NO PENALTY FOR DISCARDING TO A SURE-WIN (Article 203)

Commentary: Each player can continue hand development with keepers from the wall or calls for exposures. Since any discard that is risky (i.e., less than three visible) increases in risk the longer it is held, it behooves each player to discard the tiles that have the greatest risk (i.e., no tiles visible) if they are playing to win. Sometimes the discard results in an exposure or mah jongg but sometimes other players have not had the chance to develop their hand to the point when they can act. If someone is playing to win and they defer discarding risky tiles, they give their opponents more time for hand development which may allow them to act on that risky discard being held for later in the game.

Some groups are more competitive than others and many times they play with a house rule with a sure-win penalty for the discarder to ensure a more defensive game. The discarder must pay for the table and/or pay out of their purse if:

• A player declares mah jongg when they already have three exposures.
• A player declares mah jongg when they already have one or two exposures that indicate a certain hand.
• A player declares mah jongg and three of their winning tile are not accounted for in an exposure or discard pile.

The league recommends that a player break up their hand to block other players from winning in these cases. There is no change to the payout if someone wins.

Question from a Player: I discarded a tile and another player with three exposures declared mah jongg. They said I had to pay for the table. Is that a rule?

Answer from the NMJL:  We suggest that a player not throw a tile that is obviously needed by another player. Defensive play is recommended.

Source:  Mah Jongg Made Easy page (2024 page 30)

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Other answers from the NMJL:

“There is no set rule for “dogging”.  Discretion on the part of the player must be used.  Discards and exposures must be taken into consideration.  Also, the shorter the wall, the more reason for careful “dogging”.  A player discards only tiles that are obviously not needed by any player.  Very often a player will break up their own hand in order to discard safe tiles.  It is important to remember while trying to complete your hand that it is just as important to prevent the other players from completing their hands.”  

 “Most of the skill in playing Mah Jongg depends upon the ability to play a good defensive game.  If a hand does not improve rapidly during the play and a large portion of the wall is exhausted, a player should break up their own hand and discard tiles that are useless to the other players.  This is called “dogging” tiles.”

Sources for other answers: Mah Jongg Made Easy page (2020 page 18); National Mah Jongg League Bulletin (1983, 1984, 1986, 1999 page 5, 2000 page 6)