Mahjong Playing Cards (and how to use them)

There comes a time when you need to take the show on the road and as much as you love Mahjong, you have to leave the tiles and mat and racks behind. This is when playing cards come in! Mahjong playing cards are numbered just like tiles with the same number of suits, winds, flowers, etc.  Our playing cards come in a handy zippered case so that makes transport even more convenient.  

To play American Mahjong with cards and NMJL card- 4 player

Begining by SHUFFLING.  There are a lot of cards so you might have to split the deck and shuffle a couple of piles at a time. There are no walls to be built. DEAL- the cards - 13 to each player and 14 to the dealer (just as in Mahjong) Place the remaining cards in a pile face down in the middle of the table.  Or you can leave them face down in our cute case. CHARLESTON- just as in Mahjong. Pass 3 cards to the RIGHT, 3 cards OVER and 3 cards to the Left. The PLAY begins when the dealer discards the first card. Play continues just like Mahjong- counterclockwise- Draw, Exchange (if necessary), discard (card placed face up and named as it is discarded). The same rules apply (NMJL or your "house rules") 

To play a Quick and Easy game with Mahjong cards- ADVANCED 2 or 4 player

SHUFFLE (as above) NO WALLS  NO CHARLESTON

DEAL - 14 to dealer, 13 to each player

PLAY- keep to the same NMJL rules (re Jokers, and calling for a card)

HANDS: see the ON THE ROAD PLAYING GUIDE 

examples:

222 4444 6666 888 or 222 4444 6666 888

FFFF 222 444 6666

111 222 3333 4444 or 111 222 3333 4444

To play a Quick and Easy game - BEGINNER 2-4 players

SHUFFLE (as above) NO WALLS, NO CHARLESTON

DEAL- 9 cards to each player, dealer has 10 

PLAY- Dealer discards first card face up on the table. Play continues as above counterclockwise. 

Hands: see the ON THE ROAD PLAYING GUIDE 

examples:

22 444 666 88 or 22 444 666 88

FF 222 44 666

FF NN EE WW SS