CLAIMING A DISCARD TO COMPLETE AN EXPOSURE (Article 16)

Commentary: Mah jongg is a 14-tile pick-and-discard or meld-and-discard game, so players can choose to keep their tiles concealed, or they can claim discards to complete a block of three or more identical tiles (e.g., pung, kong; exposure; Mah Jongg Made Easy 2024, pgs 14-15). Players should check the type of hand they are playing before claiming their first discard. The right margin of each panel on an American mah jongg card has an “X” or a “C” for each hand. If a “C” is in the right margin, the hand must be developed only by picking tiles from the wall until it’s ready to win. If there is an “X” in the right margin, the hand can be developed similarly, but a player can also choose to claim discards to complete a block of three or more identical tiles (e.g., pung, kong). 

Exposing tiles after picking a tile from the wall is not part of the official procedure established by the National Mah Jongg League. This is prohibited because players can only expose tiles by verbally claiming a discard to complete an exposure. When a player draws a tile from the wall, they simply add it to their concealed hand and decide whether to discard it or keep it. While exposing tiles after picking a tile from the wall is not the official procedure, there is no penalty for doing so, though it may go against the strategic flow of the game. Consider that staying concealed keeps you under the radar of observant opponents who can determine what you are playing to thwart your hand development progress.

The primary purpose of claiming discards is to expedite hand development, but this also reveals valuable information that opponents can use to their advantage. It is best practice to place the claimed discard on the rack’s flat part to ensure the correct tile is being used before exposing the rest of the tiles from the sloped part of the rack (MJME 2024 page 12 Choosing a Hand). Claiming a tile can sometimes cause other players to have their turns skipped. When this happens, the game continues with the next player to the right (MJME 2024 page 14 The Play).

Question from a player:   If I am playing a hand with an “X” can I claim a discard to complete a block of tiles?

Answer from the NMJL:  The hands are clearly marked “C” for concealed, “X” for exposed and the value to be paid for each hand. An exposure is three of a kind (Pung), four of a kind (Kong), five of a kind (Quint) or six of a kind (Sextet).

Source:   Mah Jongg Made Easy (2024 page 12 and 14)