JOKER EXCHANGE MISTAKE CAN BE CORRECTED (ARTICLE 224)

Commentary: If a player exchanges a joker with the wrong tile, resulting in an incorrect exposure, the next step depends on timing. If the mistake is caught before the current player discards, the exposure can be fixed without penalty. If the current player discards, the player with the incorrect exposure can be disqualified.

NOTE: The question from the player in the bulletin has a typo because the only hand that spans from 3-8 is a Singles-Pairs #5, and jokers can’t be used, so it must have been a 6 crak. Shout-out to Dottie McCarthy Tieghe for calling attention to this!

Question from a player: Player B received an 8 crak during a joker exchange, though she called for a 3 crak. She realized the mistake. Player A who passed the 8 crak had a 3 crak in yer rack. Player B with the exposure had not yet discarded. Is Player A allowed to take back the 8 crak and give the correct 3 crak to Player B, so that a proper joker exchange can be made?

Answer from the league: If a player replaces a Joker with an incorrect tile leading to an incorrect exposure, and it is not noticed before a discard is made, then the player with the incorrect exposure is “dead.” If it is noticed before a discard is made, the error may be corrected with no penalty.

Source: Mah Jongg Made Easy (2024 page 24 #14)

Other answers from the NMJL: If a player replaces a Joker with an incorrect tile leading to an incorrect exposure, and it is not noticed before a discard is made, then the player with the incorrect exposure is “dead.” If it is noticed before a discard is made, the error may be corrected with no penalty.

Yes, the correct tile can be given to Player B, as long as [they] have not discarded yet.

Source for other answers: National Mah Jongg League Bulletin Q&A (2024 #10)