PALMA / THE BEGINNER SERIES
How to Play
American Mahjong
A friendly first look at the game, with original PALMA diagrams and references for your next step.
Get ready
For standard four-player play, gather 152 tiles, four racks, two dice and the current-year NMJL card. A mat is a helpful table accessory. This checklist describes the game; check the final Starter Kit listing for exact contents.
AMJA beginner guide ↗Meet the tiles
The three numbered suits are Dots, Bams and Craks, each running from 1 to 9. You will also see Winds, Dragons, Flowers and Jokers. Standard play uses eight Jokers. Your goal is a 14-tile hand matching one complete line on the card.
Build the walls & deal
Each player builds a wall 19 stacks long and two tiles high. Use the dice to establish the wall break. The dealer, East, starts with 14 tiles; everyone else starts with 13. After the Charleston, East makes the first discard.
AMJA rules overview ↗Pass with the Charleston
Pass three tiles Right, Across, then Left. Any player may stop before the second round begins. Otherwise complete Left, Across, then Right. Blind passing is allowed only on the final pass of each round. An optional courtesy exchange is agreed with the opposite player, up to three tiles. Never pass Jokers.
Find your rhythm
Play moves counterclockwise. Normally, draw one tile, consider your hand, then announce and discard one tile face-up. A legal call can interrupt this sequence: expose the completed group and discard. Do not call for a single or pair unless that tile completes Mah Jongg.
Use Jokers carefully
Jokers substitute only in groups of three or more identical tiles, never singles or pairs. A printed year or NEWS is not a matching group. Concealed hands cannot make ordinary exposures, but may claim the final winning tile. Consult the full rules for calls, timing and Joker exchanges.
Tom Sloper’s rules FAQ ↗Declare Mah Jongg
When all 14 tiles match one full line on your current card, declare Mah Jongg and show the hand for verification. Check the card’s suit requirements, exposures and legal Joker use. This introduction is a learning aid, not a substitute for the complete rules.
AMJA rules overview ↗Keep learning
Get the current NMJL card ↗The annual card is sold separately and is not included in the Starter Kit.
An independent PALMA learning guide, not affiliated with or endorsed by the NMJL. Reviewed November 9, 2026. Use the current card and official rules adopted by your group. No copyrighted card hands are reproduced here.
Explore the Starter Kit →