Guides
NMJL cards for American Mahjong
Short guide for U.S. / NMJL-style players: the yearly card comes from the League, not from the tile box. We sell holders, sleeves, and line finders so your official card stays readable — with an honest no-affiliation note.
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In one line
League card → holders → racks & mat (à la carte)
We never invent a year-specific reprint, scorecard SKU, or NMJL affiliation. We are not an official NMJL store — “sized for NMJL cards” means fit and play style only.
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Step 1. Confirm American ~166 format for your group
NMJL-style play expects American Mahjong tiles with jokers (~166). Chinese ~144 sets are a different format — confirm the listing before you buy.
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Step 2. Buy the current official card from the League or your club
We do not sell, reprint, or bundle the official NMJL card. Get the current year from the League or your club. We never invent a year-specific reprint.
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Step 3. Add holders, sleeves, or line finders
Four acrylic holders or PVC sleeves keep the card upright and clean. Optional line finders help track a hand. Example cards in photos are for fit only — not included.
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Step 4. Complete the table à la carte
Add four acrylic racks with pushers, a non-slip mat, and optional dice/wind kit from Accessories. Follow the beginner starter order if you are new.
What the NMJL card is
The National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) publishes an annual card of hands used by many American Mah Jongg groups. Players call exposures and plan Charleston exchanges against that year’s lines. The card is updated every year — it is not a permanent rulebook printed inside a tile set, and we do not invent a specific year label on this page.
American ~166 vs other styles
NMJL-style hands assume American Mahjong tiles (~166 with jokers). That is different from Chinese / Hong Kong sets (often ~144) and Japanese riichi. If your club plays “by the card,” start with American format tiles, then add the official League card. Decision help: how to choose · 166 vs 144 · beginner starter order.
Yearly cards are sold separately
On Ersashopline, American Mahjong tile sets are titled for tiles (and packaging named honestly in the listing). We do not include, reprint, or resell the official NMJL card with sets or with card-holder SKUs. Buy the current year from the League or your club, then protect it with accessories from our shop.
Independence note: Ersashopline is an independent retailer. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or a publisher for the National Mah Jongg League. “NMJL-style” and “sized for NMJL cards” describe fit and play style only.
Holders, sleeves, and line finders
Most tables want one holder or sleeve per player so the card stands upright and stays clean during Charleston and exposures. Shop the full row on Table essentials · NMJL:
- White acrylic rule-card holders (4-pack) — classic acrylic stands for a full table.
- Tortoiseshell acrylic card holders (4-pack) — same job with a warmer acrylic look.
- Clear PVC card sleeves (4-pack) — fold-over spill protection; cards pictured are examples only and not included.
- Holographic PU leather card holder — single soft holder for travel or one dedicated player.
- Multicolor acrylic line finders (4-pack) — slide a window over the hand you are building; official card still sold separately.
Pair with racks & table essentials
Card gear sits next to the rest of an honest American table: four acrylic racks with pushers, a non-slip mat, dice, and optionally a dealer/wind marker kit.
Quick checklist
NMJL card night
- Buy the current official card from the League or your club
- Add four holders, sleeves, or line finders (cards not included)
- Confirm tile sets are American / ~166 format for your group
- Optional: racks, mat, dice, wind marker kit from Accessories
- Remember: we are not affiliated with the NMJL
Quick answers
NMJL card FAQ
Answers share the same facts as the site FAQ where topics
overlap (racks, NMJL, gaps, shipping) — we do not invent a second policy. Prefer gift deep hashes
(#gift-chooser / #gift-notes); bare /gift drops the hash on redirect.
Do you sell the official NMJL card? Does it change every year?
We do not sell the official National Mah Jongg League card. The League publishes a new card of hands each year — buy the current card from the League or your club (we do not invent or reprint a year-specific card). Ersashopline is an independent retailer and is not affiliated with the NMJL. We sell card holders, sleeves, and line finders so your official card stays readable — cards pictured for fit are not included. Full walkthrough: NMJL cards guide. Format help: how to choose · 166 vs 144. New host? Beginner starter.
How many tiles are in an American Mahjong set?
A standard American Mahjong (Mah Jongg) set has about 166 tiles, including jokers used for NMJL-style hands. That differs from many Chinese sets (often ~144) and Japanese riichi sets. Read each listing for American format when you play with a yearly NMJL card. See how to choose · 166 vs 144, the NMJL cards guide, and the beginner starter.
What accessories complete a starter table?
Most players add four acrylic racks with pushers, a non-slip mat, NMJL card holders or sleeves, dice, and a dealer/wind marker kit. Soft travel cases, aluminum hard cases, and a tile cleaning cloth are optional. Shop Table essentials — no fake rack+mat claims on tile PDPs. Official NMJL card is sold by the League, not us (NMJL guide) — we are not affiliated with the NMJL. Checklist: beginner starter · how to choose · mat & racks. Wipe care: FAQ · tile care. Gifts: prefer gift chooser hashes — bare /gift drops the hash on redirect.
Do your sets include racks and a mat?
No — unless a title and pack shot clearly say otherwise. Our themed sets are sold as tiles (and any packaging named in the title). Acrylic racks with pushers, table mats, card holders, dice, and travel bags are listed separately so we never invent “complete” bundles. Shop Table essentials · racks, mat, and the mat & racks guide. Decision help: how to choose · wipe: FAQ · tile care.
Is Ersashopline affiliated with the National Mah Jongg League?
No. Ersashopline is an independent retailer of American Mahjong tiles and accessories. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or a publisher of the NMJL. Buy the current official card directly from the League or your club. More on the site FAQ · NMJL card.
Why buy a new NMJL card every year?
The League updates the hands on the card annually. Clubs that play “by the card” expect the current year so exposures and Charleston stay consistent. Keep a prior year’s card for practice if you like, but bring the current official card to league-style tables. We do not invent or reprint year-specific cards. More on the site FAQ · NMJL card.
What accessories help with the NMJL card?
Most tables use acrylic rule-card holders (set of four), clear PVC sleeves for spill protection, a holographic PU leather holder for travel, and optional acrylic line finders. Pair with four racks, a mat, dice, and a dealer/wind marker kit — all sold separately on Accessories Table essentials. We do not invent official scorecard or year-card SKUs. More on the site FAQ · NMJL card.
Do card holders include the score card?
No. Our listings may show example cards for size and fit only. Official cards are not included and are not reprinted by us. Buy the League card, then slide it into a holder or sleeve from Accessories. More on the site FAQ · NMJL card.
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