Best mahjong hands to play on the 2026 NMJL card

Everyone in the American Mahjong world right now is asking the same question: What are the best hands to play on the 2026 NMJL card?

NMJL 2026 cards

Each player will “see” different sequences. Scientists have proven that our brains recognize familiar patterns. There will be 14 tile sequences that stand out to one player, and another player just can’t “see” the same pattern.

I consulted a web developer from Eight Bam to give me the data on the 2026 NMJL card. Some tiles are used more than others on this card.

Consider these hard facts when choosing the best mahjong hands to play on the 2026 NMJL card.

Possible tile use:

1s: total 864

2s: total 1173

3s: total 1374

4s: total 1218

5s: total 1365

6s: total 1602

7s: total 1212

8s: total 1074

9s: total 1086

Soaps:  total 790

Red dragons: total 736

Green Dragons: total 736

North: total 127

East: total 118

West: total 121

South: total 136

Flowers: total 1346

Let this data on the tiles help you choose a line on the 2026 NMJL card. One of the most fun parts of the American Mahjong game is that every hand is different.

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There are three ways to strategize which are the best mahjong hands to play on the 2026 NMJL card:

Consider the tiles you are dealt

Which mahjong tiles do you see? Look for patterns and like numbers. Have a section of the card that you want to play.

Watch the Charleston

If you pass winds during the Charleston and they never come back to you, you will know that someone is collecting them. Play defensively and discard potential exposures the other player needs early.

Avoid singles and pair hands you haven’t completed during the Charleston

If you need a soap for a 2026 hand, pivot by the end of the Charleston. If you need a pair of 1 dots and you only have 1, pivot early.

What are the easiest hands to win in mahjong? The best hands to play on the 2026 NMJL card are:

1234 DDD DDD DDDD (any 4 consecutive nos in any 1 suit, any 3 dragons)

111 222 3333 4444 or 111 222 3333 4444 (any 4 consecutive nos, any one or two suits)

If I had to pick two hands to play every single game, I would choose one of these.

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Mahjong tiles from Dear Mahjong in Nashville