For American Mahjong played with National Mah Jongg League rules, the current annual card lists the permitted winning hands and their values. The tiles are reusable from year to year; the card changes. Our tiles and the current card are separate purchases.
What the card does
Players use the card to compare their tiles with the allowed combinations. It is a reference for that ruleset, not a tile catalogue or a substitute for learning the rules. Confirm that everyone at the table is using the same edition and rules.
Where to get the current card
Order from the National Mah Jongg League and check the League’s current card options, availability and price. We do not reproduce the card’s protected hand layout here and do not claim League endorsement.
Does a new card mean buying new tiles?
An annual card update does not normally require a new standard American tile set. Confirm that your set has all 152 playing tiles, including the Jokers. A box marked 160 or 166 may add spares, but the spare composition varies.
Buying tiles for a first game
Compare the tile dimensions and how easily you can read the suits and numbers while using the card. Check that four racks and pushers are available for the table, whether already owned or purchased separately. A tiles-only listing does not establish that these accessories are supplied.
First-set equipment checklist · Identify the playing tiles · Shop tile designs
Annual card and equipment checklist
- Ask the group which rules and card edition it uses.
- Check the current edition and available formats in the League’s official store.
- Confirm how each player will use a card at the table.
- Check your tile inventory separately; the 152-tile breakdown and spare-tile comparison answer different equipment questions.
- Use the official rules or your instructor for playing decisions. A retailer’s equipment guide is a buying aid.
Questions before buying a card
Is the annual card included with Joker & Jade tiles?
The current NMJL card is a separate purchase from our tiles. Check the product option for the equipment supplied with your order.
Can a decorative tile set replace the annual card?
The tile faces identify the tiles; the annual card lists the hands for its ruleset. They have different purposes. Read the names used for the tiles.
What changes from one year to the next?
The League publishes its Standard Hands and Rules Card each year. Check its description of the annual card and current official instructions. Your existing tiles still need to match the game’s equipment requirements.
Continue choosing your set
First-set buying guide · Product and order FAQ · Browse Mahjong designs
Editorial review: Joker & Jade, 21 October 2026. This is a retailer’s equipment guide. For NMJL-style rules and the current card, consult the National Mah Jongg League. About Joker & Jade.