The annual card matters
In common American Mah Jongg play, valid winning hands are defined by a card updated each year. Always use the same current card as the rest of your table.
Charleston tile passing
The Charleston is a series of tile exchanges before normal play. The sequence and optional passes should follow the rules adopted by your group.
Jokers have limits
Jokers can substitute in eligible groups but not everywhere. In particular, a joker cannot simply replace any tile in any hand. Consult the current rules for exact restrictions and exchanges.
Exposed and concealed hands
Calling a discard can reveal tiles in an exposed grouping. Some card hands must remain concealed, so calls may be restricted.
Scoring and etiquette
Scoring depends on the hand and the rules in use. Agree on table etiquette, mistaken exposures and dispute handling before a beginner game.
This is an independent educational overview. For official play, consult the current National Mah Jongg League card and applicable rules. Annual card patterns are not reproduced here.