DEAD HAND DECLARATION CONTESTED (Article 160)

Commentary: When a player has exposures that indicate a specific hand, and it can be proven that all remaining tiles needed to complete that hand are out of play (e.g., discarded or exposed in ways that jokers cannot replace), the player may be disqualified. If the player concedes, they stop playing immediately. If the player contests the disqualification, the game continues as usual. At the end of the game, both players present their case. The erring player pays the challenger 50 points.

Question from a player: My hand was declared dead by another player but my hand was not dead. Is there a penalty for the other player?

Answer from the NMJL: If a player declares another player’s hand “dead” (and the player whose hand has been called “dead” disagrees) at the end of the game, the challenge is resolved. Whichever player was incorrect at the time of the challenge, pays the other player 50 cents in addition to the value paid to player who has made Mah Jongg.

Source: Mah Jongg Made Easy (2024 page 21 #21)