In the past seven days, there have been three companies who have all announced their own version of a mahjong card. If you’ve spent any time on the Internet, following anybody in the mahjong world, you know that there’s lots of excitement and confusion and controversy surrounding these three new options. We're talking about The Big Card, The International Mahjong Card, and The Mahjong Press. Let’s get into it!
Today I’m sharing my honest take on the new mahjong cards being released by companies outside the National Mah Jongg League — and why I believe they may cause more harm than good for the American mahjong community.
American mahjong has always been built around one shared NMJL card, that’s what start the whole idea of “American mahjong.” That consistency is what allows players to join new groups, travel, meet new friends, play at clubs, and instantly understand the rules no matter where they live.
When new cards enter the marketplace, it introduces:
- Confusion about which rules to use
- Segregation between groups using different cards
- Difficulty finding people who play “your version”
- Fragmented learning for beginners
- A less unified, less accessible game
My goal is to keep our community connected with one set of rules, one shared card, one foundation for the game we love. In this video, I break down what’s happening, why these new cards are emerging, and what players need to know. Let me know your thoughts in the comments — I want to hear from the players, teachers, and clubs who keep this game alive. Happy Mahj-ing, y’all!