DISCARDS CANNOT BE CALLED TO COMPLETE A PAIR (Article 125)

Commentary: A player may not claim a discard to use as a single tile or to complete a pair unless the claim results in mah jongg. In practical terms, a discard may only be claimed to form an exposure of three or more identical tiles, or to complete a winning hand.

Once a player is ready to win, however, they may call any discard that completes their hand—regardless of the block it finishes (single, pair, pung, or kong) and regardless of whether the hand is concealed or exposed.

Jokers may not be used as a single tile or as part of a pair (for example: 10, 234, 567789, 369, YYYY, NEWS; MJME 2024, page 24 #9), and they may not be claimed from a discard for any purpose.

Question from a player:  I need to complete a pair and have one tile. If that tile is discarded, can I claim it and expose the pair?

Answer from the NMJL:    “A player cannot claim a tile to expose a pair unless it is the final tile needed to complete Mah Jongg.” 

Sources: Mah Jongg Made Easy (2020 page 15 para 2; not in MJME 2024)

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Other answers from the NMJL:  “You can always call your 14th tile if it results in a mah jongg.”

“You can always call your 14th tile if it results in a mah jongg including a pair.”

“A discarded tile which completes a pair cannot be called for an exposure only for mah jongg.”

“A single tile can always be called for mah jongg, whether you are playing either a concealed or an exposed hand.”

“When an exposed hand contains pairs, you can never call a discarded tile and expose a pair. A discarded tile may only be called to complete a pair if the call resulted in mah jongg”

Sources for other answers:  NMJL Bulletin Q&A (1977 page 4, 1978 page 4, 1990 page 13,1989 page 5, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2018 )