5TH PLAYER BETS ON EAST WITH AN EARTHLY HAND (Article 140)

Commentary: East has one advantage, they are dealt 14 tiles which is one more than the other players. After the Charleston, the advantage evens out because East discards to start the game. Although it is rare, East can have a winning hand before the Charleston! This is called an Earthly Hand. If East has a winning hand after the first Charleston or at the end of the Charleston, it’s called an Earthly Hand. Either way, the value of the hand is doubled to be paid by the other players.

Question from a player:   Does the bettor get paid if they bet on East and East has a winning hand after the Charleston? 

Answer from the NMJL:  If a bettor is lucky enough to have bet on East, and East ends up with an Earthly Hand, they are paid the same value as paid out by all other players. 

Source:   Mah Jongg Made Easy (2024 page 25 #8)