A strategy question: What’s your approach when you draw a joker you don’t necessarily late in the game?
The Scenario
The hand is Consecutive Run, sixth one down on the NMJL card.
The player had four 5-Bams exposed, and the rest of the tiles were still on her rack. It was late in the game, fewer than 40 tiles left, and she only needed one red dragon to win.
She then drew a joker from the wall.
Instead of discarding it, she made an unconventional choice:
She used the joker to complete the 4-Bam pung, and discarded a 4-Bam tile instead.
Her reasoning?
Discarding the joker might signal to others that she’s waiting for a single or pair to complete her hand.
By discarding the 4-Bam instead, she could throw off her opponents about which hand she was playing.
It’s a clever piece of Mahjong misdirection, but is it worth the risk? Let’s look at both sides.
The Pros: When Holding the Joker Works
1. It Keeps Opponents Guessing
Discarding a joker late in the game can be a clear signal to experienced players: you’re probably waiting on a single or pair. Using the joker instead and discarding something else like a 3 or 4 adds ambiguity and may make others second-guess their reads.
2. It Gives You Flexibility
In some cases, that joker might come in handy if the game shifts again. If you draw a new tile that fits a different pattern, having that joker could let you switch to defense if someone else is close and your tile does not become available.
3. It Can Psychologically Disrupt the Table
Let’s face it, Mahjong has a mind game element. A surprising discard can shake opponents’ confidence in their reads, especially in the endgame when players may be more tense and cautious.
The Cons: When the Joker Play Backfires
1. You Might Feed a Win
Discarding a tile like a 4-Bam instead of a joker can be dangerous. At this stage, every player is close to their finish line. A single risky discard could hand someone Mahjong.
2. Jokers Are Safe Discards
Once a joker hits the mat, it’s dead. No one can claim it. That makes it one of the safest discards possible in the endgame. When safety is your top priority, a joker discard protects you and the integrity of the game.
3. It May Signal Too Much Confidence
Ironically, holding a joker can also give something away. Experienced players know that someone discarding a non-risky tile late in the game might be trying to conceal something. Sometimes, a straightforward play feels less suspicious.
4. This Year’s Card Matters
Each year, the NMJL card changes the landscape of what’s risky. In 2025, many hands include singles and pairs, especially Flowers, NEWS, and Year hands so natural tiles appear across the board. That makes discarding anything but a joker a risk.
So… What’s the Right Move?
As with most things in Mahjong: it depends.
If the wall is almost gone and the table’s energy screams “any tile could win it,” discarding the joker is the safest path.
But if you’re confident the tile you’d discard has already been played or exposed and you’re trying to hide your hand’s direction holding the joker might be a smart bluff.
The consensus? It’s situational and knowing when to take that calculated risk separates thoughtful players from reckless ones.
Endgame Takeaways
Endgame strategy in American Mahjong is a delicate balance between risk management and strategy.
Your tiles, your instincts, and your awareness of the table all matter.
When fewer than 40 tiles remain, ask yourself:
- Am I trying to win or push for a wall game?
- How much information have my discards already revealed?
- Which move reduces my risk the most?
And remember: sometimes the smartest win is a wall game, when you’ve defended wisely and denied anyone else the victory.
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Your Turn:
Have you ever used a joker bluff or held onto one to throw off your opponents?
Did it pay off or backfire?
Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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