In American Mahjong, understanding how and when a hand is declared dead is essential for keeping games fair and fun. A “dead hand” isn’t a punishment; it’s part of the official National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) rules that ensure proper gameplay.
Whether you’re a beginner, a returning player, or heading into tournaments, this guide covers:
- What a dead hand is
- Who can call it (and who can’t)
- The most common rule violations
- What happens to jokers in a dead hand
- How to handle disputes over dead hands
What Is a Dead Hand in American Mahjong?
A dead hand is a hand that has violated NMJL rules and can no longer result in a winning Mahjong. The player is eliminated from the current game (but still pays the winner if applicable) and must stop drawing or discarding tiles.
Importantly:
You may not call your own hand dead.
Even if you realize you made a mistake, it’s up to other players at the table to recognize and declare the hand dead.
If you suspect your hand is dead, your best move is to:
- Stay silent
- Play defensively
- Aim to block others from winning (e.g., wall game)
8 Common Reasons a Mahjong Hand Is Declared Dead
Here are the top rules violations that result in a dead hand:
1. Wrong Number of Tiles
Players must always hold:
- 13 tiles (during play)
- 14 tiles (only when declaring Mah Jongg)
If you have more or fewer—other than momentarily during your turn—your hand is dead.
2. Declaring Mahjong in Error
Calling “Mahjong!” and revealing an invalid hand ends your game. If you can’t legally win and your tiles are exposed, the hand is dead, and you stop playing.
3. Unwinnable Hand
If it’s evident that your hand is impossible to complete (e.g., needed tiles have all been discarded or exposed), others can declare your hand dead.
Must be based on visible tiles — not speculation about what’s in your rack.
4. Invalid Exposure
Examples:
- Exposing a pong instead of a kong
- Using jokers for singles or pairs
- Exposing NEWS or 2025 (which are always concealed)
These result in an immediate dead hand.
5. Playing a Hand Not on the Card
If your exposures don’t match any hand on the current NMJL card—whether wrong suits, grouping, or dragon combinations—your hand is invalid.
6. Exposing a Concealed Hand
Some hands on the Mah Jongg card must remain completely concealed. If you expose any part of such a hand, it becomes dead.
7. Joker Exchange Out of Turn
You may only exchange a joker after you pick or call a tile. Exchanging before your turn officially begins violates the rules.
Use these mnemonics:
- PRED: Pick → Rack → Exchange → Discard
- CEED: Call → Expose → Exchange → Discard
8. Picking or Racking Incorrectly
- Picking out of turn
- Picking from the wrong wall
- Racking from the wrong end of the wall
Pro Tip: Always reach toward the center of the table when picking to avoid grabbing from the wrong end.
What Happens to Jokers in a Dead Hand?
Not all jokers in a dead hand are off-limits! Here’s how it works:
| Joker Exposure Timing | Exchangeable? |
| Before the hand was declared dead | ✅ Yes |
| Part of the exposure that made the hand dead | ❌ No |
| From a concealed hand declared dead | ❌ No |
This makes joker strategy and timing incredibly important when deciding whether or not to call someone’s hand dead.
Can I Call a Hand Dead If I Suspect It?
Yes—but only if you’re confident the hand violates a clear rule.
Pause the game respectfully, explain your reasoning, and check with others at the table if needed.
✅ Example: You know all four white dragons are visible, and a player exposed a hand that requires one? That hand is likely dead.
What If Someone Calls My Hand Dead… and They’re Wrong?
Mistakes happen. If another player incorrectly calls your hand dead:
- Stay calm and continue playing.
- The game goes on.
- After the game, review the hand with all players.
- If playing for money, and the claim was wrong, the challenger pays $0.50 to the accused.
However, if you agree your hand is dead, you must stop playing immediately.
Do I Have to Call Someone’s Hand Dead?
Not necessarily. Some players use this strategically. For example:
- Don’t call dead if you want to exchange for a joker later.
- Do call dead immediately if you’re trying to stop another player from making a joker exchange before you.
Evaluate the risk/reward based on what’s best for your game—but remember, enforcing the rules helps everyone play more accurately.
Final Mahjong Etiquette Tips
Keep your 13 tiles in the rack at all times
If your hand is dead, say nothing about other hands or strategies
Be respectful when calling another player’s hand dead
Learn from mistakes—it’s part of the game!
Great Resources to Deepen Your Knowledge
- National Mah Jongg League Card – Front and back panels
- Mah Jongg Made Easy – Official rulebook
Sources: Mah Jongg Made Easy (2024 page 19- 22)
EXCHANGING A JOKERS FROM A DEAD HAND (Article 38)
Sloperama American Mah-Jongg FAQs
Stay Connected with Mahj Mind
Got a question or idea? Email us: MahjMind@gmail.com
Join the community: Mahj Mind AZ Facebook Group
Leave a comment