American Mah Jongg · NMJL Rules
Making Mah Jongg Make Sense.
Learn the why, not just the rules.
American Mah Jongg instruction from a mathematics professor and lifelong educator — for brand-new players, and for experienced players who want sharper, more confident decisions.
Learn at the JCC◆host a private group at home◆or meet at a convenient public location.
The MahjPhD approach
Don’t just learn what to do. Learn why.
Every turn of American Mah Jongg is a small puzzle: incomplete information, competing possibilities, and a decision to make. MahjPhD classes help you see that puzzle clearly — without taking the fun out of the game.
Reasoning over memorization
Rather than memorizing plays, you learn how to recognize what matters, weigh your options, and choose deliberately.
A framework for every turn
The RECoRD Method gives you a repeatable way to think at the table — from your first Charleston to your final discard.
Numbers, used carefully
When data can tell us something useful about the card, we look. When it can’t, we say so.
Signature framework
RECoRD every turn.
Read the rack. Evaluate your options. Commit — or reassess. Then discard.
Read
Read your rack and the table: discards, exposures, and what’s changed since your last turn.
Evaluate
Which hands are realistic? How flexible is your rack? What risks and opportunities are emerging?
Commit or Reassess
Commit when the evidence supports your plan. Pivot when new information says otherwise.
Discard
Let go of the tile least helpful to your plan — the visible result of everything before it.
A curriculum, not just a class
Start where you are. Keep going.
New to American Mah Jongg? Start here. Already play? Let’s sharpen your strategy.
Foundations of American Mah Jongg
Tiles, the NMJL card, the Charleston, and gameplay. For true beginners.
Enrolling at the JCCBuilding Winning Hands
Choosing hands, staying flexible, and using jokers well.
Private & small groupStrategic Decision Making
Reading the table, pivoting, and defensive play.
Private & small groupMastering Competitive Play
Analyzing complex situations and refining your game.
Private & small group
Meet your instructor
Dr. Christopher Dubbs-Nazario
A mathematics professor bringing an analytical approach to American Mah Jongg.
Dr. D-N has spent his career helping students understand complicated ideas — finding patterns, making relationships visible, and reasoning through unfamiliar problems. MahjPhD brings that same way of thinking to the Mah Jongg table.
The goal isn’t to turn anyone into a mathematician. It’s to help you play with more confidence, and enjoy the game even more.
Coming February 2027 · MahjPhD Lab
The card changes every year. So should our analysis.
MahjPhD is developing an annual, data-informed look at the NMJL card: how hands are built, which require the most jokers, which are most flexible, and what that means for the decisions you make at the table.
“The card has opinions. Let’s examine the evidence.” Dr. D-N
Learn the game. Understand the decisions. Play with confidence.
Questions about classes, private lessons, or bringing your group together? Just ask.
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