I want to help you avoid one of the most frustrating mistakes this year on the 2025 National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) card: False Mahjong. One of the trickiest parts of this year’s card are two lines in the Winds and Dragons section that players are bound to mix up if they’re not careful. Let’s break it down:
The Tricky Hands: East & West vs. North & South
NNNN 1 11 111 SSSS & EEEE 2 22 222 WWWW
The East-West line requires pairing with even numbers (twos, fours, sixes, or eights), while the North-South line must be paired with odd numbers (ones, threes, fives, or sevens). These lines are located right next to each other in the 2025 card, which can make things confusing when you’re in the heat of the game!
East-West Hand Example:
- Kong of Easts
- Single Even Number
- Pair of Even Numbers
- Pung of Even Numbers
- Kong of Wests
This hand must be played with only even numbers to avoid declaring a False Mahjong. Watch out for accidentally using odd numbers like 3, 5, or 7, which can easily lead to a mistake!
North-South Hand Example:
- Kong of Easts
- Single Odd Number
- Pair of Odd Numbers
- Pung of Odd Numbers
- Kong of Wests
These hands should only contain odd numbers like 1, 3, 5, or 7 to maintain the integrity of your hand.
Watch the video for more details:
Tips to Avoid False Mahjong:
- Double-Check Your Pairs: Always double-check that your North-South hands are odd numbers and your East-West hands are even.
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Read the Parentheses: Always read the parentheses for your selected mahjong line. The parentheses often help you win a hand in more ways than printed, but can also help with ensuring you are following the specific rules for that hand.
- Use a Mahjong LineMarker: A Mahjong line marker, like the ones from Southern Sparrow, can help you track the suits and ensure you're following the right order of numbers.
- Practice Makes Perfect: The more you play with the 2025 card, the easier it will become to remember the even and odd pairings.
Get Your Mahjong Gear:
Check out our designer mahjong tiles, exclusive line of mahjong line markers, and other accessories at Southern Sparrow! Whether you're hosting a Mahjong night with friends or playing solo, our products are designed to help you keep track of your game in style.
Happy Mahjong-ing, and let’s avoid those False Mahjes this year!