Who runs American mahjong? The League, tournaments and experts
American mahjong has one rule-maker, a yearly card, and a small world of tournament organizers, card publishers and rules experts around it. Here is who does what.
By Jerry Chen. Checked and updated November 1, 2026
The National Mah Jongg League
The League was founded in 1937, when a group of mahjong enthusiasts met in New York City to standardize the game. It says it began with 32 members and now has more than 350,000.
- The card. Every spring the League issues new "Official Standard Hands and Rules" cards. The hands change each year. About the card.
- The rules. It publishes the American rules, including the rulebook Mah Jongg Made Easy, and a yearly bulletin with rulings.
- Charity. The League says proceeds from card sales go to charitable organizations each year. Recipients it lists include the Alzheimer's Association, the American Red Cross and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
- Online play. It runs NMJL Online, with a desktop subscription and an app, using the current card. Apps compared.
The League does not write tournament rules. Tournament organizers set their own, usually based on League rules with extra penalties.
Tournament organizers
Mah Jongg Masters, known as Mah Jongg Madness from 1985 to April 2021, has run American mahjong tournaments and cruise tournaments since 1985, with weekend events in places such as Las Vegas, Atlanta, Scottsdale and Florida. It was founded by Larry and Dorothy Krams and later directed by Gladys Grad. In June 2020 it held what it calls the first national mahjong tournament on the web, with 104 players.
Many tournaments are run locally by clubs, synagogues, Jewish community centers and charities. If you are going to your first one, read the organizer's rules beforehand: penalties for things like throwing to three exposures are tournament rules, not League rules. More on that.
Alternative card publishers
Three tile brands publish their own yearly American cards with different hands from the League card:
- The Mahjong Line: The Big Card.
- Miss Mahjong: its own yearly card.
- Oh My Mahjong: the International Mahjong Card.
Agree as a table which card you are playing before you start. Brands compared.
Rules experts and references
- Tom Sloper has answered American and Chinese mahjong rule questions on his site, Sloperama, for many years. His FAQ often cites the League's rulebook and bulletins by page, and he wrote The Red Dragon & The West Wind, a guide to official Chinese and American mahjong. Many of our rule answers cite his FAQ.
- Mah Jongg Made Easy, the League's rulebook, is the final word on rules. Buy it from the League.
Teachers, clubs and app makers across the country are a big part of the scene too. Find one near you.
Common questions
Who makes the rules for American mahjong?
The National Mah Jongg League, founded in New York City in 1937. It publishes the rules and a new card of hands every year.
Is the National Mah Jongg League a charity?
The League says proceeds from sales of its card go to charitable organizations each year, and lists past and present recipients on its site.
How many members does the National Mah Jongg League have?
The League says it started with 32 members and now numbers over 350,000.
Who runs American mahjong tournaments?
The League does not set tournament rules, so each organizer writes its own. Long-running organizers include Mah Jongg Masters (known as Mah Jongg Madness from 1985 to 2021), alongside many local clubs and charities.
What is the official American mahjong rulebook?
Mah Jongg Made Easy, published by the National Mah Jongg League. The back of each year's card and the League's yearly bulletins add rulings.
Are there other American mahjong cards?
Yes. The Mahjong Line (The Big Card), Miss Mahjong and Oh My Mahjong (International Mahjong Card) publish their own yearly cards. They use different hands from the League card, so a table should agree which one it plays.
Sources: National Mah Jongg League, The League; League charities; League home page (NMJL Online); Mah Jongg Masters; Tom Sloper on Mah Jongg Madness; Tom Sloper, FAQ 19; The Red Dragon & The West Wind. Checked November 1, 2026.