The Big Card is an American Mahjong card created by the big brains at The Mahjong Line and I LOVE MAHJ.  Our love of competitive play inspired us to create a card with a statistically-supported scoring system.  We also wanted a fresh card ready each January, bringing new energy to the slower winter months.  And we are proud that 30% of card sales from our website are donated to charity.

We like big ideas. Big brains. And big fun. Thus, The Big Card.  We think The Big Card is a game-changer full of BIG ideas like smart design, a statistically-supported points system, dedicated customer support and a verifiable amount given to charity every year. 

Yes! The Big Card follows the long-standing rules and traditional terminology of American Mahjong. It stays true to the classic game while introducing a few fresh design updates we think you’re going to love.

The Big Card is available only in physical form and is not offered digitally. There is a strong charitable component built into this product - 30% of all cards sold through our website are donated to charity. To maximize that impact, we focus exclusively on the sale of physical cards.

The Big Card will ship every year at the end of December. The quiet months of January and February are prime game time, and the new card is ready to bring the fun.

The Big Card is a trifold and measures 6" x 5.25" when folded.

We added line numbers to make it easier for players to reference specific hands on the card. This is helpful during teaching, gameplay, and even when declaring mahjong, as players can quickly identify the hand they completed by noting the section and line number.

We developed the hands on The Big Card 2026 through a collaborative, data-driven, and creative process. The Mahjong Line, I LOVE MAHJ, and a team of mahjong experts began with a broad range of fresh, original hand concepts. From there, we moved through multiple rounds of design, refinement, play-testing, and computer simulations to ensure every hand felt exciting, fair, and highly playable.

Once the draft card was complete, it underwent rigorous validation. The entire card was run through more than one million simulated games on the I LOVE MAHJ platform to assess balance, difficulty, switchability, and point alignment. Based on those results, we made final adjustments to ensure the 2026 card delivers a dynamic, well-rounded playing experience - one that feels both innovative and true to American Mahjong tradition.

Absolutely. American Mahjong has always been rooted in community and generosity.  From its earliest days, the game held special meaning in Jewish women’s circles - offering not only friendship and connection but also a way to give back. We’re proud to carry that tradition forward by giving back 30% for each card purchased on our website.

The supported charity rotates each quarter. For 2026, the first quarter beneficiary is Make‑A‑Wish. Our pending second quarter charity partner is Jewish Federations of North America.

We carefully selected three colors that work harmoniously together, ensuring each hand is easy to read while avoiding any suggestion that the colors correspond to specific suits.  We did not want to use red and green for the hands because these colors can confuse new players, who might associate red with Crak and green with Bam. Red‑green combinations can also be difficult to distinguish for those with color vision deficiencies.

In partnership with I LOVE MAHJ, we tested The Big Card extensively throughout its development. Prospective hands were evaluated repeatedly through both live play and online simulations, with each round of data informing refinements and further testing until we reached the ideal balance of challenge and playability.

Once the hand selection was finalized, the full card underwent rigorous testing through more than one million simulated games. This data revealed which hands were most likely to win, allowing us to assign point values based on each hand’s relative difficulty. The result is a fair, balanced, and rewarding gameplay experience.

We decided to do things a little differently! Instead of designating specific “concealed” hands, any hand on the card can be played concealed and will earn its printed point value plus a 10-point bonus. For example, a simple 10-point hand could score 20 points if completed with no exposures.

The only exceptions are the hands marked with a “C.” These hands consist solely of singles and pairs and must always be played concealed - so the bonus is already built into their assigned point value.

The Big Card is designed for all skill levels. Expert-crafted and thoroughly data-tested, each hand is assigned a point value based on its difficulty. This allows newcomers to focus on simpler, lower-value hands while more experienced players can chase the higher-value, more challenging ones.

Working in collaboration with I LOVE MAHJ, we analyzed data from more than one million simulated games to understand the relative difficulty and winnability of each hand. The results revealed which hands were easiest—those won most often—and which were more complex and challenging. We used this information to calibrate the point values so each hand’s score reflects its true difficulty. The result is a scoring system that rewards strategic decision-making, offers ample switchability, and delivers a gameplay experience that feels fair and engaging for players of all levels.

The ability to switch hands is strategically important because your tiles shouldn’t lock you into a single path. As your hand evolves, your strategy can shift too—sometimes toward a more challenging, higher-value hand, or even into a completely different section of the card. Other times, you may need to change course if the complex hand you were building isn’t coming together.

With The Big Card, you have plenty of pivot options, even after making an exposure, so you’re far less likely to be locked in or to reveal exactly which hand you’re pursuing. That’s the power of switchability.

Yes!  We believe in collective intelligence. Built not by a single mind, but by many. Each year, sections of The Big Card are co-created through crowdsourcing, celebrating creativity and strategic thinking-so give it your best shot!

Yes indeed! The Big Card is waterproof, ready to handle spills, splashes, beach trips, poolside fun, or any outdoor adventure.

Yes! The Big Card will be available for play on I LOVE MAHJ starting January 1st of each year.

We love talking mahjong and are here to help!  Email us at tbc@themahjongline.com for quick answers and insight.  Plus, our website thebigcard.com is packed with helpful resources and mahjong knowledge for beginners and seasoned players alike.