Mastering the Use of Blanks in American Mahjong: NMJL Rules, House Rule Variations & Strategy
Is it cheating… or just creative play?
In this post (and our accompanying video), Jessica from Southern Sparrow unpacks one of the most hotly debated topics in American Mahjong: using blank tiles. Are they allowed? How do they work? Should you include them in your game? Let's dive in.
What Is a Blank Tile in Mahjong?
Blank tiles are exactly what they sound like—tiles with no markings or suits. Most often, they’re included as “extras” in a set and serve as replacements in case another tile is lost or damaged. But many players have adopted their own house rules that give blank tiles a special function in the game.
Remember: blank tiles are not recognized by the National Mah Jongg League and should only be used when all players agree to house rules in advance.
How to Play with Blanks in American Mahjong
The most common house rule in mahjong, especially in the South, is to use Blanks as a dead-tile recovery tool. At any point in the game, and secretively, a player can swap a Blank tile for a previously discarded dead tile by placing the Blank face up on the table and placing the dead tile on the sloped part of the rack. You do not need to expose what you've taken with your Blank.
Why It’s Controversial
The NMJL does not include blank tiles in its official rules, and competitive players may view their use as improper or even “cheating.” However, for casual home games, many enjoy the creative twist and flexibility blanks bring.
Jessica's take? “If everyone at the table agrees, house rules can make the game more fun. Just don’t assume everyone plays that way!”
Pros and Cons of Playing with Blanks
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Increases hand-building flexibility | Not allowed in tournament play |
| Great for beginner-friendly games | May frustrate experienced players |
| Encourages strategic adaptation | Can skew game balance if overused |
Final Thoughts
If you're new to American Mahjong, we recommend first learning the official NMJL rules before exploring variations like blanks. And if you love the idea of a more flexible, social mahjong game night, blank tiles might be just the thing to spice things up.
Shop Mahjong Sets with Blanks
Looking for a beautiful American Mahjong set that includes blank tiles? At Southern Sparrow, all of our tile sets come with six blank tiles—perfect for house rule play.