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MAHJ — Lesson 3

Reading the Card

How to decode the NMJL® card — the blueprint for every winning hand

Goal: Read every symbol, color, and pattern on the card, so you can scan it confidently mid-game

Estimated time: 12–16 minutesNeedsLesson 2UnlocksLesson 4

Why it matters: The card IS the game. Every decision — what to keep, pass, or call — comes back to the hand you're building from it.

Part 1 of 3 · Decode the Card

What Is the NMJL® Card?

Think of it as the recipe book for the year. It lists the winning hands you can build.

A new card comes out each yearThe hands change, but the way you read the card stays the same.
Your goalYour 14 tiles must match one of the hands on the card.
At the tableEveryone plays from the same year's card.

About the examples in MAHJ

We use teaching hands to show you how the card works. They are not copies of the official NMJL® card.

For real play, use the current official card.