The card can feel like the most overwhelming part of learning American mahjong. Numbers, colors, letters, and patterns—all packed into one little card!
But remember, the card is your menu. It shows the hands you can work toward.
Start by getting familiar with the different sections and how the patterns are written. As you learn, you’ll begin to recognize what those groups of numbers and letters are asking you to collect.
One detail that trips up beginners: the colors printed on the card do not assign a specific suit such as bams, cracks, or dots. They show how suits relate within the pattern. Always read the instructions for the hand, too.
Have the current year’s card for the rules your group follows nearby as you watch.
Watch the lesson: Understanding the Mahjong Card