Verify Before You Throw in Your Tiles
When someone calls “Mahjong”, your first instinct might be to throw in your tiles and start shuffling for the next game. In American Mahjong, it’s important to pause and verify the winning hand before anyone mixes their tiles. This quick check helps ensure fairness, accuracy, and a smooth game for everyone.
The Winning Player’s Responsibility
Once a player declares Mahjong, they must:
- Arrange exposures and concealed tiles in the correct order according to the NMJL card neatly on top of their rack.
- Clearly identify which hand they were playing.
This transparency allows everyone at the table to verify the win before the game officially ends.
What Other Players Should Do
Do not throw in or mix your tiles until the Mahjong hand has been verified.
Verification ensures:
- The winning hand is valid and complete.
- The correct hand from the card has been matched.
- Everyone agrees on the result before scoring or resetting the game.
If the hand is valid, take a moment to congratulate the winner and celebrate their success.
No Penalty for Quick Corrections
If a player calls Mahjong by mistake but realizes the error before exposing tiles and before any other player exposes or disturbs their hand, the game may continue without penalty.
Always pause and verify your hand against the card before exposing your tiles. A quick check ensures your Mahjong is valid and keeps the game running smoothly.
Handling Mahjong Errors
Mistakes happen, but knowing how to proceed keeps play fair and friendly.
If Mahjong is called in error:
- No one has exposed their tiles: The player is dead, and the remaining three continue play.
- One other player has exposed: The two remaining players finish the hand.
- Two players have exposed: The game is over, and a new round begins.
Throwing in tiles too soon can end the possibility of another player getting mahjong or a wall game, so patience pays off!
Calling and Discards
Once Mahjong is declared, the window to claim the last discard closes. This includes when someone picks up their tile from the wall without racking it and announces, “Mahjong”.
If a hand turns out invalid, play resumes with the next player. The 14th tile stays with the dead hand.
Final Thoughts: Verification = Good Sportsmanship
Verifying Mahjong before throwing in is more than a rule; it’s a mark of respect and good etiquette. Taking a moment to confirm ensures fair play and keeps the game enjoyable for everyone.
Remember: the game isn’t over until the Mahjong is verified!
Source: Mahjong Made Easy 2024 Pg 21-23
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