NMJL
The NMJL, or National Mah Jongg League, publishes the yearly card of winning hands and the official rules that American Mahjong players follow.
Definition
The NMJL (National Mah Jongg League) is the organization that standardizes American Mahjong. Founded in 1937, it publishes a new card every year listing that year's valid winning hands. American Mahjong is played from the current card, so a new card is needed each year. The NMJL also publishes the official rules.
How It Works in Gameplay
Every player keeps a copy of the current year's NMJL card at the table. The card is organized into sections such as 2468, Quints, Consecutive Run, 13579, and Singles and Pairs. Each line on the card shows one tile pattern that wins, along with its value and whether it is concealed (C) or may have exposures (X). During play, you study the card to find a hand that fits the tiles you're collecting. Because the card changes every year, the hands you know well one year may be gone the next.
Example
You open your current NMJL card and look through the Like Numbers hands, which are built around a single number across the suits. You already hold several 3s in different suits, so you decide to go for one of those hands for the rest of the game.
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