HOW TO READ THE CARD (Article 269)

How to Read the Card

The space on the National Mah Jongg League is small, so there is limited space to provide clarity. Understanding how to read it correctly is essential to avoid misinterpretation.

Change in Colors Means Change in Suits

A change in colors on the card means a change in suit in the hand. The player chooses which colored block on the card corresponds to the suits in their hand. For example:

• If the card shows one color, the hand must have tiles in one suit.
• If the card shows two colors, the hand must have two suits following the pattern on the card.
• If the card shows three colors, the hand must have three suits following the pattern on the card.

Text in the Parentheses Provides Flexibility

If flexibility is allowed in a hand, the League will note it in parentheses. If no such note appears, the hand must be completed exactly as printed.

Examples from the 2025 card:

• Year #1 – like pungs of 2s or 5s in opposite suits
• Evens #4, #7, #8 – like multiples (e.g., pungs, kongs respectively) of any even number
• 369 #3, #5 – like kongs of 3s, 6s, or 9s
• Singles & Pairs – stand-alone pair of 3s, 6s, or 9s

If there is a contradiction between the colors on the card and the text in parentheses, the parentheses take precedence.