Definitions for Mahjong

BAMS-Bamboos. The one Bam is always a bird. Usually green.

CRAKS- Chinese characters. One of the 3 suits. Typically red.

DOTS- One of the 3 suits. Represented by circles or dots. Often Blue.

CHARLESTON- A series of passing the tiles prior to the start of a game. 

NMJL- NATIONAL MAHJONGG LEAGUE. The organization that is responsible for standardizing American Mahjong and producing THE CARD. The card is available each year, typically in April. WWW.NATIONALMAHJONGGLEAGUE.ORG 

THE CARD- THE NMJL CARD that is required to play American Mahjong.

‘C’- on the card means concealed hand and you cannot call for any discarded tiles. 

‘E’- on the card means exposed and you may call for a discarded tile. Your tiles will then be exposed on your rack.

DEAD- Once a tile is discarded, if no player calls for that tile- then it is considered “dead’ and may not be revived.

CALL- To claim a tile that has been discarded. Must be used in an exposure of 3 or more like tiles. You cannot call for a single or a pair unless it is for Mahjong.

EXPOSURE- A declared set of tiles revealed for all to see on your rack. Once you make an exposure, you may not add to it or take a way from it.

DISCARD- To place a tile in the middle of the table.

EXCHANGE- When you exchange a tile that you have for a joker that is exposed on another’s rack. You kindly ask for the exchange, you do not touch another persons rack.

PAUSE- Said whenever you need to consider a discard.

KONG- Set of 4 identical tiles, may include jokers.

PUNG- Set of 3 identical tiles, may include jokers.

QUINT- Set of 5 identical tiles, may include jokers.

PAIR- Set of 2 identical tiles, may NOT include jokers.

SINGLE- a single tile either alone or with other UNLIKE tiles. NEWS, 123, 112345, 2025 are all considered single tiles. Never a joker.