The card looks like a wall of code
Rows, colors and symbols blur together, so choosing a hand feels like a guess rather than a decision.
The Complete American Mah Jongg Course
Learn American Mah Jongg Properly — and Play Your First Full Game With Confidence
A structured 7-module video course that teaches the rules, the annual card and the decisions behind every hand — so you stop guessing at the table and start playing with a clear plan.
- Instant digital access
- Lifetime access to the core course
- Works on phone, tablet and desktop
One-time payment · Includes the 2026 Hands Guide
Backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Why most players stall
Knowing the rules is not the same as knowing what to do next
Most learners are not stuck on the rules. They are stuck at the moments where the game asks for a decision — and no one has explained how experienced players actually make those choices.
The Charleston passes too quickly
Three tiles leave your rack before you have decided what you are actually building.
Calling a tile feels risky
You are unsure whether an exposure helps your hand or simply tells the table what you are doing.
A failing hand is hard to abandon
Without a method for pivoting, most players keep pushing a direction that stopped being realistic.
The shift that changes everything
Confidence comes from a repeatable decision process
Players who look calm at the table are not memorizing the card. They are working through the same short sequence of questions on every turn: what do I have, what is realistic, what does the table show, and what should leave my rack.
This course teaches that sequence step by step, then walks you through complete games so you can watch it work in real situations.
Before and after
What changes once you have a method
Learning by guesswork
- You pick a hand because it looks interesting, then lose track of it
- The Charleston feels rushed and random
- You hesitate before calling a discarded tile
- You keep a failing hand until the wall runs out
- You rely on the player next to you to confirm every move
Playing with a decision process
- You shortlist realistic directions in the first minute
- You pass with a clear reason for every tile that leaves
- You call, or wait, on purpose
- You recognize a failing hand early and pivot cleanly
- You finish a full game without needing to be rescued
The Table-Ready Decision Method
One repeatable process you can use on every single turn
Instead of memorizing hands, you learn a four-step sequence that turns a complicated rack into a clear next move. It is the backbone of the course and it applies to any card, any table and any group you play with.
- 01Read your rackA 60-second review that finds the pairs, gaps and flexible groups you already hold.
- 02Shortlist realistic handsCompare two or three directions on the card instead of scanning every line.
- 03Protect and passDecide what must stay and which three tiles cost you the least in every Charleston pass.
- 04Commit, pivot or defendUse the table's discards and exposures to strengthen, change direction or play safe.
What you learn
Seven modules that build from first tile to full game
Each module ends with a concrete outcome, so you always know what you can do that you could not do before.
- Tile families and terminology
- Setting up the racks and wall
- Deal, turns, draws and discards
- Pairs, Pungs, Kongs, Quints and Sextets
- How a complete round moves from start to finish
Lifetime access to all seven modules and the 2026 Hands Guide.
Included with your purchase
The 2026 Hands Guide — your companion for the current card
A structured reference designed to be used while you play. It explains how to read and work with the 2026 hands so the official card becomes usable instead of overwhelming.
- Every 2026 card hand organized by category and difficulty
- Plain-language notes on what each hand actually requires
- Concealed and exposed requirements shown at a glance
- A printable version for the table and a mobile version for practice
National Mah Jongg Institute is an independent educational platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Mah Jongg League. The official annual playing card is sold separately.
Is this right for you?
Built for people who want to understand the game, not memorize it
This is for you if…
- You are brand new and want a proper, ordered start
- You know the basic rules but freeze when it is time to choose a hand
- You learned by watching others and have gaps you cannot name
- You are returning after years away and want to refresh with structure
- You want to join a regular group without slowing the table down
This is not for you if…
- You are looking for a printable rules sheet rather than a course
- You want tournament-level strategy for advanced competitive play
- You expect a guarantee of winning results
- You want the official annual card itself — that is sold separately
About the Institute
Why learners trust National Mah Jongg Institute
National Mah Jongg Institute creates structured, practical education for players who want to understand the decisions behind the game. Our approach favors clear explanations, original examples and repeatable methods over memorization and jargon.
Structured, not scattered
Lessons follow one deliberate order, so each concept builds on the one before it.
Original teaching material
Every example, worksheet and explanation is written in-house for this program.
Decision-first teaching
We explain the reasoning behind each move instead of asking you to memorize outcomes.
National Mah Jongg Institute is an independent educational platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Mah Jongg League. The official annual playing card is sold separately.
The complete package
Everything you need to sit down and play with confidence
The Complete American Mah Jongg Course
7-Module Video Program + 2026 Hands Guide
- 7-module video course (Modules 1–7)
- The 2026 Hands Guide — printable and mobile versions
- The Table-Ready Decision Method worksheets
- Complete guided game walkthroughs
- Lifetime access to the core course
- Works on phone, tablet and desktop
$34.90one-time payment · USD
Secure checkout via Shopify · No subscription
30-Day Table-Ready Money-Back Guarantee
Try the Complete Course for 30 Days
Watch the lessons, use the Table-Ready Decision Method and decide whether this is a clearer way for you to learn. If the course is not right for you, contact us within 30 days of purchase for a refund under the Refund Policy.
No subscription. No recurring charges. Clear terms.
Questions answered
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The course begins with the tiles, setup and flow of the game before moving into card reading, hand selection and strategy. No previous experience is required.
Start today
Your next game can be the one where everything finally makes sense
Get the full 7-module course, the 2026 Hands Guide and the Table-Ready Decision Method for one payment of $34.90.
Instant digital delivery · 30-day money-back guarantee