Question: When does the annual card get created and when does it get mailed? I’m also curious as to how they come up with the new hands each year?

Answer: The National Mah Jongg League publishes a new card annually. Following is a guide and timeline of when things happen:

•August – November: A group of experienced players test potential hands by playing 3 days a week, 6 hours a day thru the first week in November.

•November: The new card committee meets to make final decisions for the new card based on test results.

•December: The new card goes to production. Also, the next bulletin is drafted.

•January: The National Mah Jongg League Bulletin is released.

•February – New card order deadline for the first batch.

•Late March – Early April – The first batch of orders is shipped.

•Late April – Early May – The second batch of orders is shipped.

Since there is limited space on the back of the card, the league prints fundamental and frequently-asked rules. The league publishes all the rules in a booklet called, Mah Jongg Made Easy. Sometimes, rulings are also published in annual bulletins or written in replies to player correspondence. These rulings can be found in Index of rules not found in Mah Jongg Made Easy (Article ID00).

To purchase the card, please visit: https://www.nationalmahjonggleague.org