RACKING A PICKED TILE IS NOT MANDATORY (Article 10)

Commentary: When a player picks a tile from the wall, they are not required to rack it—they can pick and discard, pick and request a joker exchange, or pick and rack. The one exception is if they want to exchange a joker with one of their concealed tiles: the picked tile must be racked first, or the player will be left with fewer than 13 tiles and may be disqualified (MJME 2024, p. 16, #1).

If a player uses an incorrect tile when exchanging a joker and results in an incorrect exposure, the mistake can be corrected without penalty if the player has not discarded. If it goes unnoticed and the player discards, the player with the incorrect exposure can be disqualified.

Another consideration on this topic is the WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LAST DISCARD (Article 107).

Question from a player: Is a player required to rack a picked tile from the wall?

Answer from the League: Racking is not mandatory, although recommended after a player has picked a tile. The tile previously thrown is still ‘in play’ and may be called until the picked tile has been placed in the sloped portion of their rack or has been named and discarded.

Sources: Mah Jongg Made Easy (2020 page 21, #18); National Mah Jongg League Bulletin (2022)

---