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I know Mah Jongg

Beginner walkthrough · Step 6 of 8

6. Calling a discard & exposing

ⓘ Fictional training card · NOT the official NMJL card

Not a real card. Fictional practice card — NOT the official NMJL card. Its hands are made up for learning. To play real games, buy the current NMJL card from the League and study it. Real hands, sections and points will be different.

Practice card line (fictional) · Bams

11222333344455

One color = one suit. On the card, two or three colors mean the line needs two or three different suits.

1|1|
2|2|2|
3|3|3|3|
4|4|4|
5|5|

Any one suit · exposed (X) allowed · 14 tiles

Discard floor (center of the table)

NN中R

Your exposed group (face up)

3|3|3|3|

Your rack (13 tiles)

1|1|2|2|2|4|4|4|5|

East discarded a 3 Bam. You held three, so you called "Call!", took the 3 Bam, and set out a Kong of four face up. Then you discarded the Red Dragon to finish your turn.

Dorothy, the veteran

“Once you call and expose a group, it stays face up on your rack. Make sure it fits a hand you can still make.”

Dorothy · The veteranOfficial Rule
North
East
NN中R
West
discards 3 Bam
3|3|3|3|
You — South
A player discards a tile you need. Say "Call", then lay the discard and your matching tiles face up on top of your rack.

Watch it happen: Calling a discard and showing your tiles

EastNorthWestYou · South
NN3|
1|1|2|2|2|3|3|3|4|4|4|5|中R

1/5 East discards a 3 Bam. You hold three 3 Bams, and your target needs four. Strategy Tip

Takes about 15 seconds. You can pause any time and pick up where you left off.

Seen from above. You are always South at the bottom; East is on your left, North across, West on your right. Practice tiles only, not a real NMJL card hand. About 15 seconds.
Show details: how it happens, League rules and tips

How it happens at the table

  1. 1.
    A player discards. If it completes a Pung or larger for you, say "Call" — before the next player racks a drawn tile or discards. Official Rule
  2. 2.
    Say "Call" first. Then place the discard together with your matching tiles face up on top of your rack. Never put a called discard inside your concealed rack. Etiquette
  3. 3.
    Place the group face up on top of your rack where everyone can see it. Official Rule
  4. 4.
    Now discard one tile and name it. Your 13 count is restored. Official Rule
  5. 5.
    Play continues to your right, so any players between the discarder and you are skipped. Official Rule

What the League requires

  • Official Rule You may call a discard only to complete a Pung or larger for exposure, or to declare Mah Jongg. Call before the next player racks a drawn tile or discards.
  • Official Rule Once tiles are exposed they stay exposed. An exposure that can't match any hand on the card makes your hand dead.

Good advice — not a League rule

  • Etiquette Say "Call" first. Then place the discard together with your matching tiles face up on top of your rack. Never put a called discard inside your concealed rack.
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