COMMITMENT TO CLAIMING A DISCARD WITHOUT RACKING OR EXPOSING TILES (Article 21)

Commentary:  In social play, a player may change their mind after calling a discard if they have not yet exposed tiles on the flat part of their rack and have not placed the called tile on either the flat or sloped part of their rack. While it is preferred that the called tile be placed on the flat part of the rack, there is currently no penalty for placing it on the sloped section. Notably, the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) appears to treat the terms “placed” and “completely laid down” as synonymous (NMJL 2024 bulletin).

Incidently, tournament rules are not standardized across all events. Each tournament director has the discretion to interpret and apply NMJL guidelines based on their understanding, preferences, and governing principles. As a result, expectations around tile placement and commitment may vary from one tournament to another.

Question from a player:  If a person calls for a discarded tile and pick it up but does not put it completely down on top of the rack, can she say “no I changed my mind” and return it to the table?

Answer from the league: A player may change their mind about calling for a discarded tile as long as it is not placed completely on top of their rack. The tile is returned to the table and the player may then pick the next tile from the appropriate wall.

Source:  Mah Jongg Made Easy (2024 page 31 partially); NMJL bulletin 2024

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Other answers from the NMJL:  

“You are committed to a call when you have either exposed tiles from your hand or placed the called tile on top of your rack.” NMJL letter to a player (2023)

“As long as the discarded tile was not placed on or in the caller’s rack, it may be returned to the table and the game results, with the caller now picking a tile from the wall in the center of the board.”

“Once a player starts to make an exposure, her commitment is made.”

“Saying “call” or picking up a called tile is not a commitment and a player may change their mind. A player is committed to a call once tiles have been exposed on the rack or the called tile has been placed on or in the rack.”

Source for other answers:  National Mah Jongg League Bulletin (1997 page 6, 2015, 2017, 2020)