frequently asked questions

League Basics

Scheduling & Match Windows

Teams, Players, & Substitutes

Captains & Responsibilities

Match Play & Scoring

Standings and Tiebreakers

Sportsmanship & Conduct

  • The Beginner division focuses on learning, confidence, and supportive play. Social grace comes first. 

    The Intermediate division is more competitive, with limited table talk and less tolerance for in‑game instruction, while still prioritizing respect and good table manners. 

  • No. To keep scheduling and standings fair, league placement is set for the season. If there’s a clear mismatch, captains should contact league owners to discuss options. 

  • Each team plays four matches total during the season.

  • A match is one scheduled session consisting of four hands. 

  • A hand is one full round of Mahjong, from the deal through Mahjong or exhaustion of the wall.

  • Teams may have 2–4 players on their roster. 

  • Each match is played by exactly two players per team (four players total).

  • Yes. Teams with more than two players may rotate players between matches or between hands. Once a hand starts, the same four players must finish that hand. 

  • No. If a team is short a player, the captain must contact the league owner. Any substitute must be league‑approved and of similar experience level.

Home & Away Team Logistics

  • Home Team status does not mean hosting at a private home. It’s an organizational role for the match.

  • Matches take place at a mutually agreed-upon location. Public venues (clubs, community spaces, restaurants, or cafes with appropriate space and noise level) are a great default, and teams may also play in a private home if everyone agrees in advance. 

  • The teams scheduling the match should confirm whether a reservation is needed and who will place it. If a venue requires a minimum spend or deposit, teams should agree on the plan in advance before confirming the match. 

  • The Home Team: 
    • Brings shared equipment (tiles (#152), racks, mat, dice, shufflers if used) 
    • Tracks the score during the match 
    • Submits final scores via the league portal 
    • Starts Hand 1 as East

  • Each player must bring their own 2026 NMJL card.

Rules Cards, & Equipment

Rule Questions, & Disputes

  • A match window is the two‑week period when your team is expected to complete one match.

  • Match windows are the default schedule. If both teams agree, a match may be played outside the assigned window. description

  • Team captains should contact the league owners as early as possible if scheduling becomes difficult.

  • If a match is not completed, no points are awarded to either team.

  • Most matches take about 1.5–2.5 hours depending on table pace and questions. There is no expectation of speed in the Beginner League—steady, clear play is encouraged. 

  • If someone is running late, the teams should communicate as soon as possible and make a good-faith effort to start within a reasonable window. If a player must leave early, the match should be rescheduled rather than played with a different player mid-match (unless the league owners approve a substitute).

  • Captains should notify the opposing captain as soon as possible. If a team cannot field two players, the match should be rescheduled in good faith within the season. If rescheduling is not possible, captains must contact league owners to determine the outcome and whether a league-approved substitute may be used.

  • Teams should reschedule in good faith within the match window whenever possible. If a disruption affects the end-of-season deadline, captains should contact league owners promptly.

  • Team captains are responsible for scheduling matches, communicating with the opposing captain, and escalating scheduling or rule issues if needed.

  • Captain email addresses will be shared on the league page at the start of the season. Captains may share phone numbers if they’d like, but email is always fine.

  • Contact information is used only for league operations (scheduling and league communication). Captain email addresses are shared with other captains/players via the secure league page. Midnight Mahj does not add league participants to marketing lists without permission. 

  • All matches follow National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) rules.

  • The 2026 NMJL card is required.

  • Eight jokers.

  • No, blanks and extra jokers are not permitted in league matches.

  • Yes. The match should be played with a complete, playable set (152 tiles, racks, and dice). Teams should coordinate ahead of time to confirm equipment. 

  • Encouragement is welcome. Coaching, signaling, or instruction during play is not permitted.

  • Table discussion should be limited to rule clarifications, not instruction or strategy. 

  • Item descriptionRules clarifications focus on process (for example: how to handle a call, how to read an exposure, or what NMJL allows). Coaching involves telling another player what to discard, what hand to pursue, or how to change strategy. Beginner League play is more discussion-friendly, but players should still avoid directing another player’s tile choices during active play. Intermediate League play should keep table talk limited to brief clarifications, not instruction.

  • Before play starts, teams should agree on how rules questions will be resolved. Options include NMJL rules, a shared reference, or tools like ChatGPT. If a question can’t be resolved quickly, make a best-faith call, finish the hand, and flag it to the league owners afterward. 

  • Team captains should contact the league owners for a final decision. 

  • For each hand, the winning team earns points equal to the value of the winning hand on the 2026 NMJL card.

  • The Home Team submits scores via the league portal no later than the last day of the Match window.

  • Captains should contact league owners as soon as possible with the corrected totals and (if available) the hand-by-hand notes. League owners will confirm the correction and update the standings if needed.

  • If the wall is exhausted and no one declares Mahjong, no points are awarded for that hand. 

  • Yes. Matches may end in a tie.

  • If a team does not complete all four hands in a match, the scores for all hands that were played will be recorded. The team with the higher total score from the completed hands will win the match, or the match may end in a tie. 

  • No. There is no wagering, no side bets, and no cash payouts. League fees cover league operations (and may support end-of-season materials). Match points are used only for standings and have no cash value. Any prizes are fun, nominal, and awarded by the league. Players are not risking money on match outcomes.

Hosting a Match

General

  • Final standings are determined by: 

    1. Match record 

    2. Total points scored 

    3. Head‑to‑head results 

  • League owners will determine final placement using a neutral method such as a random draw, and the decision will be shared clearly.

  • No. Hosting is optional and must be agreed upon in advance. 

  • Any food or beverage arrangements should be discussed and agreed to by both teams ahead of time.

  • It’s competitive, but still Midnight Mahj. Respect, clear communication, and good energy matter.

  • Occasional mistakes or incorrect exposures may be excused when addressed promptly and in good faith, consistent with NMJL rules.

  • A false Mahjong declaration results in a dead hand. Play continues with the remaining players.

  • Repeated or intentional violations may result in removal from the league without refund.

  • This is a Spring Preview Season. The league reserves the right to make minor structural adjustments to improve fairness or the overall experience. Any changes will be communicated clearly and in advance.

  • Possibly. Midnight Mahj may host an end-of-season gathering that could include a final match depending on participation. A curated prize (or prize basket) may be awarded to the winning team(s). Prizes are not cash and there is no wagering. Details will be shared via email and the secure league page.