Dragons may look simple, but for many American Mahjong players, they create some of the biggest “Wait… what?” moments at the table.
If you’ve ever hesitated over which Dragon belongs with which suit, wondered why Soap sometimes turns into a zero, or felt unsure whether your hand still counts as one suit… you’re not alone. Every player has wrestled with Dragons at some point.
The good news?
Once you understand how Dragons match, building hands becomes easier, smoother, and far more fun.
This guide breaks the mystery down to strengthen your understanding of the card and you can play with confidence. Think of matching Dragons as creating harmony in your hand with each tile working together, each choice reflecting clarity and confidence.
Which Dragon Matches Which Suit?
In American Mahjong, each Dragon corresponds to one of the three suits. When you’re working on a one-suit hand, using the correct Dragon keeps your pattern within that suit.
Dragon-to-Suit Matchups
- White Dragon → Dots
- Red Dragon → Craks
- Green Dragon → Bams
Example: 2025 NMJL Card Consecutive Run Line 5
If you’re working on an all-Craks hand that calls for a Dragon, you must use the Red Dragon to keep the hand one suit.
Does Using the Matching Dragon Still Count as One Suit?
Yes, a matching Dragon is considered part of the suit.
Hands With Matching Dragons
- All Dots + White Dragon = One-suit hand
- All Bams + Green Dragon = One-suit hand
- All Craks + Red Dragon = One-suit hand
Hands With Dragons In Different Suits
White Dragon/Soap or Zero: How to Know the Difference
The White Dragon (Soap) has a dual identity, and this is where many players get stuck.
When It’s a Dragon
- It matches Dots
- It counts as a traditional Dragon tile
- It behaves just like Red and Green Dragons do for their suits
When It’s Zero
- It is suit-neutral
- It can support any suit in year and math hands
Do zeros belong to a suit?
No. Soap as zero is suit-neutral and is not attached to Craks, Bams, or Dots.
A great example: 2025 category Line 3 on the 2025 NMJL Card.
When Can I Use White Dragon/Soap as Zero?
Let’s look at a clear example from the 2025 NMJL Card.
In the 13579 section, Line 4, the hand includes a 10, where:
- The 1 in “10” can be any suit
- It must be different from the kongs of 1s and 9s
- The 0 must be a White Dragon or Soap, because this is the only dragon that can act as zero
Example Breakdown
- Kong of 1s → Any suit
- Kong of 9s → Same suit as the 1s
- “10” → 1 is a different suit + 0 (White Dragon/ Soap)
- The zero does not represent a suit and cannot be replaced with a Red or Green Dragon
This is where the White Dragon truly transforms, shifting from a matching Dragon to a neutral number that helps math and year hands work smoothly.
What If a Hand Says “Any Dragon”?
If a pattern specifies any Dragon, you have full flexibility:
- Red, Green, or White
- Matching or not matching
- Even if the rest of the hand is one suit
This wording gives you freedom to choose the Dragon that makes your hand work best.
A great example: Any Like Number, Line 3 on the 2025 NMJL Card.
Memory Tricks for Remembering Dragon Matches
These simple cues help the associations stick and make it easier to remember.
Visual Clues
- Bams are green → Green Dragon
- Craks use red characters → Red Dragon
- Dots are round like bubbles, and Soap makes bubbles → White Dragon
- Pearls are white → Dots = White Dragon
The Backup Plan
If you remember any two, the third reveals itself automatically.
Conclusion
Understanding Dragons isn’t just about getting the rule right; it’s about feeling calm, capable, and connected to the flow of the game.
Knowledge builds confidence, and confidence opens the door to joy, connection, and those little moments around the table that stay with us.
With these insights in your pocket, may your hands feel clearer, your choices more intentional, and your game more enjoyable for you and everyone you play with.
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