A Resource Library by Mockingbird & Magnolia
The
Mahjong
Studio
"Pull up a chair. Everything you need is right here."
This is the home for every strategy guide, card breakdown, and class handout we've put together, all in one place and open to everyone. No login, no email required. Here's how to find what you need:
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Search by Stage
Not sure where to start? Open the stage you're in, from before you sit down to what to practice between games.
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Stage 2 of 5
Starting the Game
Dealing, the Charleston, and picking your hand
Stage 2 of 5
Starting the Game
Dealing, the Charleston, and picking your hand
How to select East, deal the tiles, work the Charleston and courtesy pass, and choose the hand you'll play.
How It Works
- 1Determine East. One player is designated East for the hand, often by rolling dice. East deals first and plays first each round.
- 2Deal the tiles. East deals 14 tiles to themselves and 13 to each other player, building everyone's starting hand on their rack.
- 3Run the Charleston. Players pass three tiles right, then across, then left, with each pass after the first optional, trading toward a hand on the card.
- 4Pick your hand. Using the NMJL card, choose the hand you'll aim for based on what landed in your rack after the Charleston.
Resources For This Stage
2026 Charleston Discard Strategies
A step-by-step framework for what to pass during the Charleston and what to protect at all costs. Based on the actual math of the 2026 NMJL card.
Read and Download →The Find Your Hand Framework
A repeatable process for choosing your hand at the start of every game. Stop staring at your tiles and start playing with intention from the very first pass.
Read and Download →How to Do a Joker Exchange
Every joker sitting in someone else's exposure is fair game. This guide covers all five rules that govern the swap, plus the etiquette note that comes up in every single Mahjong 101 class we teach.
Read and Download →No resources in this stage match your search. Try a different keyword or clear the filter.
Stage 1 of 5
Before the Game
What to know before you sit down
Stage 1 of 5
Before the Game
What to know before you sit down
What you need to play, how to set the table, and the words you'll hear before a single tile is drawn.
How It Works
- 1Gather what you need. Four players, a rack each, and the current year's NMJL card. A mahjong set has 152 tiles plus jokers, used at every table.
- 2Build the wall. Each player stacks their own tiles into a wall facing the center, two tiles deep and 19 tiles long, so there's a wall on all four sides before play begins.
- 3Learn the lingo. Words like wall, rack, exposure, and joker come up before a single tile is drawn. The terms cheat sheet below covers the rest.
Resources For This Stage
Mahjong Terms Cheat Sheet
Every word, call, and phrase you will hear at the table, explained in plain English. The must-have reference for new players.
Notify Me When AvailableThe Unspoken Etiquette of American Mahjong
The rules are in the book. The etiquette is not. Everything you need to know about how to conduct yourself at the table before, during, and after the game.
Read and Download →No resources in this stage match your search. Try a different keyword or clear the filter.
Stage 3 of 5
Mid Game
Pivoting, and playing on offense or defense
Stage 3 of 5
Mid Game
Pivoting, and playing on offense or defense
What to do when your hand falls apart, how to read the card for your best options, and when to play offensively versus defensively.
How It Works
- 1Track the discards. Watch what's being thrown and called. That tells you what's still available and what you should avoid feeding.
- 2Reassess and pivot. If your hand isn't coming together, look back at the card for a nearby hand that shares more of your tiles.
- 3Choose offense or defense. Decide whether to keep pushing for your hand or play safe and avoid feeding a player who's close to winning.
Resources For This Stage
Top 8 Pivot Hands for 2026
When your first hand falls apart, where do you go? This guide shows the 8 best pivot pairings on the 2026 card and how many tiles they share, so you can switch fast and stay in the game.
Read and Download →The Ink vs The Math: 2026 Edition
The NMJL card has 72 printed hands. But those 72 lines create 1,077 playable combinations. This guide shows you which sections give you the most ways to win and where to focus your energy.
Read and Download →Offensive vs. Defensive Play
How to read the table and know when to push for your hand versus when to play safe and protect your position.
Notify Me When AvailableNo resources in this stage match your search. Try a different keyword or clear the filter.
Stage 4 of 5
End Game
How you actually get mahjong
Stage 4 of 5
End Game
How you actually get mahjong
Calling mahjong, confirming a winning hand, and what happens at the table in the final moments of a game.
How It Works
- 1Confirm your hand. Double check every tile against the card. Your hand has to match a printed hand exactly, including any required jokers.
- 2Call Mahjong. Once your hand is complete, call it out at the table so play stops and your hand can be checked.
- 3Show your hand. Lay your tiles out so the table can confirm the win matches the card before scoring.
Resources For This Stage
How to Call Mahjong
What to check before you call, how to confirm your hand is complete and matches the card, and what to do if it doesn't.
Notify Me When AvailableNo resources in this stage match your search. Try a different keyword or clear the filter.
Stage 5 of 5
In Between Games
Keep sharpening on your own time
Stage 5 of 5
In Between Games
Keep sharpening on your own time
How to practice between sessions, including solitaire mahjong and playing online.
How It Works
- 1Review the hand. Think back on what worked and what you'd do differently, especially around the Charleston and pivot points.
- 2Practice solo. Use solitaire mahjong to keep your tile recognition and card-reading sharp without a full table.
- 3Study the card. Spend a few minutes with the current NMJL card so you recognize hands faster at your next session.
Resources For This Stage
Solitaire Mahjong Visual Aid and Instructions
Practice tile recognition and card reading on your own. Includes a printable visual aid to play along with and step-by-step instructions to get started.
Read and Download →Practicing on ilovemahj.com
A quick-start guide to playing American mahjong online between in-person sessions, so you can keep your skills sharp any time.
Notify Me When AvailableNo resources in this stage match your search. Try a different keyword or clear the filter.
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