Can a Joker be used for any digit in '2026'?

Never! Under official National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) rules, the digits representing the current year (2 0 2 6) are considered single tiles and pairs. Jokers can NEVER be used for single tiles or pairs. All four digits (2, White Dragon Soap for 0, 2, and 6) must be 100% natural tiles.

Does the White Dragon (Soap) act as Zero (0) in all sections of the card?

No! Soap acts as a Zero (0) ONLY in the Current Year section (e.g. 2026). In all other sections of the card (such as Consecutive Runs, 2468, 13579, and 369), Soap functions strictly as the Dragon for the Dot suit. Soap is NEVER a 0 outside of year hands.

If I am playing 2026 in Bams or Craks, does Soap have to be a Dot?

Soap is physically a Dot dragon, but in the Current Year section, it transcends suit rules to represent Zero (0) for Bams, Craks, and Dots alike. Even in an all-Crak 2026 hand, the White Dragon is legally used as the 0.

When does the 2026 NMJL card officially take effect?

The official in-effect date for every annual NMJL card is sharp at midnight on April 1st. Tournament play and club games strictly invalidate previous year cards on April 1st.

What is the best escape pivot if opponents discard all 6s?

If key year numbers (like 6s or Soaps) are dead on the table: (1) Pivot directly into 2468 Evens using your 2s and 6s, (2) Pivot to Consecutive Runs if holding adjacent numbers (e.g. 1-2-3-4), or (3) Pivot to Any Like Numbers using your Pung/Kong melds.

2026 NMJL Current Year Hands: Official Rules, Soap Zero & Joker Laws

The Current Year section is the annual hallmark of American Mahjong. Learn the fundamental White Dragon Soap Zero convention, the strict natural-tile requirement for 2-0-2-6, and escape pivots.

1. Anatomy of the 2026 Year Hand Lines

Every annual card features variations on the active calendar year:

2026 with Matching Dragons: Combines the four year digits with Pungs or Kongs of suit-matched dragons.
Monochrome (1-Suit) 2026: All tiles belong to one suit with Soap providing the zero.
2026 with Winds (NEWS): Integrates wind tiles with the numerical year block.
Concealed 2026 Lines: High scoring hands that must be self-drawn behind the rack.

2. The Soap (White Dragon) Zero Convention

Because American Mahjong tiles range from 1 to 9, the White Dragon (Soap) is officially designated to serve as the Zero (0) in Current Year lines. In all other sections of the card, Soap functions strictly as the Dot suit dragon.

3. Absolute Prohibition of Jokers in Year Digits

Under NMJL regulations, Jokers may NEVER be placed into the single digits or pairs of 2 0 2 6. Every year digit must consist of natural tiles.