understanding the hands, reading the table, and making smart decisions. The card provides the framework - your strategy brings it to life.
Below are some of the cards you may see in 2026. My favorite? NMJL, of course. A close second? The Big Card from The Mahjong Line.
The Big Card was co-created by The Mahjong Line, I LOVE MAHJ, and a team of Mahjong experts, honoring classic American Mahjong rules while introducing statistically driven scoring. Tested across one million simulated games, its dynamic point system (10–85 points) reflects the true difficulty and rarity of each hand for smart, satisfying play.
International Card was created by Oh My Mahjong. It brings together elements from American and global Mahjong traditions, with rules for blank tiles and modern play. It also accommodates those with color-vision differences, ensuring that Mahjong is accessible to all. Use code MASTERYOURMAHJONG to receive 10% off your card order.
The Mahjong Press is what happens when longtime players, teachers, designers, and slightly-obsessed enthusiasts put their heads together. Clear layout, tear-proof materials, accessible suit indicators, and an overall clean, intuitive card. Created for the beginner at your table and the seasoned player who teaches everyone else.