Official American Mahjong Payout Principles
In American Mahjong (NMJL rules), game settlement is straightforward, fair, and based on who made the winning move:
- Card Base Value: Standard exposed hands (X) score 25 points; concealed (C) hands score 30–35 points; Quints score 40–45 points; Singles & Pairs score 50 points.
- Self-Drawn from Wall: All 3 opponents pay DOUBLE (2x) the base points.
- Called on a Discard: The specific discarder pays DOUBLE (2x); the other two opponents pay SINGLE (1x).
- Jokerless Double: If a hand that normally permits Jokers is achieved with natural tiles only, the entire payout is DOUBLED again.
- Third Exposure Liability: If an opponent shows 3 exposures matching only 1 possible hand on the card and you discard the hot tile, you pay the entire table's score alone.
Example Settlement Calculations
- 25-Point Hand via Discard: Discarder pays 50 pts (or 50¢); Opponents 2 and 3 pay 25 pts each. Winner receives 100 pts ($1.00).
- 25-Point Hand Self-Drawn: Opponent 1, 2, and 3 each pay 50 pts (2x). Winner receives 150 pts ($1.50).
- 25-Point Hand Jokerless Self-Drawn: Base becomes 50 pts (2x Jokerless). Each opponent pays 100 pts (2x self-draw). Winner receives 300 pts ($3.00).
- 50-Point Singles & Pairs Self-Drawn: Each opponent pays 100 pts. Winner receives 300 pts ($3.00).