HOPTOI’S RELEASE NOTES FOR MAH JONGG MADE EASY 2024 (ARTICLE 226)

All wiki articles that have been affected by the new edition of Mah Jongg Made Easy (2024; MJME – official guidebook) have been updated. The following is my commentary on the most significant changes and omissions players should be aware of.

The Card

The league says that “once all players have the correct number of tiles, these tiles may be placed on the sloped portion of the rack.” This way, if there is a misdeal, there will be no hard feelings (MJME page 10 paragraph 1). Wiki: EAST DOES NOT DEAL THE TILES (Article 194)

The Preliminaries

To protect the integrity of the game, dice are used to break the wall so the deal starts in a random place (MJME page 9, BUILDING AND BREAKING OF THE WALL AND USE OF DICE paragraph 2). Wiki: ROLLING THE DICE TO BREAK THE WALL (Article 148)

After East rolls the dice to break the wall, the players take tiles in groups of four until they each have 12. Then, East takes the top 1&3 and the other players take one each. At this point, there is a short wall left in front of East’s rack. The tiles are to be kept to the right so it is a continuation from the end of the third wall. In other words, East should not move those tiles to the far left or the center of their rack (MJME page 9, BUILDING AND BREAKING OF THE WALL AND USE OF DICE paragraph 1). Wiki: PLACEMENT OF THE BROKEN WALL (ARTICLE 11)

There may be confusion with this wording, “The game does not officially begin until East throws the first tile. If a player other than East discards the first tile, they may take it back and East then proceeds to throw the first tile and begin the game. However, if a player other than East picks from the wall and discards the first tile, play cannot continue. The tiles are thrown in and a new game has begun (MJME 2024 page 14).” I have never heard of this happening so I’m not sure why they added this sentence but it seems they have.

Omissions:

All tiles must be turned face down and thoroughly mixed before the game starts (MJME page 18 #1).
No looking ahead. Players are not permitted to pick the fourteenth tile from the wall before the player to the left discards a tile (MJME page 18 #2).

During play, after East’s wall has been depleted, the player to the left pushes out their wall. Picking from the Walls goes to the left. PLAY TO THE RIGHT, PICK FROM THE LEFT (MJME 2020 page 11).

The Charleston

The league uses the word “steal” when describing the last pass of each round of the Charleston but they call it a “blind pass” and emphasize that players must not look at the tiles (MJME 2024 page 12; repeated for Round 2 3rd Pass/LAST RIGHT). Wiki: EXERCISING CHARLESTON OPTIONS (ARTICLE 218)

The league also describes how to use the IOU method when multiple players want to pass blind, “In the event that all players want to do a “Blind Pass,” the player with the greatest number of tiles to pass begins by passing 1 or 2 tiles and says to the next player “I.O.U.” Each player repeats the same thing, with the first player who passed picking up the last pass of that Charleston and making good to the player to whom they owe a tile or tiles. In the unlikely event that no one has a tile to pass, then the Charleston ceases and play begins, and says to the next player “I.O.U.” Each player repeats the same thing, with the first player who passed picking up the last pass of that Charleston and making good to the player to whom they owe a tile or tiles. In the unlikely event that no one has a tile to pass, then the Charleston ceases and play begins” (MJME 2024 page 13). Wiki: THE IOU – WHEN MULTIPLE PLAYERS WANT TO PASS BLIND (ARTICLE 152)

Jokers can not be passed and if it happens, it must be given back to the player who passed it (MJME 2024 page 14 bullet 3). Wiki: PASSING A JOKER IN THE CHARLESTON (ARTICLE 133)

The league recommends that each player count their tiles after the Charleston and before East discards the first tile to start the game. If any player has the wrong number of tiles, the tiles should be thrown in. The only exception is if the player to the right of East (i.e., fourth player, North) forgets to take their 13th tile, they can take it so they have the right number of tiles (MJME 2024 page 14 bullet #1 and #88). Wiki: SOMEONE HAS THE WRONG NUMBER OF TILES BEFORE EAST’S FIRST DISCARD (Article 36)

I have not seen a frequently asked question on this but the league added, “The game does not officially begin until East throws the first tile. If a player other than East discards the first tile, they may take it back and East then proceeds to throw the first tile and begin the game. However, if a player other than East picks from the wall and discards the first tile, play cannot continue. The tiles are thrown in and a new game has begun” (MJME 2024 page 14 bullet 9). Wiki: A PLAYER THINKING THEY ARE EAST DISCARDS FIRST (Article 161)

There is a new qualifier regarding when a player can stop the second Charleston, “If any player objects, the second Charleston is not played. The second Charleston may be stopped as long as no player has looked at the tiles being passed to them (MJME 2024). Previously, the qualifier was, “If one or more players have put down their pass, but no one has picked up the second left pass, then it is permissible to stop the Charleston” (NMJL Bulletin 2023).

The Play

Everything in the game goes counterclockwise except the walls are pushed out in clockwise order.  Even though this was omitted in MJME 2024, it still holds. Wiki: SETTING UP A GAME (ARTICLE 143)

After a player discards a tile, another player must verbalize their intent by saying something (i.e., call, take, I want that) so other players know they want to use it. They are committed to using that discard if it is either placed on top of the rack or tiles have been exposed from their hand ( MJME 2024 page 15).  Wiki: CLAIMING A DISCARD MUST BE VERBALIZED (Article 57)

There is a new rule for where to place a called tile, “A tile that is called for either an exposure or for mah jongg must be placed on the top of the rack (MJME 2024). Per the league, “We have always suggested that a called tile be placed on the top of the rack, rather than in the rack iteslf. We decided to make this an office rule, although there is no penalty incurred for incorrect placement. Players should place the called tile on top of the rack, but the player is not called “dead” for not doing so, as in many tourhaments. We felt this penalty is to severe for home play. As you know, “table rules” supercede NMJL rules, so if the members of your game wish to amend the rules, you may (NMJL Bulletin 2024).”

If you like to sort tiles or prioritize discards on your card, break that habit because it’s now against the rules and you could be disqualified from the game. The league says, “Thirteen tiles must be either in or on your rack at all times (MJME 2024 page 16 #1). Wiki: PROPER PLACEMENT OF TILES WHILE PLAYING (Article 168)

The commitment to discarding a tile has been clarified. The league says, “Once a tile is fully named or touches the table the discarder cannot take it back and may not use it for a Joker exchange” (MJME 2024 page 17 #4). Wiki: COMMITMENT TO DISCARDING A TILE (Article 18)

The league has finally said that “A player CANNOT announce that their hand is “dead.” It is not officially dead until another player verifies that Mah Jongg cannot be made, based on the tiles that are visible to all players” (MJME page 19 #15). Wiki: YOU CANNOT DISQUALIFY YOURSELF (Article 26)

The conditions for calling the previous discard have been clarified:

• After the player to the right of the discarder has drawn a tile from the wall and racked or discarded it. A racked tile is defined as a tile that has been placed on the sloped part of the rack along with the player’s other tiles. Tapping or clicking the rack with the tile is not considered racking
• If another player is making a Joker exchange
• If another player has declared mah jongg Wiki: TWO PLAYERS DECLARE MAH JONGG, ONE WITH A PICK FROM THE WALL AND ONE FOR THE LAST DISCARD (ARTICLE 223)

This is also called the “window of opportunity” (MJME 2024 page 17 #8) Wiki: WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LAST DISCARD (Article 107)

When two players want the same discard, one for an exposure and one for mah jongg, the player with mah jongg gets the tile even when the caller for an exposure has exposed tiles (MJME 2024 page 18 #10 [e]). This has nothing to do with prior exposures.

When two players want the same discard for the same reason,

• For exposures, the player next in turn to the discarder has preference except when the other caller has exposed tile(s) Wiki: SIMULTANEOUS CALL FOR EXPOSURE (Article 93)
• For mah jongg, the player next in turn to the discarder has preference, except when the other caller has exposed tile(s) Wiki: TWO PLAYERS CALL FOR MAH JONGG (Article 92); TWO PLAYERS DECLARE MAH JONGG, ONE WITH A PICK FROM THE WALL AND ONE FOR THE LAST DISCARD (ARTICLE 223)
• For simultaneous calls or call/rack, the player next in turn gets preference Wiki: SIMULTANEOUS PICK & RACK WITH A CALL FOR A DISCARD (ARTICLE 91)

This is also called simultaneous situations or concurrent interest (MJME page 18 #10). Dig deeper: Simultaneous Calls Wiki Collection

Commitment

When a player calls a discard to make an exposure, they are committed to completing the exposure if they have either placed the discard on the flat part of the rack or exposed tiles from the sloped part of the rack. The league has also said, “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 (NMJL Bulletin 2024).”

Furthermore, i”f a player declares Mah Jongg on a discard and places the discard on top of their rack or exposes tiles from their rack, and then finds they do not actually have Mah Jongg, they may change their declaration of Mah Jongg to a call for exposure. The game continues without penalty (MJME 2024 page 21 #3).” We can assume the league means the tiles that were exposed were for the called tile only because elsewhere they use the phrase, “the hand” and “part or all of the hand” (MJME 2024 page 21 paragraph 1 and page 22 4[a]).

These wiki articles may be helpful:

• COMMITMENT TO CLAIMING A DISCARD WITH EXPOSURES (Article 177)
• COMMITMENT TO CLAIMING A DISCARD WITHOUT RACKING OR EXPOSING TILES (Article 21)
• CHANGING AN EXPOSURE (Article 6)

You are committed to discarding a tile once it is fully named or the tile has touched the table (MJME 2024 page 18 #14) Wiki: COMMITMENT TO DISCARDING A TILE (ARTICLE 18)

Special Rulings for the use of Flowers (omission; MJME 2020 page 24)

• Flowers are used to complete a definite pattern of a hand.
• Flowers may be passed during the Charleston.
• Flowers may be discarded at any time during the play and called “Flower”; however, the discarder must be cautious because another player may be in a position to call this Flower for an exposure or Mah Jongg.

Special Rulings for the Use of Jokers

Dig deeper: Joker Wiki Collection; also see JOKER PROTOCOLS (ARTICLE 221)

There may be confusion with this wording, “If an incorrect exposure results in a “dead” hand, but it is not realized until later in a game, Jokers in that exposure are not still available for redemption, until the hand has been called “dead (MJME page 24 #18).” If a player has an invalid exposure with a joker or if their hand is no longer viable but the player has not been disqualified by another player, the joker is eligible for exchange. When a player has an invalid exposure with a joker and is disqualified by another player, the invalid exposure(s) must be returned to the sloped part of the rack (MJME 2024 page 24).

Omissions:

Regardless of what the discarded Joker is called, it may not be taken/called for any reason whatsoever (MJME 2020 page 23 #12).

No Jokers exposed prior to a concealed hand being declared “dead” are redeemable, since they were part of an incorrect exposure (MJME 2020 page 24 #21).

Disqualifications

Reasons for Disqualification

Per the league, a player CANNOT disqualify themself. It is the responsibility of another player to disqualify another player for these infractions (MJME 2024 page 19 #15) Wiki: YOU CANNOT DISQUALIFY YOURSELF (ARTICLE 26). For a comprehensive list, see REASONS TO DISQUALIFY ANOTHER PLAYER (Article 24)

Contested Disqualification

Any player can question or comment on whether another player has an unplayable hand and the other players should not get involved. The player being challenged should either concede and stop playing or contest the disqualification without revealing information about their hand. They continue to play as normal. At the end of the game, the players involved plead their case and the wrong player pays the other 50 points/cents (MJME 2024 page 21 #19-20). Wiki: DEAD HAND DECLARATION CONTESTED (ARTICLE 160)

Omission:

If a player discards a tile that was claimed for Mah Jongg, but went out of turn, the game stops. The discarder pays 4x’s the value of the hand to the winner. If claimed for an exposure the call is honored and the game continues (MJME 2020 page 21 #16).

Mah Jongg In Error

If a player declares Mah Jongg on a discard and places the discard on top of their rack or exposes tiles from their rack, and then finds they do not have Mah Jongg, they may change their declaration of Mah Jongg to a call for exposure. The game continues without penalty (MJME page 21 #3).

When a player declares Mah Jongg in error and has been playing a concealed hand, no Jokers may be redeemed, and the entire hand is returned to the sloped portion of the rack (MJME page 22 #4 [b]).

Omissions:

If a player calls Mah Jongg in error and exposes part or all of the hand and all other hands are intact, the game continues but the declarer’s hand is “dead,” and all tiles are returned to the rack. The same penalty applies for calling a discard and making an incorrect exposure (MJME 3020 page 16 #3[a] first sentence included for context).

If an incorrect exposure is made, the hand may be declared “dead” by any of the other three players. Bettor must remain silent. If the exposure goes unnoticed, the erring player should not announce it and continues to play. Of course, Mah Jongg cannot be made (MJME page 20 #14).

Dig deeper: Mah Jongg in Error Wiki Collection

Playing with a Bettor

When dealing the tiles, “Four walls are built. The three players draw tiles from the wall, four at a time, until everyone has twelve tiles. Wall without a player does not draw any tiles. Each player then picks one tile in turn, for a total of 13 tiles, with East then picking a 14th tile from the wall. The Charleston is omitted, and East starts the game by discarding the first tile.” (MJME 2024). Disregard the process as described in the NMJL Bulletin 2024.

There is an error in the section that describes payment when a player winds by discard. The league says, “If Bettor bets on a player who Mah Jonggs on a tile discarded by another player, only the discarder pays double the value of the hand. The declarer shares their winnings with the Bettor. Other players pay single value.” To clarify, when a player declares mah jongg and the bettor picks that player, they are both rewarded with the same payment. (MJME page 25 #9[b]).

There is an added rule that stipulates that the bettor gets paid or pays just like the player they bet on with one exception. When three disqualified players not resulting from mah jongg in error (i.e., cascading errors) leaving one player with an intact hand, no one gets paid (MJME page 25 #9[b] and page 22 #5e]).

Omission:

Bettor should not make any correction until Mah Jongg has been declared, verified, and paid by all players. (MJME 2020 page 25).

Dig deeper: Playing with a Bettor Wiki Collection

The NMJL added a glossary at the back of the guidebook. For a digital version with shared terms, see Glossary (Article 999).

There are still rulings from bulletins and letters from players that are not in Mah Jongg Made Easy. Dig deeper: Rules not in Mah Jongg Made Easy