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FAQ 16. Frequently-Asked Questions about the 2016 National Mah Jongg League card

FF NNNN 2016 SSSS
FF EEEE 2016 WWWW
(2016 #1, #2)

Can I use a joker in the 2016 since the tiles are bunched together like a kong?
No, of course not. 2016 is not a kong. It's four singles. A kong is four identical tiles. Read FAQ 19E (click here) and read the back of your NMJL card. Look for the word "NEVER" (in all capital letters, bold text, and underlined just like that).



If the 2016 is not a kong, why aren't there spaces between the digits?
I suppose the League thinks it looks more natural without the spaces. It doesn't really matter, does it? Accept that the 2016 is four singles (not a kong), and move on.

Can I claim a discarded tile to expose the 2016?
Not unless it's for mah-jongg. Read FAQ 19E (click here) or click FAQ 19 in the nav frame at left.

Does the 2016 have to be made in dots?
Read the red note above the 2016 section on the card. When used as zero, soap can be used with any suit. That means the 2, the 1, and the 6 can be any suit (they all must be in the same suit, though). Read the back of the card: one color = "any 1 suit." Winds and flowers are not suited, so the 2016 has to be one suit. And "any 1 suit" does not = "dots."

222 000 1111 6666 (Any 3 Suits)
(2016 #3)

Can I use Green or Red instead of Soap/White for the zeroes?
No, of course not! Read the top left corner of the card - only Soap/White can be used for zeroes. When you see a zero on the card, that always means Soap (White Dragon).



Do the sixes have to be dots, to match the zeroes?
Read the red note above the 2016 section on the card. When used as zero, soap can be used with any suit. The sixes don't have to be dots; the sixes can be any suit that isn't used for the twos or ones.

Do I have to use bams for the twos and craks for the ones?
No. The color-coding is not to be taken as standing for particular suits. Read the back of the card, and read Frequently Asked Question 19-BY and FAQ 19-J.

FFFF 22 44 666 888 (Any 1 Suit)
(2468 #1)

Does this hand have to be made in dots?
No. It says "Any 1 Suit" in the parenthetical. Besides, the color-coding is never to be taken as standing for particular suits. Read the back of the card: 1 color = any 1 suit.
"Any 1 suit" does not = "dots."
Also read Frequently Asked Question 19-BY and FAQ 19-J.

22 44 444 666 8888 (Any 3 Suits, Kong 8s)
(Evens #5)

Does "Kong 8s" mean I cannot use a joker in the kong?
No. Read FAQ 19AO.

Do I have to use bams for the pairs and craks for the pungs?
No. The color-coding is never to be taken as standing for particular suits. Read the back of the card, and read Frequently Asked Question 19-BY and FAQ 19-J.

FF 222 DDD 888 DDD (Any 2 Suits)
(Evens #6)

Do I have to use bams and greens with craks and reds?
No. It says "Any 2 Suits" in the parenthetical, not that it really needs to. The color-coding is never to be taken as standing for particular suits. Read the back of the card, and read Frequently Asked Question 19-BY and FAQ 19-J.

FFFF 1111 11 1111 (Any Like Number)
(Like Numbers #1)

Does the pair have to be craks?
No. The color-coding is never to be taken as standing for particular suits. Read the back of the card, and read Frequently Asked Question 19-BY and FAQ 19-J.

Do I have to use ones for all the sets?
No. The parenthetical says "Any Like Number." That means you can use sets of any number (all sets must use the same number).

11 DD 111 DDD 1111 (Any Like Nos. Matching Dragons)
(Like Numbers #2)

What does "Matching Dragons" mean?
That means that the dragon associated with the set must be the type of dragon that matches that set. What dragon matches what set is spelled out on the back of the card. For instance, if your pair is dots, then the pair of "matching dragon" is soap.

Don't the two pairs have to be bams and Green?
No. The color-coding is never to be taken as standing for particular suits. Read the back of the card, and read Frequently Asked Question 19-BY and FAQ 19-J.

Do I have to use ones for all the sets?
No. The parenthetical says "Any Like Number." That means you can use sets of any number (all sets must use the same number).

FFFF 2222 9999 11 -or- FFFF 2222 9999 11
(Elevens #1)

There are two versions of this hand. My question is about the one on the left, all in blue: does it have to be made in dots only?
No. The color-coding is not to be taken as standing for particular suits. Read the back of the card: 1 color = any 1 suit.
"Any 1 suit" does not = "dots."
Also read Frequently Asked Question 19-BY and FAQ 19-J.

But there's no parenthetical saying "Any 1 Suit"!
There isn't enough room, and that parenthetical is not necessary, since the color-coding is clear. Read the back of the card: 1 color = any 1 suit. It clearly shows a 1-suit version and a 3-suit version of the hand.
Also read FAQ 19-AJ.

This question is about the one on the right, in three colors. Does the "11" have to be made in dots only, since it's blue?
No. The color-coding is not to be taken as standing for particular suits. Read the back of the card, and read Frequently Asked Question 19-BY and FAQ 19-J.

1123 11111 11111 (Any 3 Consec. Nos; Pr. Any No. in Run; Pr & Quints Match)
(Quints #1)

This hand contains a "run," a rising numerical sequence. It's made up of two singles and a pair.

Do the quints and the pair have to be the first number in the run, as shown on the card?
No. The pair can be the first, second, or third number in the run. You have to read the parenthetical, and read the parenthetical very carefully. The phrase "Pr. Any No. in Run" means that the pair can be... wait for it... any number in the run. That means that the pair does not have to be only the first number in the run. The word "any" always means "any." You can read FAQ 19J if you're still confused about what "any" means (or look up the word "any" in... any dictionary). And the quints have to be the same number as the pair (that's what "Pr. & Quints Match" means). For more on this hand, see http://www.nationalmahjonggleague.org/faq.html.

Do the quints have to be in craks and dots, since they're red and blue on the card?
No. The color- coding is never to be taken as standing for particular suits. Read the back of the card, and read Frequently Asked Question 19-BY and FAQ 19-J.

1123 11111 11111
4556 55555 55555
7899 99999 99999

Can I use a joker in the 1123 kong? And can I call it for exposure?
It is not a kong! The term "kong" applies only to "like tiles." This "grouping" (the aforementioned "run") is a pair and two singles, not a kong. Read FAQ 19E (click here).

If it's not a kong, why aren't there spaces between the pair and the singles?
How should I know? And what difference does it make? So what if there's no space between obvious pairs and singles? Spaces on the card are usually not significant or meaningful.

FFFF NNNNN 11111 (Quint Any Wind & Any No. in Any Suit)
(Quints #3)

Do I have to use Norths and Ones?
No. Look in the parenthetical. There's that word "any" again. "Any" always means "any." You can use any one wind (not only Norths.) You can use a quint of any number in any suit. You can read FAQ 19J for more about this concept.

FFFF SSSSS 33333
FFFF EEEEE 88888

FF 11111 66 77777 -or- FF 11111 66 77777
(Quints #4)

There are two versions of this hand. My question is about the one on the left, all in blue: does it have to be made in dots only?
No. The color-coding is not to be taken as standing for particular suits. Read the back of the card: 1 color = any 1 suit.
"Any 1 suit" does not = "dots."
Also read Frequently Asked Question 19-BY and FAQ 19-J.

But there's no parenthetical saying "Any 1 Suit"!
There isn't enough room, and that parenthetical is not necessary, since the color-coding is clear. Read the back of the card: 1 color = any 1 suit. It clearly shows a 1-suit version and a 3-suit version of the hand.
Also read FAQ 19-AJ.

This question is about the one on the right, in three colors. If I make the three-suit version, do I have to use craks for the sixes?
No. The color-coding is never to be taken as standing for particular suits. Read the back of the card, and read Frequently Asked Question 19-BY and FAQ 19-J.

1111 22 22 22 3333 (Any 3 Consec. Nos., Like Pairs Middle No. Only)
(Consec. #3)

Do the two kongs have to be bams?
No. The color- coding is never to be taken as standing for particular suits. Read the back of the card, and read Frequently Asked Question 19-BY and FAQ 19-J.

But it doesn't say "Any 3 Suits"!
It doesn't have to. That parenthetical is not necessary, since the color-coding is clear. 3 colors means 3 suits, and a color never dictates a suit.
Read FAQ 19-AJ.

Do I have to use ones, twos, and threes?
No. See the parenthetical. It says "Any 3 Consec. Nos."

Can I use zeroes? For instance 0000 11 11 11 2222?
No. The only place on the card where you are permitted to use zero is where the card shows a numeral "0" (2016 and Singles And Pairs).

111 2222 333 DDDD (Any 2 Suits; Any 3 Consec. Nos., Kong & Dragon Match)
(Consec. #4)

Do the two pungs have to be bams, do the kongs have to be craks and red dragons?
No. The color- coding is never to be taken as standing for particular suits. Read the back of the card, and read Frequently Asked Question 19-BY and FAQ 19-J.

Does the dragon have to match the middle number of the 3-number run?
Yes. Read the parenthetical. It says "Kong & Dragon Match." The kong is the 4-tile grouping, and it's the same color as the dragon kong, so they have to be the same suit.

Do I have to use ones, twos, and threes?
No. See the parenthetical. It says "Any 3 Consec. Nos."

11 22 111 222 3333 (Any 3 Suits; Any 3 Consec. Nos.)
(Consec. #5)

Do the two pairs have to be bams?
No. The color- coding is never to be taken as standing for particular suits. Read the back of the card, and read Frequently Asked Question 19-BY and FAQ 19-J.

Do I have to use ones, twos, and threes?
No. See the parenthetical. It says "Any 3 Consec. Nos." You can use 2s, 3s, and 4s, or 7s, 8s, and 9s, for instance.

Does the kong have to be an ascending number? If I use sevens and eights for the pairs and pungs, could the kong be sixes?
The card clearly intends the kong to be the next higher number. If you use sevens and eights for the pairs and pungs, you have to use nines for the kongs.

Can I use zeroes? For instance 00 11 000 111 2222?
No. The only place on the card where you are permitted to use zero is where the card shows a numeral "0" (2016 and Singles And Pairs).

11 333 DDDD 333 55 -or- 55 777 DDDD 777 99 (Any 3 Suits)
(Odds #4)

Do the dragons have to be Reds?
No. The color- coding is never to be taken as standing for particular suits. Read the back of the card, and read Frequently Asked Question 19-BY and FAQ 19-J.

11 33 555 777 9999 (Any 3 Suits)
(Odds #6)

Do the two pairs have to be bams?
No. The color-coding is never to be taken as standing for particular suits. Read the back of the card, and read Frequently Asked Question 19-BY and FAQ 19-J.

NN 11 SSS 111 1111 (Any Like Odd No.)
EE 22 WWW 222 2222 (Any Like Even No.)
(Winds-Dragons #2, #3)

Am I correct in assuming that these hands can be played one or two suits?
No. It's a three-suit hand. Read the back of the card. Left pane, just beneath where it says "STANDARD BASED ON EIGHT FLOWERS AND EIGHT JOKERS" (1st and 2nd lines). It says, "1 color--any 1 suit; 2 colors--any 2 suits; 3 colors--3 suits." That means that this hand is a three-suit hand. The winds are suitless, so their color doesn't count.

Do I have to use bams for the number pair, and cracks for the number pung, and dots for the number kong?
No. The color-coding is never to be taken as standing for particular suits. Read the back of the card, and read Frequently Asked Question 19-BY and FAQ 19-J.

33 66 333 666 9999 (Any 3 Suits; Kong 9s)
(369 #4)

Does "Kong 9s" mean I cannot use a joker in the kong?
No. Read FAQ 19AO.

Do the two pairs have to be bams?
No. The color-coding is never to be taken as standing for particular suits. Read the back of the card, and read Frequently Asked Question 19-BY and FAQ 19-J.

333 66 999 333 333 (Any 2 Suits, Like Pungs 3, 6 or 9)
(369 #5)

Does "333 66 999" have to be bams?
No. The color-coding is never to be taken as standing for particular suits. Read the back of the card, and read Frequently Asked Question 19-BY and FAQ 19-J.

Is that a misprint, showing 333 333 in just one color like that?
No. You have to have two identical pungs -- it says "like pungs," and the two pungs are shown in one color. You have to have two identical pungs of either threes or sixes or nines. You do have to use at least two jokers. Read FAQ 19-AU.

Can I have a pung of sixes and a pung of nines?
No. The pungs must be identical. You have to use at least two jokers. Read FAQ 19-AU.

NN 11 33 55 77 99 SS
FF EE 22 44 66 88 WW
FF 11 22 33 44 55 DD (Any 5 Consec. Nos.)
(S&P #1, #2, #3)

These hands are all in blue, so do they have to be made in dots only?
No. The color-coding is not to be taken as standing for particular suits. Read the back of the card: 1 color = any 1 suit.
"Any 1 suit" does not = "dots."
Also read Frequently Asked Question 19-BY and FAQ 19-J.

But there's no parenthetical saying "Any 1 Suit"!
So what? That parenthetical is not necessary, since the color-coding is clear.
Read the back of the card: 1 color = any 1 suit.
"Any 1 Suit" does not = "dots."
Also read FAQ 19-AJ.

FF 11 22 11 22 11 22 (Any 2 Consec. Nos. in 3 Suits)
(S&P #4)

I don't understand this hand.
You need pairs of consecutive numbers in one suit, then pairs of the same identical numbers in the second suit, and pairs of the same identical numbers in the third suit. It doesn't have to be ones and twos; it can be any two consecutive numbers from 1 to 9.

Can I use zeroes and ones?
No. The only place on the card where you are permitted to use zero is where the card shows a numeral "0" (2016 and Singles And Pairs).

336 33669 336699 (Any 3 Suits)
(S&P #5)

That's a pung, a quint, and a sextet - so can I use a joker? And can I call for exposure?
No. There is no pung in the hand, no quint, and no sextet. The terms "pung" and "quint" and "sextet" apply only to "like tiles." Those "groupings" are made up of singles and pairs. Look at the title of this section of the card. It's called "Singles and Pairs." Because it's all singles and, you know: pairs.

In this section of the card, you cannot use jokers, and you cannot make any exposures, not only because all the hands are marked with a C but also because the hands in this section are all made solely of "Singles and Pairs." Read FAQ 19E (click here).
Also: every player should read everything on the NMJL card. Turn it over and look at the back. Left pane, last sentence of the last paragraph before the numbered rules. Look for the word "NEVER" (in all capital letters, bold text, and underlined just like that).



Can I call a discard if it's the tile I need to complete this hand for mah-jongg?
Yes.

Why aren't there spaces between every pair and every single?
How should I know? And what difference does it make? So what if there's no space between obvious pairs and singles?

Wow, you sure are a grump! Why do you answer these questions if you don't like answering questions?
I love answering questions. I just think people should put a little effort into reading the back of the card and the official rulebook and the League's yearly newsletters.

FF 11 22 33 DD DD DD (Any 3 Consec. Nos.)
(S&P #6)

Do I have to use ones, twos, and threes?
No. Read the parenthetical. It says "Any 3 Consec. Nos."

Then can I use zeroes in the number run?
No. The only place on the card where you are permitted to use zero is where the card shows a numeral "0" (2016 and Singles And Pairs). Besides, the hand is hard enough without having to have four soaps!

Does the third dragon have to match the numbers?
You have to use all three dragons. One of them is going to match the numbers, no matter where you put it in the hand.

FF 2016 2016 2016 (Any 3 Consec. Nos.)
(S&P #6)

Can I use Green and Red in the green and red 2016s?
No. Read the red note above the 2016 section on the card. White dragon (soap) is always used as zero (and only white dragon; no other). When used as zero, soap can be used with any suit. That means you need three soaps to make this hand. That's why this hand is so expensive (because it's really hard to make).

Can I use a joker in a 2016 since the tiles are bunched together like a kong?
No, of course not. "2016" is not a kong. It's four singles. A kong is four identical tiles. Read FAQ 19E (click here) and read the back of your NMJL card. Look for the word "NEVER" (in all capital letters, bold text, and underlined just like that).

Still got a question? Ask it on the Mah-Jongg Q&A Bulletin Board! You'll get answers!

Like this:

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What hand could she be making?

>From: "Irishhmrs
>Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2017 3:42 PM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>What hand could include 3 9 bams and 3 dots on 2016 card

Hello, "Irishhmrs,"
Welcome to my website and my Q&A board! Your question was missing some information. You were specific that the 9B should be a pung, but it's unclear if (a) there are three (a pung) of which dots tile, or (b) how many 3Ds you're asking about. If you're saying an opponent is showing a pung of 9B and a pung of 3D or 6D or 9D, then she can be making 369 #5.



If your opponent is showing a pung of 9B and a kong of 3D, then she has a problem - no such hand.



I assume you meant to say "3 3 dots," which would still be 369 #5.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of the Sloper On Mah-Jongg column and the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
January 29, 2017

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Question about FFFF2222000016, 22200011116666, and FF222000111666

>From: Sally C
>Sent: Friday, January 13, 2017 8:44 AM
>Subject: Mah Jongg Question
>Under 2016 category in the hand: FFFF2222000016, 22200011116666, or FF222000111666
>can jokers be used and can you pick up from the middle, or are these hands treated like 2016?
>Sally C.

Hi Sally,
I realize that in FAQ 16 I said that spaces on the card are usually not significant. But the absence of spaces in the 2016 hands in your email IS significant. Those hands are not monolithic; they are comprised of individual groupings, separated by spaces on the card. Those hands, as shown on the card, have spaces for a very specific reason: to delineate discrete groupings of tiles that make up the hand. You asked about three hands:
FFFF 2222 0000 16 (I always refer to this hand as "2016 #4"). Edit: Please note the spaces between the sets.
222 000 1111 6666 (I always refer to this hand as "2016 #3"). Edit: Please note the spaces between the sets.
FF 222 000 111 666 (I always refer to this hand as "2016 #5"). Edit: Please note the spaces between the sets.

Jokers may always be used in ANY pung, kong, quint, or sextet on the NMJL card. Look on the back of the card (every player owes it to all the other players at the table to read and know everything on the back of the card): it says there that a pung is 3 identical tiles. A kong is 4 identical tiles. A quint is 5 identical tiles. A sextet is 6 identical tiles. Let's look at your three hands again:
2016 #4 is three kongs and two singles (a one and a six). Of course jokers may be used in the kongs. Edit: And the kongs may be exposed (i.e. made from a discard).
2016 #3 is two pungs and two kongs. Of course jokers may be used in any of those groupings. Edit: And the pungs and kongs may be exposed (i.e. made from a discard).
2016 #5 is a pair and four pungs. Of course jokers may be used in any of the pungs. Edit: The pungs may NOT be exposed (i.e. made from a discard), since this is a concealed hand.

Again: read the back of the card. Look in the left pane, down near the bottom. Last sentence in the paragraph that precedes the numbered list of rules. See the word "NEVER" in all capital letters? Read that sentence. You may not use a joker for a single or a pair. Only for pungs, kongs, quints, or sextets. There are pungs and kongs in the three hands you asked about. And there are singles and pairs. So now you see that jokers may be used in some parts of the hands you asked about - and that there are parts of those hands where jokers may not be used.

May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of the Sloper On Mah-Jongg column and the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
Friday the 13th, January, 2017

The official rulebook, and a newsletter. Every table should have the official rulebook.
Every year, the League issues rule clarifications in its newsletter. Every person who buys the card
directly from the League receives a subscription to the newsletter, which is mailed every January.

Didn't find what you were looking for in this FAQ? Check these links...

Click here if you have a question about the old 2001 NMJL card.

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Tom Sloper's book, "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," contains both the COMPLETE rules for American-style mah-jongg and also the official Chinese rules used at the 2002 World Championship and the 2007 World Championship! Note: the international rules are completely different from American rules. Are you woman (or man) enough?

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