PROPER PLACEMENT OF TILES WHILE PLAYING (Article 168)

Commentary: During the Charleston, concealed tiles belong on the sloped portion of the rack and exposures on the flat portion. Tiles being passed or rearranged are temporarily in motion and should not be considered improperly placed simply because they are not touching the rack. Once the Charleston is complete, keep tiles in or on the rack.

The flat portion of the rack is intended for exposures. In Mah Jongg Made Easy, the League says, “When a tile is called for an exposure, the tiles in the exposure are placed on top of the rack, face up. When Mah Jongg has been declared, the completed hand is also exposed on top of the rack for verification (MJME 2024 page 9).”

The guidelines also state that when a player claims a discard for an exposure, the completed Pung, Kong, Quint, or Sextet must be placed on top of the rack in front of the player for all to see. Some players use the flat portion for discards or option tiles instead. While no written rule expressly prohibits these practices, they are not identified as an intended use of the rack.

When making an exposure, players sometimes turn the tiles outward before placing them on the rack so opponents can see them. This is awkward and unnecessary. Place the exposure on the flat portion of the rack with the tiles facing inward, where you can easily see and manage your own hand. The tiles are still visible to the other players; “for all to see” does not require them to face outward.

The rules do not specify that exposed tiles must lie flat rather than stand upright, nor do they require a particular tile orientation. The distinction is between concealed tiles on the sloped portion of the rack and exposures on the flat portion of the rack.

Question from a Player: If a player has tiles on their card when playing a hand, can another player call their hand dead? 

Answer from the NMJL: Thirteen tiles must be either in or on your rack at all times. This includes the exposed part of the hand. 

Source:   Mah Jongg Made Easy (2024, pages 14- 15)