American Mah Jongg Lesson Fundamentals 5 Reading the Card (mock card)

[@MAHJLIFE]

The mock card is in the video description. You can also find it in the downloads section of this wiki article with other helpful tips and tools: mahjlife.com/wiki/american-mah-jongg-article-162/ There is a typo in the screenshot at kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYjcmKGmm6uVg7M. The text should read, any three suits.

[@2karencraig]

Thanks for the video explaining the C St the end!!! You are an excellent teacher. Like you go over and over something!!!!!

[@j.d.2584]

Michelle, I am new to the game, but I must tell you how helpful your videos are to explaining the format, etc. You are so calming. Thank you so much.

[@constancelee2632]

Michelle, Thank you for your wonderful videos and making me feel like... I can do this!

[@gracerael4831]

Thank you for your Easy to Follow basics of Mah Jongg It really helped to refresh my memory but you explained some things I didn't know from when I first learned to play.

[@lynnschweitzerfriedmanmd3041]

Michelle thanks for these videos!! Just had a lesson with a friend and it was somewhat confusing, but so far you have made this SOOOOO interesting and easy. to learn.

[@MAHJLIFE]

Welcome to the game and thanks for the compliment :)

[@sydneynerstad5194]

Thank you, thank you. Just started playing and I was completely lost.

[@gailsackett3355]

Thank you for being so helpful. I am just learning the game.

[@barleyhops38]

This is a fabulous fabulous video! Thanks so much, you are such a great teacher. I'm binge watching and have subscribed with a bell for notifications.

[@MAHJLIFE]

There is an error in the presentation at 26:42 with the text in the parenthesis for the fourth Consecutive Run hand being any one suits, it's mixed suits.

[@kimberlyparsons6309]

Thank you! I was just heading to the comments to figure out what I missed. :) These videos are WONDERFUL - and everyone makes mistakes. Thanks so much for all of this. I’m trying to learn by myself to teach some friends because we got a wild hare about playing.

[@DeniseB99]

I just started learning and this video is so helpful! Thanks

[@MAHJLIFE]

Excellent! Feel free to leave a comment under videos if you have questions :)

[@owenandpattiholiday7491]

Thank you Michele. I am new to Mah Jongg. Although I am taking in person classes, I love your online classes. I am working through each of them and going back and doing them again. That is the beauty of your online classes. Thank you again, PH

[@MAHJLIFE]

My pleasure, Patti. Welcome to the game :)

[@ruthanneroth6986]

So helpful. The videos on this channel are amazing - a MUST for anyone learning!

[@MAHJLIFE]

Glad you think so!

[@naturesmagic8430]

So. This may be covered in the next few videos, but I didn't see the answer at this time. At about 31:00 you are talking about using a discarded tile to complete your concealed hand for a Mah Jongg. Can you use any tile that was discarded during previous plays or can you only use the last tile that was discarded? Thank you.

[@MAHJLIFE]

Only the last discard can be claimed for an exposure or mah jongg.

[@jennychowdhury7302]

Thank you for this video! It really helped demystify the card.

[@MAHJLIFE]

Reading the card is the first hurdle for every new American mah jongg player! I'm happy it helped you :)

[@carrolleenhunt320]

Michelle, can you answer a question for me please. I am just learning the game and the card hand I selected off the 2019 hand was the first hand under the 2019 which was FFFF 2019 111 999. The lady teaching me said I could not take a tile that someone discarded to create the numbers under the hand as the 2019. As an example, I had the 2, the 0 and the one. I needed a 9 of dots and someone laid, but she said I could not take it that I would had had to draw the 9. This makes no sense, and can you confirm she is correct.

[@MAHJLIFE]

Hi Corrolleen, welcome to the game! You can claim a discard to complete any block of 3 or more identical tiles. Since 2019 is a block of single tiles, a discard cannot be claimed to complete it unless the hand is ready to win.

[@user-vr8wz9jb9f]

Hi, Michelle, I just started this fabulous game 3 months ago at my local senior center and ended up purchasing a set, however, since its 2022 some or your vignettes don't match my card, do you have vignettes for 2022?

[@jillf24]

Thank you -such amazing clarity after watching your video!!!!

[@MAHJLIFE]

My pleasure! All questions welcome on your journey to learn this great game :)

[@c.m.6961]

I'm a total newbie and am thoroughly enjoying your videos; thank you so much! My question is: what is the rationale behind changing the card and hands every year? Is it because players master getting the hands and the Nat'l Mah Jongg League wants to make it challenging to all or what is the reason?

[@MAHJLIFE]

Welcome to the game and thanks for watching my videos! The reason why the NMJL creates an annual card is twofold; they want to keep the game fresh for the players and they want to and they want to raise money for charities.

[@c.m.6961]

@@MAHJLIFE oh, ok! Thank you Michelle!

[@somejailnursedontask4658]

Super helpful, wish I could have pulled it up months ago. You’re great Michelle.

[@MAHJLIFE]

I'm so glad you found this helpful :)

[@janballard6792]

Great video. Thanks for explaining the game.

[@cherico6045]

In all your examples of YEAR hands, you use 2018,2019 or 2020. If my card is the 2018 card, must the year be 2018? Could one do 1044 as a year?

[@MAHJLIFE]

Cheri Coulter yes, any year can be used.

[@LarrySchneider]

Thank you for this! So whenever I see YYYY, can that be any year or only the current year? If any year, could it truly be ANY 4-digit number (e.g., 1492)?

[@MAHJLIFE]

I wanted to use a timeless mock American mah jongg card so I used YYYY so that no matter when someone watches the videos, the card would apply. For example, when I made these videos in 2018, viewers used those tiles for the year. At the time of this comment, we would use 2021. Players cannot use any year they want because the annual cards with a category for the year would use specific tiles for the current year.

[@LarrySchneider]

@@MAHJLIFE As always, I very much appreciate your prompt response. You are truly an amazing resource for the Mah Jongg community. I'm just getting into the game (can't you tell?), and your videos are a godsend. Thank you again!

[@MAHJLIFE]

@@LarrySchneider Thank you for the encouragement! It's truly my pleasure :)

[@Ejy64]

You are an excellent teacher!

[@vixyswillie]

Hi Michele - Question about switching hands after exposing a pung or kong. Let's say I'm playing an exposed hand from the card, which contains a pung of 9 bams. During game play, I call a discarded 9 bam to complete the pair of 9 bams I have in my hand and expose the pung of 9 bams as required. As game play progresses, however, let's say I have to bail on my original hand. Since I have already exposed my pung of 9 bams, would I be prohibited from switching to a concealed hand if it also contains a pung of 9 bams? Or would I be prohibited from switching to ANY concealed hand (because of my previous exposure)? I hope that makes sense! Thanks for clarifying.

[@MAHJLIFE]

Great question! Once you have an exposure, you must play an exposable hand (hands with an X). In other words, you cannot call a discard to expose/meld a block of tiles if you are playing a concealed hand (hands with a C). Also, an exposure cannot be changed after discarding with the exeption of exchanging jokers.

[@vixyswillie]

@@MAHJLIFE Perfect - thank you so much for your always speedy and helpful replies!

[@gretchenviney5248]

How would I create the year in bams? What would serve as the zero? The white dragon?

[@MAHJLIFE]

When playing a year hand, zero's may be needed so the White Dragons are converted to a number tile so it no longer corresponds to the Dot suit. For example, Year #1 could be 222 Dot 0000 222 Bam 3333 Crak and Year #3 could be FFFF DDD White 2023 Dots DDD Green.

[@Sherileeaz1]

? Hi Michelle, your tutorials are awesome! Thank you. My ? - Are your lessons for American mahjongg same as National, so some one new to mahjongg can learn the basics by watching your new American Mahjongg videos? - Sheri

[@MAHJLIFE]

The fundamentals playlist which teaches everything you need to know to play the game will take 4 hours and 20 minutes watchtime.

[@MAHJLIFE]

These lessons are all for American Mah Jongg and are based on a mock American Mah Jongg Card (goo.gl/ykAzEY). Since American mah jongg cards use the same conventions (i.e., colors, letters, numbers, format, layout) and are published on an annual basis, the lessons in this playlist are generic and timeless so everything you learn can be applied to any card and any given year. Download the mock card and watch all the videos until you are comfortable with the basics. Then, buy your American Mah Jongg card and study the combinations for the current year. As you study, practice, and play you will gain confidence and build your skills :)

[@karenneedles5714]

Kudos for the mock card! Awesome tutorial, Michelle; well done!! Your service to the MJ community is sooo appreciated!

[@MAHJLIFE]

Absolutely! Start with fundamentals 🤓

[@brdwyguy]

Question on/about the Card. I understand the 'X' and the 'C' designation, but what happens if I decide mid-game to switch from an 'X' to a 'C' line? let's say I am trying to save for a 'C' line but have not put anything on my visible rack? If I claim a call and switch to an 'X' line, is that legal? or even vice-a-versa, If I was working on a 'C' line and decide to an 'X' line, am I allowed to switch when I see a tile I want to 'Call'? hope this makes sense? Is a person allowed to change which line they are working on if the tiles exposed are also on that string? Or is one locked into that string on the card? I guess what I am asking is, if I keep switching back and forth between a line on the card from an 'X' line to a 'C' line or 'C' line to an 'X' line how does it all affect the 'Call' option?

[@MAHJLIFE]

When playing a concealed hand, all the tiles need to be drawn from the wall to develop the hand to a ready position. When a player is ready to win, they can declare mah jongg if theyr winning tile is discarded or they can pick their winning tile from the wall. Staying concealed as long as possible allows a player to be agile because with no exposures, they have the freedom to make any switch (i.e., category, hand, exposed hand). The risk is that tiles needed for the hand are discarded or used in exposures. This why it's important to monitor weaknesses (i.e., gaps, singles that need to be pairs, pairs that need to be a bigger multiple) to help with decisions on switching to an option with greater potential. When playing an expsable hand, a player picks tiles from the wall but they can also calli discards to complete exposures which can expedite the devleopment of the hand. The risks are that each exposure limits the options because exposures cannot be changed after the player discards and each exposure gives other players information about the hand in development.

[@brdwyguy]

so can a player who has an exposed hand switch to a nonexposible hand even tho they have exposible tiles.@@MAHJLIFE so as you can see my questions are starting to get more complicated LOL Can someone use 3 Jokers as a pong and designate it as 3 Winds, and can they swap out a Joker to a true Wind tile if that meld is exposed?

[@cjguarino54]

Thank you so much for your videos - I am addicted to them and they have been so helpful in learning the game and strategy. I have a Question about the 2018 Card - Any Like Numbers Category Our official 2018 cards do not have (Any Like Numbers) printed next to the 3 hand options under the Any Like Number Category. Your demo card does have that specification but I am not sure what year card you are using. Much of your strategy is around Like Numbers as well. Subsequently I was called out yesterday when I tried to play one of the hands under Any Like Numbers using another number (2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9) Other new players said we were taught only 1's could be used as shown on the 2018 card. I cannot find anything to support this on line and your videos always show using any numbers for this category Some of your videos show Any Like Numbers written next to the hands under that category. Did the card change? Is there anywhere to find an official ruling for the 2018 card so we know we are playing by official rules?

[@MAHJLIFE]

I'm so happy to hear that you like the videos! For Like Numbers, no matter what card or year it is, Like Numbers must include blocks of tiles using the same number but the number can be any number you choose 9:26

[@jingles2859]

Thanks loads!!! U r wonderful!! Cu deserve a big raise. I want to donate ???

[@ajaebi7101]

hi michelle, i was trying to find your video of the "new 2018 "card that you had given the explanation for all categories. Maybe you can help clarify something for us. Pertaining to quints....first hand, it says and wind any dragon any number, can the any wind include a quint of flowers or stricktly N,E,W,S? i recall you stating that it could be flowers am i mistaken? cheers and thanx, Camille.

[@MAHJLIFE]

Hi Camille! For the first quint, no Flowers are used and the text in the parenthesis describes the flexibility for this hand - you can use any Wind, any Dragon, with any numbered tile. Here is a link to the new card analysis goo.gl/T1a5RT

[@guitargirl1500]

At minute 27.24, please explain how to know the DD is the missing suit. Thank you

[@MAHJLIFE]

The 5th hand down in the slide beginning at 24:04 requires two kongs and a pair of dragons with NEWS. The Ds are shown in red, green, and blue and the text in the parentheses says the dragons can be in any combination so you decide which dragon is the pair and which dragon is each kong. For example, you could have green dragons for the first kong, a pair of white dragons, and a kong of red dragons with NEWS. Change in color means change in suit or in this case, dragons.

[@owenandpattiholiday7491]

Regarding a "C" Concealed Hand; does this mean you cannot CALL a discarded tile to complete any suit and only CALL if it gives you Mah Jongg?

[@MAHJLIFE]

Correct. In other words, you have to build the hand by picking tiles from the wall. When you are ready to win, you can win by self-pick from the wall or by calling a discard.

[@MMeehan-dg8po]

Wanted to join the FB group you mentioned in the video but I can't seem to find it. Can you point me in the right direction. Thanks. Enjoying your videos immensely.

[@sharonkbutz3754]

Could you make the print larger? This is small print to follow on the cards.

[@emilywest1263]

Hi - just started watching, thanks for these videos... just a tad more clarification on whether the year played has to be the current year or can be any year. Is it only for a year hand that the year has to be a current year and for any other type of hand a year can be any year? or is it that the year can be any year regardless of the type of hand?

[@MAHJLIFE]

On the American mah jongg card, the Year category uses numbers that represent the current year :)

[@lynnedwards2036]

Thanks for the card overview. Very helpful! In singles, pairs you said no jokers. What about for the last line?

[@MAHJLIFE]

Lynn Edwards my pleasure. I don’t understand your question regarding the “last line”? Can you elaborate?

[@MAHJLIFE]

There is an error in the presentation at 27:30; this is a hand in mixed suits - three colors, means three suits :)

[@fgreenmusic207]

In the parenthesis section of the video, 4th hand. It says Any 1 suit. It should read Any 3 suits, as it does on the mock card.

[@MAHJLIFE]

There is a note about this in the video description. I'll also add it as a pinned post for future viewers :)

[@TamiWiggs]

I can’t find your Facebook group Mahjong Central. When I search FB it doesn’t come up.?.

[@MAHJLIFE]

I operated under Mahjong Central until October 2021 and rebranded as Mahj Life. Here is a link to my Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/michelefrizzell

[@erinsnead4560]

Hi Michele! I have a question about 13579s you mentioned the variations go from 1 - 3 - 5 or 5 - 7 - 9. Is there a reason 3 - 5 - 7 isn't valid?

[@julieurosevich2705]

Is there an order we are to read and learn from the lessons? I would like to start at the very beginning. Thank you, Julie Urosevich

[@mahjcon]

There is information in the video description including an index of videos in the playlist in a recommended order. If you are on a laptop or computer, click SHOW MORE under my name. If you are on a mobile device, tap the down-arrow under the right corner of the video.

[@rozzykushner8667]

Thank you so much. Your video is great for a beginner!

[@MAHJLIFE]

My pleasure, Rozzy, welcome to the game!

[@thereseduggan1742]

very new to the game; I would have like you to show examples with the tiles themselves

[@MAHJLIFE]

This is a progressive lesson with tiles in the following videos so please keep watching :)

[@lylecameron5578]

Wow....fantastic. My wife is teaching me and your video helped a LOT! I subscribed too :)

[@MAHJLIFE]

Lyle Cameron that you and welcome to the game! 🤓

[@juliedownie5330]

Michele, I’m watching your video on the card. So the colors coordinate green and red are bams and cracks. But the numbers are such as in the 2468 second row down, can those number such as 22 46 88 those numbers have to be bams but can they be any even numbers, not just 22 46 or two 8’s?

[@MAHJLIFE]

The colors on the card do not indicate a specific suit - you decide which suits to use. Using Evens #2 color 1: 22 44, color 2: 666 888, color 3: DDDD, number tiles in two suits must be used with the dragon for the missing suit: 22 44 Cracks 666 888 Bams with a kong of White Dragons.

[@helenekatz1412]

Thanks Michele your video are so helpful

[@MAHJLIFE]

My pleasure 🤓

[@elizabethausten-b8f]

bought paperback - but wanted digital so i could down load presentations - pages would not fomat correctly - what is best way for me to get the pdf or pwer pt u used i want to write notes along with your talking - i am happy to buy the book and digital but when i bought the digital didnt fit my screen -

[@MAHJLIFE]

Please download this presentation handout and let me know by email ([e-mail]) if it helps: tinyurl.com/thrau6us

[@mendymarks5619]

Thank you...this is a great one for me as a beginner!

[@MAHJLIFE]

My pleasure, welcome to the game!

[@debporter1]

On the 2020 card, section called "2020"...1st line: FF 2020 2222(Red) 2222(black)... - do the numbers following the 2020 have to be a "2", or any even number, or any number at all?? I can't tell from the card. thank you. Deb Porter

[@c.m.6961]

Hi Michele, at 26.40 mins you explain the 4th hand. In the parenthetical it says 'any 4 con #'s'-which I understand, but what I don't understand is why it says 'any 1 suit' yet it is in 3 colors, and when you explain you say the 1's & 2's are in bams, the 3's and 4's are in cracks, so the D's have to be in dots (white dragon) because that's the missing suit. Why do you explain it in 3 suits when it says 'any 1 suit?' What am I missing? Thank you so much!

[@MAHJLIFE]

There is a typo in the screenshot at kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYjcmKGmm6uVg7M. The text should read, any three suits.

[@c.m.6961]

Thank you, I watched it over and over and couldn't understand.

[@MAHJLIFE]

@@c.m.6961 I’m so sorry about that. I added the timestamp to a pinned comment for future viewers.

[@c.m.6961]

No problem, rewatching made me learn! Your videos are great!

[@cherico6045]

Complete newbie here. Haven't actually played a hand yet. What is "opposite" Dragon in hand 5 on the mock card?

[@MAHJLIFE]

When Dragons are used with suited tiles (i.e., Dots, Bams, Cracks), they will be represented in a color so that you know if they need to be corresponding or opposite. For example, Consecutive Run #4 with two options, one color=one suit so the corresponding Dragon is required, and the other is mixed suits=each suit represented including the Dragon for one of those suits. FFFF 1111 Dots 2222 Dots DD White Dragons or FFFF 1111 Dots 2222 Bams DD Green Dragons.

[@christinetulipana1835]

I am a brand new very very new beginner. Your videos look great. Are they in an order for a newbie?

[@MAHJLIFE]

😊 thank you. Please look in the description for an index of videos.

[@susannemchin5235]

Im watching your video how to read a card. In single and pairs if I need a tile someone threw out can I take it?

[@MAHJLIFE]

You can call a discard to make an exposure of blocks with three or more identical tiles (e.g., pung, kong). You can only claim a discard to complete a block with single tiles (e.g., 2023, NEWS) if you are ready to win.

[@Sussy-on7gw]

In Singles & Pairs, if I have a joker, am I allowed to trade it for an exposed tile that I need?

[@MAHJLIFE]

Hi Sussy. Jokers can not be used as a single tile nor can they be used in a pair. If you have the National Mah Jongg League card, you will find this rule in the first panel on the back of the card.

[@marshiahawkins1]

Super helpful! Well done and thank you!

[@MAHJLIFE]

My pleasure Marshia and welcome to the game!

[@bugynites09]

Can the flowers FF be a 1SPR and a 2SUM, 1SPR and 1Season, or are all eight flowers the same?

[@bugynites09]

Sorry I got it lol.

[@MAHJLIFE]

I'm glad you found the answer! This is one of the differences in American mah jongg... the Flowers are not bonus tiles! They are used in many of the hands. Also the numbers and letters do not matter so any combination of Flowers can be used to make up a multiple (i.e., pair, pung, kong).

[@bugynites09]

Michele Frizzell Thank you and love what your doing !

[@betsywise4948]

Just found you. What a teacher. How do you purchase the two purple trifolds?

[@MAHJLIFE]

Welcome to the game and thank you for the encouragement! The tri-fold cards have been incorporated into my kindle e-book: mahjlife.com/books/ Check out the download section of the wiki article for other helpful tips and tools: mahjlife.com/wiki/american-mah-jongg-article-162/

[@ritakoch2666]

At around minute 11 you talk about the quints hands having fourteen tiles. I’m confused I thought only the East person starts with 14 tiles - all others have 13. So how do you come to have 14 tiles for this hand?

[@MAHJLIFE]

A winning hand is made up of 14 tiles so the hands on the card all have 14 tiles.

[@monicgordon179]

When you pick a tile can you look at it and then rack it or you rack it without looking at the tile Thanks

[@2karencraig]

I'm confused about the c at the end, meaning consecutive.

[@MAHJLIFE]

The X or C are types of hands. The X means you can claim a discard to make an exposure (i.e., meld) to expedite hand development. The C means you pick tiles from the wall for hand development then when the hand is ready to win (i.e., waiting for 1 tile), you can claim the discard to declare mah jongg.

[@maryarthur6428]

Love the detail. Thanks!

[@MAHJLIFE]

Thanks, Mary. I know that reading the card is the first challenge of the game so I spend a lot of time on it in my lessons :)

[@vikkyd5168]

LOVE your videos! I'm a newbie and have learned so much. I'm taking your recommendation and reviewing each and every hand on the 2019 card. I have a question about the ADDITION HANDS. Can I use any addend to equal the sum? For example the 2019 card has 5555 + 6666 =11. Can I instead use 2222 + 9999 = 11?

[@MAHJLIFE]

Thanks, Vikky! For Addition hands, only the numbers on the card can be used. I think they wanted to use the number 5 in each hand so that is why they are limited :)

[@vikkyd5168]

@@MAHJLIFE Thank you for your prompt reply! Again, love your site. I'm learning SO MUCH!!!

[@rosemariegarone5351]

in the 4th hand down (26;42) says any 1 suit, any 4 cons #'s. is that correct? thank you for all the videos you do. i watch them every day.

[@MAHJLIFE]

rosemarie garone on the screen, the text should say any 3 suits - three color means three suits must be represented. I made modifications to the card since the filming of this video so I apologize for the confusion. Just know that change in color means change in suit and always read the text in the parentheses for flexibility or limitation.

[@rosemariegarone5351]

@@MAHJLIFE yeah! one for me. i'm confused already you didnt do anything. i just kept looking and saying it doesnt look right but what do i know. thank you it made me feel better about my understanding how to read a card. please continue the tutorials. they are so helpful.

[@MAHJLIFE]

I made a note of the error in the video description - hopefully it won't confuse more people :}

[@MAHJLIFE]

I made a note of the error in the video description - hopefully it won't confuse more people :}

[@MAHJLIFE]

I made a note of the error in the video description - hopefully it won't confuse more people :}

[@judysbakeryandtestkitchen1654]

Watching again. picking up more. at just under minute 28, 4th line down. It shows more than one color. But you, and card, said 1 suit. ??

[@MAHJLIFE]

That is an error in the presentation. The colors indicate three suits.

[@judysbakeryandtestkitchen1654]

@@MAHJLIFE oh, Thank you so much for telling me

[@elainetirello3161]

Where to purchase the book Mahjongg Made Easy

[@MAHJLIFE]

NMJL Online store #6 www.nationalmahjonggleague.org/store.aspx#

[@elainetirello3161]

Thank you so much. I purchased it.

[@rosemarievalentine5763]

Where can i get your Mock Card to use in viewing your lessons

[@MAHJLIFE]

The mock card is in the video description. You can also find it in the downloads section of this wiki article with other helpful tips and tools: mahjlife.com/wiki/american-mah-jongg-article-162/

[@joannhansen2899]

My Mahjong set has season tiles. I did not hear you address the season tiles.

[@MAHJLIFE]

I covered flowers briefly in video #2 The Tiles kzbin.info/www/bejne/l57XaIWfZpKgo68. For convenience, all mahjong sets come with Flower tiles. There are two sets of Flowers, Seasons (1 SUM, 2 SPR, 3 AUT, 4 WIN) and Flowers (1 PLUMB, 2 ORCHID, 3 CHRYS, 4 BAMBOO). For Asian styles, the Flowers are bonus tiles and are not part of the 14-tile hand. If a player has a Flower and it is the same number as their seat for any given hand (1 EAST, 2 SOUTH, 3 WEST, 4 NORTH), they will get additional points if they win. For American mah jongg, the Seasons and Flowers together are called “Flowers”. The numbers and letters on the Flowers do not matter. If a hand calls for a Flower, indicated by an F, any Flower tile will do. Many times, sets will come with extra Flowers, Jokers, and blank tiles. Just be sure that you use only 8 Flowers and 8 Jokers.

[@vernaharris8730]

What is the significance of the flowers in A. MJ??? I've been told they are just there and you say that flowers are used for...but I never catch what they are used for...

[@MAHJLIFE]

One of the things that differentiate American Mah Jongg from all other versions is that Flowers are not bonus tiles that can give a player additional score. Instead, they are components of prescribed hands on the players card. For example, on the card the letter F stands for Flowers so if the hand is in one color on the card like this FFFF 1111 2222 3333, a player would need a kong of Flowers and three consecutive kongs in one suit.

[@vernaharris8730]

@@MAHJLIFE Thank you for the great explanation, Michele. :D

[@jdamndoe]

Thanks so much for this. You are a great teacher!! I have a couple of questions. At about 27:30 it seems like you explained this hand as 3 suits but the parenthesis says any 1 suit. Can you please elaborate?

[@MAHJLIFE]

The presentation has an error. The card has been corrected - it's any three suits. So sorry for the confusion :}

[@jdamndoe]

Michele Frizzell Thanks!!

[@Mercatoyd]

@@MAHJLIFE ... thank you for your reply..I am brand,,brand new..only seeing this game once.. I was about to ask the same question..I went back and re listened three times..then decided to check questions before asking. Thanks again for the clarification and your reply to Patricia H.

[@joannekenny1237]

Michele Frizzell ‘&

[@Slarsen5251]

I know very very little about Mah Jongg. In fact, everything I know is from your videos which I just started watching yesterday. Your videos are wonderful! I am confused about the year category. Will the year block always be for the current year of play or is it the year of the card? Thanks so much. Sharon.

[@MAHJLIFE]

The year hand using the mock card can be for the current year. The National Mah Jongg League releases their card every April so, for this year, we’ll play year hands using 2020 (I.e., 2s in one suit with White Dragons) through 3/2021.

[@Slarsen5251]

Thank you so much! Can’t wait to start playing.

[@deeelliott53]

Why does the American MahJongg card from I Love Mahj not have the years on it?

[@MAHJLIFE]

They probably don’t want to publish it annually so they left it out.

[@lisah1632]

Because it's a mock card used to learn the game, it's not an actual official card.

[@annfishelrichter7611]

Best most helpful video, thanks❤❤❤❤❤

[@MAHJLIFE]

Welcome to the game and thanks for the feedback :)

[@em1844]

Thanks so much for this video. At 19:16 in Flowers and Dragons you explain that since flowers and winds are interchangeable they are in blue. What exactly does that mean? Are flowers or winds interchangeable?

[@MAHJLIFE]

Flowers and Winds are interchangeable with suits. In other words, they are generic and will always be blue on the card. The numbered suits and Dragons will be in green, red, and blue to show change in suit.

[@Pepzsux]

Why don’t they sell a downloadable version ? What century is this ?

[@MAHJLIFE]

I understand the sentiment but I don't know the answer. My guess is that they are not tech-savvy.

[@Pepzsux]

Yeah it’s frustrating. I ordered one in June and never got it. You’d think it would be more profitable to not have to print and ship a good portion of them... this year I’m getting it from a third party as they are seriously unreliable

[@cheriives6643]

On the 2018 card, in the 2018 category, on line #2, the hand shows 2 Flowers, a 2018, then 2 Kongs of 1s in 2 different suits. The info in parantheses says that the Kongs can be 1s, 2s or 8s. My question is, since they're all 1s on the card but you may decide to go with either of the other numbers, say 8s for instance, do both Kongs have to be 8s in two suits, or is it possible to have a Kong of 2s in one suit and a Kong of 1s or 8s to comprise the second Kong? In other words, if you go with 1s, 2s or 8s, do both Kongs have to be the same number. The card is not clear on that point. Thanks.

[@MAHJLIFE]

The kongs musst be the same number. For example FF 2018 Bams 2222 Cracks 2222 Dots.

[@cheriives6643]

@@MAHJLIFE Thank you.

[@susanholmgren4010]

Michele, I've been watching all of your videos and would appreciate the code to be able to play online free for one month. Thanks, Sue

[@MAHJLIFE]

Susan Holmgren 👋 welcome yo the game! Please send me an email and I can reply with info [e-mail]

[@rosiesimon2501]

At 39:17 , 3rd down example, the parenthesis reads any 1 suit but the colors are two different colors. I’m confused? I’m a newbie

[@MAHJLIFE]

So sorry, there is an error in the presentation. Three colors means three suits.

[@ednabaldwin9765]

can you claim a discard from any position it's played

[@juliedownie5330]

Michele, what is a consecutive hand?

[@brdwyguy]

when creating a year meld - do the numbers all need to be the same color? or can they be red and green mixed?

[@MAHJLIFE]

The number tiles in a year block must be the same suit. If there is a zero in the year, a White Dragon is used. In other words, when the White Dragon is used as a zero, it is universal and is not related to a suit.

[@brdwyguy]

@@MAHJLIFE Thank You Michele - looking forward to learning the game, properly. Your videos are going to help our newbie group here in Hendersonville, NC Thanks Again

[@MAHJLIFE]

@@brdwyguy welcome to the game and enjoy the journey!

[@retrogaminggarage2241]

great video. I needed this.

[@marygrantges1350]

Can you use a joker in a pung of w?

[@ednabaldwin9765]

I was at a teaching session and I think the leader said I could use two jokers for a pair, is that correct?

[@MAHJLIFE]

That is severely incorrect... a joker cannot be part of a pair. Do you know another player at the lesson to confirm what was taught?

[@ednabaldwin9765]

@@MAHJLIFE Thank you so much, I did check with a friend and she confirmed that was what was said, I havent been able to talk to the teacher yet but I will challenge the statement if indeed that was what she meant to say. I enjoy your lessons and have joined MJ Time to practice and play. Lost my 60,000 chips but have ben getting better. I am Nanaw there, can you tell me your players name?

[@triciasimmons7216]

Why do you need to get a new card every year?

[@MAHJLIFE]

When mahjong was first imported to American in the early 1920s, some ladies in New York standardized the rules for their sisterhood. As time went on, other synagogues wanted to do the same thing so they decided to share their unique version of the game through an organization and publish the card annually with some of the proceeds going to charity. For American mah jongg players, purchasing the annual card is joy because they play a game that is refreshed annually and they have an opportunity to give back to the community. www.nationalmahjonggleague.org/charities.html

[@adamalami5731]

imo just play Mahjong Soul. Riichi mahjong in my opinion is easily the most enjoyable and easy to pick up version of the game, and you can play it online extremely easily

[@leonorareiley4303]

Extremely helpful!

[@MAHJLIFE]

Thanks, Leonora and welcome to the game :)

[@enriquemartinez5213]

Thank you very much, excelente content

[@MAHJLIFE]

Thanks, Enrique :)

[@sandrarose5917]

Very helpful

[@MAHJLIFE]

The mock American Mah Jongg card is timeless and generic. This way, no matter when someone new to the game watches the video, they will have a stable reference as they learn how to play the game. To open or download the mock-American Mah Jongg card, look for a link in the video description by clicking "show more" above.

[@lynnhiggins148]

What about the c/closed hand?

[@MAHJLIFE]

Any hand with a c means that you build the hand by drawing all the tiles needed for the hand. When you are ready to win, you can claim a discard :)

[@andrewmason8315]

Can someone explain the Joker Bait?

[@MAHJLIFE]

So sorry for the delay... Joker bait is a term coined by Tom Sloper (goo.gl/wG7YAR). Basically, joker bait is made up of multiples that you keep even if you do not need them. You discard one of the tiles from the multiple to coax an exposure with jokers. You can also hold onto single valuable tiles like Flowers and Dragons. During the pick and discard phase of the game, when someone makes an exposure with a joker using those tiles, you may be able to make an exchange using the natural tile to get the Joker. Be mindful to get rid of them before the end of the third wall. In this video, I play a game of solitaire to demonstrate the concept. The Mock American mah jongg card is used in the videos below goo.gl/MqqaUb Joker Bait I Hit or Miss goo.gl/2dqb3M Joker Bait II Etiquette and Tells goo.gl/W9xCY2 Joker Bait III Chum the Table goo.gl/4Ct7Pm

[@laurawalker546]

Thank you!

[@MAHJLIFE]

My pleasure :)

[@SheilaLightburn-ut9ig]

how to I download mock card

[@MAHJLIFE]

The mock card is in the video description. You can also find it in the downloads section of this wiki article with other helpful tips and tools: mahjlife.com/wiki/american-mah-jongg-article-162/

[@sandrarose5917]

A mock card is confusing We should be looking at the 2024 Card and learning it. You r confusing me

[@MAHJLIFE]

The mock card is used in lesson videos to make them timeless. The method of using colors letters and numbers is transferrable to any American mah jongg card. Please continue watching if you want to understand how to play with an American mah jongg card. For details about the currernt card, look under downloads in this wiki article: mahjlife.com/wiki/american-mah-jongg-article-162/

[@vickicampbell8414]

You do realize she produced this video 5 years ago, right? I think it’s brilliant that she made her tutorials timeless.

[@kc33153]

what is news?

[@MAHJLIFE]

NEWS would require a block with one of each wind so North Wind, East Wind, West Wind, South Wind.

[@susannemchin5235]

No mock card

[@MAHJLIFE]

A link is pinned at the top but here it is for convenience; look under downloads mahjlife.com/wiki/american-mah-jongg-article-162/

[@vilod]

Why does the American version use a card?

[@MAHJLIFE]

In 1937, a group of ladies in New York created the first American mah jongg card and established rules for a fundraiser at their synagogue. The card described valid combinations of tiles using blocks (single, pair, pung, kong, quint), colors (red, blue, green; change in color means change in suit [i.e., one color=one suit, two colors=two suits, three colors=three suits), letters (NEWS), and numbers (1-9) divided by categories (example attached). The game became so popular that other synagogues wanted to do fundraisers using their card, so they established the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) in 1937 and began publishing cards annually. When a player purchases the card, they become a member of the NMJL and a portion of the proceeds from card sales go to selected charities.

[@ArnellAllen]

I’m sorry but this was the most confusing explanation ever. It probably would help if you started out explaining what the letters and numbers mean. Otherwise it’s all jumbled and I can’t make heads or tails of what you’re saying.

[@MAHJLIFE]

You may have missed previous lessons where the letters and numbers were explained. There is an index of the lessons in the video description.

[@carls1977]

@@MAHJLIFE I also thought this video was very confusing as well!! I see your reply, but maybe you should have noted previous lesson videos to simply learn how to read the dang card itself. That is where I am finding the most problems. Deciphering what the hands are and to actually show tiles not just words, but show actual tiles that meet the criteria for that hand. Some of us are better learners with visuals. That would be most helpful... I might also add since I just went to look at all your videos. I couldn't find the one you mention above to Arnell. Maybe you can go back and label them numerically so the novice can see.... oh this is the very first video I should watch, then this one and so on. Make it chronological if you really want to help people, right? Kind of like what an author does when he/she has more than one book in a series so the reader can read them chronologically. Just a thought.

[@MAHJLIFE]

​@@carls1977 There is an index of the lessons in the video description including how to read the card. After you're comfortable with the fundamentals, I have many videos that start with presentations followed by gameplay with commentary to demonstrate hand development and tactical decision-making. mahjlife.com/wiki/amj-s2-matrix-article-210/

[@carls1977]

@@MAHJLIFE can you please answer this because I cannot find simple answers. ugh! I am playing on the computer on the realmahjongg site. I am trying to play the hand winds and dragons (FF DDDD NEWS DDDD) (Any 2 Dragons) Based on this description I should have Mah jongg with this hand I currently have, right? (FF, 4 Green Dragons, NEWS, 4 White Dragons) Why is my hand NOT winning? Aren't white dragons considered a dragon? If not, then why the heck do they call them dragons?

[@MAHJLIFE]

@@carls1977WHICH platform are you playing on? Check to see if you selected the right card. When white dragons are not in a year block with single tiles (e.g., 2024), the are dragons. It sounds like you have the right tiles. Did you use a joker in NEWS?

[@dkayfellows]

Sorry. You're very confusing

[@MAHJLIFE]

can you share what it was that you found confusing?

[@MAHJLIFE]

I wonder if you missed the prevoius five lessons. Links are in the video description :)

[@lisah1632]

I don't think so, I think she's very clear.

[@lisashap3007]

Thank you!