LINE OF SIGHT ON A CLAIMED DISCARD (Article 240)

Commentary: When a player claims a discard to complete an exposure or declare mah jongg, they must place it on the flat part of their rack (NMJL Bulletin 2024). This keeps a line of sight to the tile. In Mah Jongg Made Easy (2024 pg 15, para 2), the league uses the word, “should.” This is probably why there is no penalty for breaking the rule.

Incidentally, exposing tiles from the sloped part of the rack before placing the claimed discard on the flat part of the rack is permissible.

Wall Picks Are Different from Claimed Discards

The line-of-sight requirement applies to claimed discards, not tiles picked from the wall. When a player claims a discard, they must place the tile on the flat portion of the rack so other players can see which tile was claimed.

A tile picked from the wall is different. It is drawn unseen and becomes part of the player’s concealed hand. The player may place it in the sloped portion of the rack with their other tiles.

If the picked tile completes a hand, the player may rack it and then declare mah jongg. There is no League requirement to place a wall-picked tile on the flat portion of the rack before declaring mah jongg, and doing otherwise is not grounds for disqualification.

The distinction is the source of the tile, not whether the player intends to declare mah jongg.

Question from a player: After I call a discarded tile, does it matter where I put it?

Answer from the league: A called tile should be placed on top of the rack and not in the rack. It is preferable to place the called tile on top of your rack before taking the tiles from your rack to make the exposure. Once an exposure has been made, a player may add to or take away from the exposure up until the time the player has discarded.

Source: Mah Jongg Made Easy (2024 page 15 para 2); NMJL Bulletin 2024