Beginner League

The Midnight Mahj Beginner League is designed to help players build confidence, reinforce core NMJL rules, and enjoy Mahjong in a friendly, supportive environment. Learning, patience, and good table etiquette are part of the experience. The guiding principle of the Beginner League is social grace: kindness, inclusion, and learning are prioritized over speed or technical perfection.

Intermediate League

The Midnight Mahj Intermediate League is intended for players who are comfortable with NMJL rules and ready for more competitive play, while still prioritizing strong table presence, fairness, and respect. In the Intermediate League, table discussion should be limited to rule clarifications only. Instruction or coaching during play is discouraged.

Definitions

Match
A scheduled gameplay session consisting of four hands (games).

Hand (game)
One full round of Mahjong play, from dealing through Mahjong or exhaustion of the wall.

Match Window
A designated time period during which teams are expected to complete one match.

Social Grace
The guiding principle of Midnight Mahj: kindness, patience, inclusion, clear communication, and fair play.

League Format

• Each team plays 4 matches total, with 4 hands (games) in each match
• Each team plays one match per match window
• Teams may play each other more than once
• No team plays more than one match in a single window

Match Windows

• May 3 – May 16 
• May 17 – May 30 
• May 31 – June 13 
• June 14 – June 27 

Teams are expected to complete one match per window. If both teams agree, a match may be played outside the assigned window. If scheduling challenges arise, captains should contact the league owners as early as possible.

Team Captains and Scheduling

Each team has a designated captain. Captain email addresses will be shared on the league page at the start of the season. Team captains are responsible for:
• Coordinating match date, time, and location
• Communicating with the opposing captain
• Escalating scheduling or rule issues to the league owners

If a match is not completed by the end of the season, no points will be awarded to either team.

Team, Players, and Rosters

• Teams may roster 2–4 players
• Each match is played by exactly two players per team
• Teams with more than two players may rotate players between matches or between hands
• Once a hand begins, the same four players must complete that hand

Substitutes

If a team is short a player, the captain must contact the league owner to identify a league substitute of a similar experience level. Substitutes may not be self‑selected without league approval.

Home and Away Responsibilities

Each match has a designated Home Team and Away Team. Home and Away status does not imply hosting at a private residence.

Home Team Responsibilities

• Provide shared equipment: tiles, racks, mat, dice, and shuffler if used
• Track scoring during the match
• Submit final match scores via the league portal by the last day of the match window
• Begin Hand 1 as East

Players are responsible for bringing their own NMJL cards.

Rules, Cards, and Equipment

• All matches follow National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) rules
• 2026 NMJL card is required
• 8 jokers
• Blanks are not permitted

Teams are responsible for coordinating shared supplies. Players must bring their own NMJL card.

Rule Clarifications

Players are expected to arrive with a working knowledge of NMJL rules.

Table discussion during play should be limited to rule clarifications, not instruction or coaching.

Before play begins, teams should agree on how rules questions will be resolved. Options may include NMJL rules, an agreed‑upon reference, or AI tools such as ChatGPT. If a dispute cannot be resolved at the table, team captains should contact the league owners for a final determination.

Match Set-up and Seating

• Four players total per match (two per team unless a league substitute has been identified)
• The Home Team sets up all materials for game-play once all players are present, unless arranged otherwise in advance
• The Home Team (either player) begins as East for Hand 1
• East rotates after each hand per standard NMJL rules

Food and Beverage

Any food or beverage arrangements must be agreed upon in advance. There is no expectation of hosting at a team member’s home unless explicitly discussed. 

Match Structure and Scoring

• Each match consists of 4 hands (games)
• For each hand, the winning team earns points equal to the point value of the winning hand on the 2026 NMJL card
• If a hand (game) ends with no one winning mahjong, no points are earned
• Matches may end in a tie
• There is no wagering, no side bets, and no cash payouts; match points are used only for standings and have no cash value, and any prizes are fun, nominal, and awarded by the league.

Standings and Tiebreakers

Standings will be updated at the close of each Match Week on the league site. Final standings will be determined using: 

1. Match record 

2. Total points scored 

3. Head‑to‑head result 

 If teams remain tied, final placement will be determined by the league owners using a neutral method such as a random draw.  The decision will be communicated clearly to all teams. 

Sportsmanship, Mistakes, and Social Grace

This is competitive, but still Midnight Mahj. 

• Play with respect 
• Keep the game moving 
• Communicate clearly and calmly 
• Maintain a welcoming table culture 

The goal is strong play, good energy, and mutual respect. Occasional mistakes or incorrect exposures may be excused when addressed promptly and in good faith, consistent with NMJL rules where applicable. A false Mahjong declaration results in a dead hand.

Players must play their own hands independently. Coaching, signaling, or coordinated strategy is not permitted. Encouragement is welcome. Instruction is not. Repeated or intentional violations may result in removal from the league without refund.

Administrative Note

Because this is a Spring Preview Season, Midnight Mahj reserves the right to make minor structural adjustments to improve fairness and the overall experience. Any updates will be communicated clearly and in advance

Beginner Teams

• The Tile High Club 
• Tile Titans 
• Mahj-aritas 
• Crack Queens 

Intermediate Teams

• Bam Chow 
• Crak Addicts 
• Mama Needs a Bird Bam 
• Mahjong à Trois 

Beginner Match Schedule