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A Fall Mahjong Night Checklist
October 13, 2026
October is when American tables come back from summer. Daylight drops, the card is already in play, and a living room beats a patio. Treat the first fall night like a reopening, not a casual deal.
Before anyone arrives
- Current NMJL card on a stand. Spare card in the case.
- 160 tiles counted once. Jokers in a dish so they do not hide in a Crak pile.
- Four racks. Mat if the wood is slick.
- Overhead light on. Green bams disappear under one lamp.
- Water and dry snacks. Wings wait until the set is cased.
During the night
Deal the first wall on time. Remind the table of courtesy-pass and second-Charleston house rules. Play two walls if you can. The first fall night that ends after one interrupted hand is how the group drifts until Thanksgiving.
When they leave, wipe the tiles, dry them, and put the case back where you sit — not in the hall closet. The next invitation is easier when the set is already in the room.