The 2026 NMJL Card: What to Know
The National Mah Jongg League releases a new card every April, and you need the current year's to play. Here's what changes, what doesn't, and how to learn the new hands fast.
The National Mah Jongg League publishes a brand-new card every April. You'll want the current year's card to play the current hands — but an older card still works fine, as long as everyone at the table plays the same one.
What changes each year
The specific hands change every year. The broad categories tend to return, but the exact number patterns and point values within them are refreshed annually. That's by design: it keeps the game fresh and gives experienced players something new to learn every spring.
What doesn't change
Almost everything else stays the same: the tiles, the Charleston, how Jokers work, calling and exposing, and the core rules. So your skills carry straight over from year to year — you're really just learning a new set of hands, not a new game.
Where to get the card
Order directly from the National Mah Jongg League. They offer a standard size and a large-print version, and the card is inexpensive — the one thing you can't play without.
How to learn the new card fast
The fastest way to get comfortable with a new card is to practice reading it — matching tiles to hands until it's second nature. Once you can read the shorthand, a new card takes minutes to learn, not weeks.
Frequently asked questions
How often does the NMJL card change?
The National Mah Jongg League publishes a new card every April. The specific hands and point values change each year, though the broad categories tend to return.
Do I need the current year's NMJL card?
You'll want the current card to play the current hands, but an older card works fine as long as everyone at the table uses the same one.
Where do I buy the NMJL card?
Order it directly from the National Mah Jongg League. They offer a standard size and a large-print version, and it's inexpensive.