Every time a beginner sits down for open play, the same overwhelming feeling rushes over them: Which hand should I try to play?
In my introductory lessons I teach how to break down the NMJL card. I explain the sections, emphasize the parentheses, stress that color matters and point out my favorite lines.
The only way that choosing lines and navigating the card gets easier is with practice. So even though the beginner knows how to read the card, they are often feeling like a deer in headlights.
Pick a favorite line
We all want to win, but until you really feel like you know what you are doing, you might need to pare down the card. Pick a favorite line. I have a friend that played the same line every single game in 2024: FF 1111 NEWS 1111. She didn’t play very often and she had a rough year. The 2024 card just wasn’t something she felt like investing in learning while she battled health issues and business challenges. It made it easy to play defensively, but the other players focused on themselves and tried a new challenging hand for themselves. If she won and had the luck she needed, we celebrated her because honestly, we knew she needed a win. We will see what line she sticks to on the 2025 NMJL card.
Avoid concealed hands
I often tell beginners that it is just not worth it to try for a concealed hand until they feel very comfortable. Leave concealed hands for something to try when you know the card and tiles well.
Just say no to lines with singles and pairs
Jokers are always a great place to start for beginners. Pick lines that have a pung (3) or kong (4) in every meld. More experienced players that know the cards and are intently watching tiles that have been thrown can pivot lines. The pivot that a beginner should use is to replace jokers with tiles that have been thrown. Until you are ready to take off the training wheels, stick with pungs and kongs.
Odds & Evens and 369
The 2025 NMJL card is easier than 2024 in my opinion. I look at my tiles and instantly know if I'm looking in three main sections, the evens, the odds and 369. Within those hands, I can pivot.
Read the parentheses carefully and keep your options open within the even, odd or 369 section during the Charleston. I have only had this card a short time, but I am gravitating towards those lines. Any like numbers and the consecutive runs were the most flexible hands in 2024.
I find that I am taking the numbers more literally as printed on the 2025 NMJL card.
Fake it until you make it
My mom was so nervous the first time she played at an open play. She is in her mid 70s and I had given her like two basic lessons… which were often interrupted by kids and husbands. She wanted to join in on the Tiles before Turkey event, so she sat at the table, put her glasses on so she looked really focused, and she pretended. My mom is sly like a fox. She quietly passed during the Charleston and just collected jokers and flowers. She caused two wall games that day by collecting what everyone needed without any plan. She may not have won, but defense is a strategy too!
Join free open plays
If you are a beginner, seek out free and friendly open plays. Find other players that welcome all levels of experience and don't mind guiding you through the Charleston. If you sign up for paid open plays, you may annoy some of the higher level players that have also paid to play. They may not want to spend their time helping another player when they have paid $50 for a seat. I offer these free and friendly games in Chicago, Nashville and Lake Geneva.
Mahjong can be intimidating and definitely has a learning curve. Just remember that all players started out as beginners and more often than not, they will help you and give you tips to choose a line on the NMJL card.
