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The Big Card: FAQs
What inspired The Big Card?
We love American Mahjong and honor the Jewish women who established its enduring rules in 1937. So when we set out to create a card, we knew it had to be an American Mahjong card. Inspired by our love of competitive play, we set out to create a card with a statistically grounded scoring system - and to release a fresh one at the end of each year, bringing new energy to the slower winter months.
How much does The Big Card cost?
Claim your Free Big Card
When is The Big Card released?
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.
Is there a charitable component to The Big Card?
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.
How much does The Big Card give back?
Which charity benefits from sales of The Big Card?
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.
How did you select the colors for the hands?
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.
How did you come up with the points for each hand?
In partnership with I LOVE MAHJ, we then ran over one million simulated games using bots to test the card. From this data, we analyzed which hands tended to win, lose, or fall somewhere in between. This iterative process was repeated multiple times until we achieved the perfect balance of hands for The Big Card. Then point values were assigned to each hand according to its relative difficulty, ensuring a balanced and rewarding gameplay experience.
What is the +10 point bonus?
In partnership with I LOVE MAHJ, we created a point system that rewards winning with tougher hands. Players who declare mahjong without exposures get 10 extra points, except for hands marked with a “C,” which must be played concealed and do not qualify for the bonus.
How did you ensure The Big Card supports strategic, flexible play?
In collaboration with I LOVE MAHJ, we conducted a statistical analysis from over one million games* played with The Big Card to evaluate the relative complexity and winnability of each hand. Our findings show that hands with lower scores are those most frequently won, while less commonly won hands demonstrate higher levels of difficulty. Accordingly, point values were calibrated to reflect these probabilities, creating a scoring system in which each hand’s value corresponds directly to its statistical likelihood of winning.
*One million games played with 8 flowers and 8 jokers.
How did you come up with the points for each hand?
In partnership with I LOVE MAHJ, we then ran over one million simulated games using bots to test the card. From this data, we analyzed which hands tended to win, lose, or fall somewhere in between. This iterative process was repeated multiple times until we achieved the perfect balance of hands for The Big Card. Then point values, 10 to 85, were assigned to each hand according to its relative difficulty, ensuring a balanced and rewarding gameplay experience.
Why is the ability to switch hands strategically important?
Think you’re locked into one hand? Think again. As your hand evolves, so can your strategy-sometimes leading to a tougher hand with a higher score, or even to a completely different section. That’s switchability in action.
Is the card really waterproof?
Yes indeed! The Big Card is waterproof, ready to handle spills, splashes, beach trips, poolside fun, or any outdoor adventure.
Can I contribute a line to The Big Card?
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!
Who do I contact if I have questions about The Big Card?
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.
The Big Card: Sections
Where are the singles and pairs?
On The Big Card, singles and pairs don’t have their own section-they pop up in all sections! By mixing them into their natural sections, players are more likely to spot these tricky hands when the tiles line up just right. They’re harder to make, but that’s why they’re worth more points.
Where are the quints?
On The Big Card, quints don’t get their own section - they’re sprinkled throughout. This design lets players discover quints where they naturally fit, making it easier to spot those rare opportunities as the game unfolds.
Why does the Winds - Dragons section only have a few options?
Winds and dragons are featured generously across The Big Card rather than confined to a single section. We love the many chances this gives players to use the winds and dragons they pick up during the Charleston - or draw from the wall. This design also boosts the card’s switchability, making it easier to pivot between sections as the hand unfolds.
What is Mad Math?
We love seeing math on the card - so much that it gets its very own section! Like the Big Brain section, these lines feature numbers that aren’t traditionally paired together. And for anyone worried about doing the math themselves, don’t worry - we’ve done all the calculations for you!
What is Big Brain?
The Big Brain section is designed to push players beyond traditional card groupings. Here, you’ll find numbers that rarely appear together, playful word combinations, and hands that challenge your strategic thinking. These “stretch-your-mind” hands reward creativity and foresight, giving an edge to players who can spot unconventional patterns and plan several moves ahead.
How are concealed hands noted on The Big Card?
Concealed hands are shaded and marked with a “C” for easy identification.
The Big Card: Parenthesis
What does MATCHING PUNGS mean?
What does MATCHING KONGS mean?
What does NON-MATCHING KONGS mean?
What does OPPOSITE SUITS mean?
When a hand requires opposite suits, the tiles in one color must be a different suit from tiles in a another color. For example, if one group is dots, the next must be bams or craks.
What does DRAGONS MATCH mean?
Each suit has a corresponding or “matching” dragon. The green dragon matches the bams, the red dragon matches the craks and the white dragon (soap) matches the dots. When the color of the dragon in a line corresponds in color to another element of the line, then those two elements must match suits. For example, if the card says “DRAGONS MATCH PUNG” then the dragon must match the suit of the pung.
What is a QUINT?
A quint consists of five identical tiles. Because there are only four of each standard tile in a mahjong set, quints generally require the use of a joker. Flowers, however, are unique. Since a standard mahjong set includes eight flowers, a quint of flowers can be formed without a joker, though one or more may still be used.
American Mahjong Rules
Players can find a simplified version of the rules of American Mahjong by scanning the QR on the back of The Big Card! This version boils the game down to its basics and is a great resource for beginning players. There is a link to a printable pdf version of the rules, perfect for carrying in your favorite mahjong tote!
