WALL GAME (Article 137)

Abstract:  A wall game (i.e., draw) occurs when all tiles for picking have been depleted and no one has declared mah jongg. Towards the end of the wall, many players will break up their hand to discard as defensively as possible. The league calls this “dogging.”  

Question from a player:   We cannot understand why we have so many wall games?

Answer from the NMJL: When all of the tiles have been picked and discarded and no player has declared Mah Jongg, this is called a “Wall Game.” While you are trying to complete your hand, remember it is just as important to prevent the other players from completing their hands. YOU CANNOT MAH JONGG SECOND.

Source: Mah Jongg Made Easy (2024 page 15-16, Wall Game and Playing Defensively)

Other answers from the NMJL:

Most of the skill in playing Mah Jongg depends upon the ability to play a good defensive game. If a hand does not improve rapidly during the play and a large portion of the wall is exhausted, a player should break up their own hand and discard tiles that are useless to the other players. This is called “dogging” tiles.

“There is no set rule for dogging. Discretion on the part of the player must be used. Discards and exposures must be taken into consideration. Also, the shorter the wall, the more reason for careful dogging. A player discards only tiles that are obviously not needed by any player. Very often a player will break up their own hand  in order to discard safe tiles. It is important to remember while trying to complete your hand that it is just as important to prevent the other players from completing their hand.”

Source for other answers:   National Mah Jongg League (1984)