Misnaming a tile—whether by accident or intention—happens in Mahjong. The good news? The National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) provides clear rules to keep the game fair. Understanding these situations helps you avoid confusion, prevent dead hands, and play with confidence.
What Happens When a Player Misnames a Discard
If Player A discards a tile but calls it by the wrong name:
- The player must correctly name the tile.
- They cannot take it back or change their discard.
- Once correctly named, the tile can be called for an exposure.
Special Rules for Jokers
Jokers may be discarded and named in one of three ways: “Joker”, “Same”, or the name of the previous discard.
Important: A discarded Joker cannot be claimed. When a Joker is discarded, all tiles on the table including the one named correctly before it are considered dead.
If a Player Calls Mahjong on a Misnamed Tile
Things get serious if a Mahjong is declared incorrectly. Example: Player A discards a 3 Dot but mistakenly calls it a 3 Bam. Player B calls Mahjong on “3 Bam.”
According to NMJL rules:
- The discarder (Player A) must pay four times the value of the hand.
- The other two players do not pay.
- The game ends immediately once the error is identified.
Exposures Made on an Incorrectly Named Tile
If a player makes an exposure using a misnamed tile (without declaring Mahjong):
- Their hand is dead.
- The miscaller is not penalized.
- The error is the responsibility of the player who made the exposure.
A Common Scenario: When It’s Too Late to Call
Here’s an example that came up in play:
The Situation:
- Player A discarded a tile but misnamed it.
- Player B needed the tile as shown and asked Player A to correct the name.
- Before the correction was made, Player C drew and racked.
- Player C then stated it was too late for Player B to claim the tile.
Was this played correctly?
Yes. According to NMJL rules, Player B would have needed to immediately say “hold” or “call” to pause play before asking Player A to correct the misnamed tile. Once Player C drew and racked, it was too late to claim the discard.
These situations can feel frustrating in the moment, but they happen to everyone. The key is remembering that timing matters, calling “hold” right away gives you the chance to clarify and claim the tile before the game moves forward.
Two Players Call Mahjong at the Same Time
What if one player claims Mahjong on the misnamed tile, while another claims Mahjong on the actual tile that was discarded?
- Looking takes priority over listening.
- The player who claims the correct tile (the one physically on the table) wins the hand.
Key Takeaway: Mahjong is a Game of Looking and Listening
To avoid penalties and dead hands, always:
- 👀 Look carefully at the discarded tile.
- 👂Listen closely to ensure the name matches the discard.
- Place the claimed tile on the flat part of your rack before adding exposure tiles.
Taking a moment to confirm both sight and sound helps keep the game fair—and keeps you in play.
Final Thought: Mistakes Happen—But Rules Keep It Fun
Misnamed tiles are part of the learning process in Mahjong. Knowing the NMJL rules ensures the game stays enjoyable, fair, and free from confusion. The more you practice looking and listening, the more confident and successful you’ll become at the table.
Sources:
National Mah Jongg League Card
Mah Jongg Made Easy (2024 edition) p 16
A PLAYER MISNAMES A DISCARD AND THE TILE IS IN THEIR HAND (Article 80)
SIMULTANEOUS CALL FOR MAH JONGG WITH A MISNAMED DISCARD (Article 94)
FAQ 19 American Mah-Jongg FAQs
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