The Houston Mahjong League

Here’s how the winds will blow!

• DATES: Play for Spring 2025 begins the week of January 22nd and continues for 7 weeks (1/22 1/29 2/5 2/12 2/19 2/26 and 3/5). 
• LEAGUE is a ladder-style competition with different opponents each week. 
• Sign up for DAY play which will be Wednesdays 1:00-3:00. 
• CASH PRIZES for the top teams and bragging rights as Houston's CHAMPION!
• Every other week, teams will play a total of three games and record the scores of each win. 
• HML will determine the matches randomly and send out the entire match schedule before season starts. The team with the highest combined score will win the match. All scores will be recorded.
• TEAM Captains will schedule games and report scores back to HML google form. HOME team captain will contact AWAY team captain to schedule match, time and location. If a team does not have two players available for the match day, they can agree with their opponent to reschedule, but matches must be played before the next scheduled match. Teams can agree to play the match earlier in the season. The opponent has the option to not reschedule. If the match is forfeited, the team with the original conflict will receive 0 points and the opposing team will receive 75 points. 
• All players reporting scores must be league members, if they are not, their scores will not count. NO subs allowed.
• Team captains will input scores directly in the Google Sheet for the matches within 24 hours of completion of the match. Scores of all 3 games are recorded. Open play matches will go toward individual scores on Google Sheet (player one/east will input scores on that week)… the more you play the more you win!
• Please take picture of your score card and send to letsplay@houstonmahjongleague for record keeping. 

House rules to keep it pure are as follows:

1. Home team will begin as east and will rotate dealer; home/away/home.
2. Dealer will roll to cut the deck.
3. SCORING/WIN: If the tile is drawn rather than called to complete Mahjong, the value of the line is doubled. If Mahjong is won and the hand is “pure” (no jokers) the point value is doubled. Singles and Pair hands are not doubled.  Wall games each player get 10 points. Exception: Any hand called dead before the wall game ends gets 0 points.
4. Home Team will provide all materials (tiles, mats, racks, die).
5. Jokers may not be traded between players in the Charleston.
6. The match will be played with 8 jokers and no blanks.
7. Houston Mahjong League will follow the rules printed on the National Mahjongg League Card. 
8. The 2025 Jan-March Houston Mahjong League will be played with the 2024 card.
9. Thank you for limiting texts/phone calls during game play.

The Devil is in the Details:

• Each team will have a roster with a minimum of 2 players and a maximum of  6 players.
• Each Team Captain will self-rate their team as one of the following:

BIRDS - I’M HERE FOR THE MAHJ fun! BEGINNER-INTERMEDIATE (prefer the 25 point hands)

WINDS - MY GAME IS GETTING GOOD and I AM HERE FOR THE "W" INTERMEDIATE-ADVANCED (plays faster)

• Each team will create a team name (get creative).
• 2 players from each team will play in each match. 
• Each team will have a “Home Court”.  League play is at the mahjong house from 1-3 in River Oaks but if needed for make up sessions find a location that works.
• Each team will designate a captain to schedule games and report scores.

• We will send a schedule after registration is due.
• Matches will last approximately 2 hours and must take place on Wednesday between 1pm-3pm. Location will be the Home Court of the designated Home Team - the captains will agree on the schedule time and provide Home Court location 1 week in advance, again we hope you will use the mahjong house. REMEMBER OPEN PLAY is still ON for all team members please confirm status on group me. 
• The Spring League will meet: February 18, February 25, March 4, March 18, April 1 and April 8.

ALL LEAGUE PLAYERS SIGN UP FOR LEAGUE PLAY! Members will be invited on Wednesdays from 1:00- 3:00 to play regardless if they are playing in a match, please use the home for match play (we know there will be circumstances that come up and we are flexible)  There will be a group me sign up for all league members so we will all know who will be IN or OUT that week.  Hope This will build our community and make it more fun for all!