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YOU CANNOT DISQUALIFY YOURSELF (Article 26)
Commentary: A player CANNOT disqualify themself from the game. If they say something like, “my hand is dead,” it will only become official if another player intervenes.
There are a couple of reasons for this rule:
- Players may manipulate the game by disqualifying themselves if they don’t like their hand or so they don’t have to discard a risky tile.
- Part of the game is to play defensively. If a player has a hand that cannot be won, they should do what they can to force a wall game (i.e., draw).
After disqualified, the player no longer participates in the game (e.g., picking, or discarding), and newly exposed tiles are returned to the sloped part of the rack. Jokers in exposures completed before disqualification are eligible for exchange. The game continues with the player to the right of the disqualified player with a pick from the wall.
Sometimes, a player claims a discard that results in disqualification. If another player can declare mah jongg with that discarded tile, their win is honored.
If there is a winner, the disqualified player must pay as usual.
Question from a player: Can I call my own hand dead?
Answer from the NMJL: A player’s hand may go “dead” for a variety of reasons. A player cannot announce that their hand is “dead.” It is not officially dead until another player verifies that Mah Jongg cannot be made, based on the tiles that are visible to all players.
Source: Mah Jongg Made Easy (2024; page 19 #15)
Other answers from the NMJL:
“A player should never announce their hand is dead. It gives their opponents more picks and a greater chance to win the game. They should continue to play the game defensively until someone else calls their hand dead. If you announce your hand dead, it isn’t official until another player verifies that mah jongg can’t be made.”
“You do not have to announce that your hand is incorrect. However, if any of your opponents notice your error, then you immediately stop picking and discarding. In either case, you cannot mah jongg. Bettor pays the same as the player bet on.
“You do not have to announce that your hand is incorrect. However, if any of your opponents notice your error, then you immediately stop picking and discarding.”
“You do not have to announce that your hand is incorrect. However, if any of your opponents notice your error, then you immediately stop picking and discarding. In either case, you cannot mah jongg.”
“You do not have to announce that your hand is incorrect. However, if any of your opponents notice your error, then you immediately stop picking and discarding.”
“There is no advantage in announcing that your hand is incorrect. You continue to play. However, if any of the other three players notice, then you must discontinue picking and discarding.”
“A player cannot and should not decide to declare their own hand dead. There certainly is no advantage. You would be giving more picks to the other three players. Your “finesse” playing can be to your advantage – wall game.”
“A player should never call their own hand dead. By doing so, the other three players now become entitled to more picks, thus giving them a great chance to make mah jongg. Always wait until another player declares your hand dead.”
“We recommend that a player should not declare their own hand dead. Even if the hand actually is dead, the player should continue to play defensively until someone else calls the hand dead. If you announce that your hand is dead, it is not officially dead until another player verifies that mah jongg cannot be made. Verification can be made only when an exposed hand is being played and another player can deem the hand dead, based on the fact that certain tiles have been discarded or have been called for exposure.”
Source for other answers: National Mah Jongg League Bulletin Q&A (1967 page 4, 1968 page 4, 1969 page 4, 1971 page 4, 1972 page 4, 1973 page 4, 1974 page 4, 1976 page 4, 1981 page 4, 1987 page 4, 1990 page 5, 1991 page 5, 1997 page 6, 1998 page 6, 2000 page 5, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021) https://www.nationalmahjonggleague.org