Mahjong League Guidelines
Share
Competitive league:
- Open to Experienced Players Only – Designed for players with a strong understanding of American Mahjong rules, Charleston strategy, defensive play, and card interpretation. Players should be comfortable making quick decisions, recognizing patterns, and maintaining game flow without instructional assistance. ChelsDotBam reserves the right to move players between Social and Competitive divisions at her discretion to ensure balanced play, fairness, and the best overall experience for all participants.
- Bring Your Card – All players must use the current year’s National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) card. You can purchase yours here if you need one.
- Be On Time – Matches begin promptly; arrive early to grab a seat and settle in.
- Scoring System – Points awarded based on the rules as described here. Scores will be kept at each table throughout playing. The scorecards will be turned into ChelsDotBam who will record all points for tracking. Once we leave the league that evening, scores cannot be adjusted. Please consult ChelsDotBam regarding any clarifications in scoring during league play or immediately following the last game.
- Calling dead hands - Familiarize yourself with the rules as explained here. Remember it is not rude or unkind to call a hand dead, this is a part of the game. It is for the betterment of the whole league if everyone follows the same rules.
- Sportsmanship – All players are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times. We value graciousness in both victory and defeat, and encourage thoughtful, respectful communication. Please deliver all comments, corrections, and gameplay decisions with finesse and kindness.
- Play All Rounds – Each table must play 4 games each week in the time limit or all players will receive a zero for the unfinished games. Keep in mind timing throughout the evening. Each player will take turns being East.
- Deal - The deal will be performed as prescribed by NMJL rules, unless the table is in agreement to deal socially. Each player will take their tiles in the correct turn order. At the end of the deal or Charleston (before game play begins) if a player does not have the correct number of tiles, you will reshuffle tiles and start the process over as prescribed in NMJL rules.
- Blanks - We will not be using blanks.
- Prizes + Bragging Rights – Top winners will be recognized at the end of the league.
Social league:
- Open to Beginner to Intermediate Players – Designed for players who are new to Mahjong or still building foundational knowledge. Clarification of rules, tiles, etc. and a slower pace of play will be provided to support learning and confidence at the table. ChelsDotBam cannot provide strategy guidance or picking a line. ChelsDotBam reserves the right to move players between Social and Competitive divisions at her discretion to ensure balanced play, fairness, and the best overall experience for all participants.
- Bring Your Card – All players must use the current year’s National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) card. You can purchase yours here if you need one.
- Be On Time – Matches begin promptly; arrive early to grab a seat and settle in.
- Scoring System – Points awarded based on the rules as described here. Scores will be kept at each table throughout playing. The scorecards will be turned into ChelsDotBam who will record all points for tracking. Once we leave the league that evening, scores cannot be adjusted. Please consult ChelsDotBam regarding any clarifications in scoring during league play or immediately following the last game.
- Calling dead hands - Familiarize yourself with the rules as explained here. Remember it is not rude or unkind to call a hand dead, this is a part of the game. It is for the betterment of the whole league if everyone follows the same rules.
- Sportsmanship – All players are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times. We value graciousness in both victory and defeat, and encourage thoughtful, respectful communication. Please deliver all comments, corrections, and gameplay decisions with finesse and kindness.
- Play All Rounds – Each table must play 4 games each week in the time limit or all players will receive a zero for the unfinished games. Keep in mind timing throughout the evening. Each player will take turns being East.
- Deal - The deal will be performed as prescribed by NMJL rules, unless the table is in agreement to deal socially. Each player will take their tiles in the correct turn order. At the end of the deal or Charleston (before game play begins) if a player does not have the correct number of tiles, you will reshuffle tiles and start the process over as prescribed in NMJL rules.
- Blanks - We will not be using blanks.
- Prizes + Bragging Rights – Top winners will be recognized at the end of the league.
Facebook groups:
These are set to private so you will have to request to join. This is where you will be post if you want a sub for your spot. It is your responsibility to coordinate a sub if you are going to miss scheduled game play in a league.