The NMJL Card vs. a Siamese Card

Every hand you build in Siamese still has to match a line on a card — the same idea as standard American mahjong, where you can only win with a hand that is printed. In Siamese you have two card choices, and you pick which one you are playing before the game.

The standard yearly card

You can play Siamese on the ordinary National Mah Jongg League card that changes each year — the same card most American mahjong players already own. Both of your hands are matched against it, independently.

A dedicated Siamese card

There is also a dedicated Siamese card, a separately published product with its own set of hands designed for this game. If you choose it, both of your hands are judged against that card instead.

What stays the same either way

Whichever card you choose, the rule is the same: each of your two hands must independently be a valid pattern on the card in use. One card, two hands, both judged against it. Choosing the card is simply a table setting you agree on up front — after that, play is identical.

The dedicated Siamese card is a separate copyrighted product; we support playing with it but never reproduce it. Bring your own copy of whichever card you choose.