This list collects 50 American Mahjong glossary terms used by players who follow the NMJL card and house rules. Each entry is short and searchable. Use it at the table, when studying the yearly card, or to settle a rules question quickly.
How to use this glossary
Terms are grouped for quick scanning: game basics, tiles, melds and calls, hand and scoring phrases, Charleston and play actions, and etiquette. Definitions emphasize NMJL-style play where relevant.
Game basics (1–10)
Core terms you will see on the NMJL card and at the table.
- Mah‑Jongg card (NMJL card): The annual list of valid hands published by the National Mah Jongg League used by many American players.
- Hand: A completed set of tiles that matches one of the patterns on the NMJL card and scores a win.
- Mahjong (win): The declaration and recognition of a legal winning hand according to the card and house rules.
- Dealer: The player who deals and often begins play; dealer position usually rotates after a hand.
- Turn: A player’s opportunity to draw and then discard a tile during play.
- Wall: The stacked, face‑down tiles from which players draw during the round.
- Discard: A tile a player plays to the center when they do not or cannot use it.
- Draw: Taking a tile from the wall (or an exposed source) on your turn.
- Meld: A grouped set of tiles (pair, pung, kong) declared during play.
- Open (exposed): A meld shown to other players; exposure typically affects scoring and Joker use.
Tiles and tile names (11–18)
Quick labels for the different tile types in a standard American set.
- Dots (Circles): One of the three suits, tiles marked with circular pips.
- Bamboos: The suit commonly pictured as sticks; numbered suit used in combinations.
- Characters: The suit using Chinese characters for numbers; often called „craks“ in other traditions.
- Winds: Direction tiles (East, South, West, North); used in some American hands and etiquette.
- Dragons: The Red, Green, and White dragon tiles; they appear on many NMJL hands.
- Joker: A wild tile used in American Mahjong to substitute for many tiles, governed by special replacement rules.
- Flowers & Seasons: Optional decorative tiles found in some sets; usage depends on house rules and is not central to the NMJL card.
- Blank/White: The white dragon tile; sometimes referred to simply as White.
Melds, sets and calls (19–26)
Common formations and the words players use when creating them.
- Pair: Two identical tiles; most NMJL hands require at least one pair.
- Pung: A set of three identical tiles. Often called a „pung“ in American play.
- Kong: A set of four identical tiles. Kongs are declared and handled with special replacement rules.
- Chow: A three‑tile straight in a suit. Note: traditional chows are not part of standard NMJL card hands.
- Exposed Kong: A kong declared from tiles already shown to the table; handled differently than concealed kongs.
- Concealed (Closed): A meld or hand kept face‑down; concealed hands usually score differently.
- Substitution: Using a Joker to stand in for a missing tile in a meld, subject to NMJL replacement rules.
- Replacement Tile: A tile drawn to replace a declared kong or to substitute a Joker under the rules.
Hand types and card phrasing (27–36)
Words you will find on the NMJL card and on players’ score sheets.
- Standard Hand: A pattern that matches one of the regularly listed combinations on the NMJL card.
- Special (Limit) Hand: A high‑value or unique pattern listed on the card that typically pays more or ends the hand.
- All Pungs: A hand composed entirely of pungs (and a pair); a common scoring category across Mahjong styles.
- Flush: A hand made entirely of tiles from a single suit (plus allowed honors), often listed as a distinct card entry.
- Seven Pairs: A hand formed by seven distinct pairs; some NMJL cards include variants of this concept.
- Honors: Wind and Dragon tiles collectively; many NMJL hands specify patterns using honors.
- Mixed: A hand combining suits and honors, as opposed to a pure suit (flush).
- Pattern: The arrangement of sets and tiles required to qualify as a specific card entry.
- Wild Card Hand: A hand that uses Jokers; prize and rules for Jokers are set out on the NMJL card.
- Empty/Dead Hand: A hand that does not meet any card pattern and thus cannot win.
Charleston and play actions (37–43)
Terms related to the pre‑play exchanges and common in‑round moves.
- Charleston: The traditional passing of tiles between players before regular play begins; many American groups follow one or more rounds.
- Pass: To refuse a proposed exchange or to leave a tile unchanged during the Charleston or regular play.
- Trade: Swapping tiles with a neighbor during the Charleston rounds according to agreed order.
- Optional Charleston: A subsequent, player‑agreed passing round after the initial Charleston; house rules determine whether it runs.
- Claim: To take a discarded tile to complete a meld or win; claims can interrupt regular turn order.
- Snap/Quick Call: A rapid claim on a discard; timing rules for calls are often part of house procedure.
- Expose: To reveal a meld by placing it face‑up on the table, making it part of the open hand.
Scoring phrases and settlements (44–48)
Short labels for how hands are valued and how payoffs are handled in American groups.
- Payout: The exchange of chips, cash or points after a hand is scored according to the card and house rates.
- Table Stakes: The agreed method and amount for paying winners; specific rates are set by the playing group.
- Point Value: A numeric or tiered value assigned to a hand on the NMJL card that determines payouts.
- Split Pot: When multiple players win on the same discard or draw and the payoff is divided per house rules.
- Foul: A rule violation (misdeal, illegal tile play) that can forfeit the hand or incur penalties.
Etiquette and table procedure (49–50)
Two brief reminders that keep play smooth and civil.
- Table Etiquette: Standard courtesies—speak clearly, don’t touch other players‘ tiles, disclose claims and replacements promptly.
- Check the Card: Always confirm which year’s NMJL card and any house variations before play begins.
Notes and quick tips
Use this list as a pocket reference. The NMJL card changes yearly; vocabulary stays useful but specific hands and payouts can vary. When in doubt at a new table, ask about the card year and any house rules for Jokers, Charleston, and payouts.