TWO PLAYERS WANT THE SAME DISCARD FOR MAH JONGG (Article 92)

Commentary: When multiple players claim the same discard for the same reason, the player next in turn has priority. It doesn’t matter who called mah jongg first.

The exception, explained in Mah Jongg Made Easy (page 13) and on the back of the NMJL card (#7), applies when the next player in turn isn’t paying attention and another player has already racked the claimed discard or exposed tiles from their hand. At that point, the player next in turn can no longer claim the discard.

Exposed tiles from earlier turns do not override the next player’s priority.

Any player who rushes to expose tiles in either situation would exhibit poor sportsmanship. The group should discuss the ramifications of this behavior.

Incidentally, as of January 2024, when a player claims a discard, they must place it on the flat part of their rack. The kicker is that the league didn’t stipulate a penalty for placing the discard on the sloped part of the rack, so there is no accountability unless a group establishes a house rule.

Question from a player:  I called mah jongg on a discarded tile.  Just a few seconds later, the player next in turn to the discarder, also called mah jongg, on the same discarded tile.  Who is entitled to the mah jongg?

Answer from the NMJL: If two players want the same tile for Mah Jongg, the player next in turn to the discarder has preference, except when another caller has exposed tile(s).

Source:  Mah Jongg Made Easy (2024 page 20 #13)

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Other answers from the NMJL:

“Just as long as you have not exposed your hand, the player next in turn would have priority.” 
 
“If two people call a tile for mah jongg simultaneously, the person nearest in turn to the discarder gets the preference.”  

“Just as long as Player #3 had not started to make any exposure as yet, next in turn (Player #2) would be entitled to the mah jongg.”
 
Source for other answers: National Mah Jongg League Bulletin Q&A (2006, 2007, 2012, 2016, 2017)