Raising the Bar: A Call for Integrity in Mah Jongg Instruction (Article 14)

I’m deeply concerned about a trend spreading in the Mah Jongg community. Some organizations are selling expensive “certification kits” created by people new to the game. These kits include tiles with unusual designs that require a legend just to play—and instructors are using them to teach house rules as if they were official.

This is confusing new players and damaging trust in qualified instructors. Mah Jongg deserves better.

How do we protect the integrity of the game while remaining welcoming to those who don’t know what they don’t know?

Concerned in Community

Dear Concerned in the Community,

Mah jongg is a hobby without a central governing body—aside from the National Mah Jongg League, which provides the official rules and annual card. But that alone isn’t enough. This makes it all the more vital for us to set the example by practicing clarity, accuracy, and integrity. Let’s lead by example and build a community grounded in trust, not trends.

At Mahj Life, we’re committed to raising the standard, not lowering the bar. Our Instructor Guild is founded on real experience, solid principles, and complete transparency. We offer two key opportunities for instructors to distinguish themselves: the Merit Program for Instructors, where participants earn microcredentials by demonstrating their proven knowledge and skills, and the Pride in Excellence Initiative, which helps both instructors and students clearly distinguish between official rules and house rules. Together, these programs empower instructors to teach with confidence and clarity, enabling players to learn with trust and understanding.

To players: Ask questions. Before joining any class, find out which version of the game is being taught, whether house rules apply, and how the instructor was trained. You deserve to know what you’re learning.

To instructors: Be upfront about your experience and the sources you rely on. If you teach house rules or use custom tiles, be clear about that from the start. Even better—strengthen your grasp of the official rules so you can guide your students with confidence and responsibility.

This is how we protect the future of the game we love.