PLAYER ROTATION (Article 71)

Commentary: The league recommends a seat rotation to keep a four-player game fresh. East rolls the dice to break the wall, then the dice are given to the player on the right, and so on. When the dice return to East after four games, East (i.e., pivot for the day) keeps the dice and switches seats with the player on their right. This continues for the rest of the playing session.

There are other methods for larger groups. The player rotation depends on the number of players and the number of one-hour rounds in the session. Do the player rotation on the hour regardless of the method.

Seat Swap Method (4 hours, 8 players)

• Round 1, East/player 1 switch tables
• Round 2, South/player 2 switch tables
• Round 3, West/player 3 switch tables
• Round 4, North/player 4 switch tables

Random Pull Method (any duration, any number of players)

• Name a table by assigning a tile
• At one table, use the tiles to randomize seating
• Pull the number of the assigned tiles based on how players will be seated
• Place the tiles upside down and mix them 
• Players pick a tile to determine where they will sit

Example for 11 players:

• Table 1/Red dragon (4 players, 4 red dragons) 
• Table 2/Green dragon (4 players, 4 green dragons) 
• Table 3/White dragon (3 players, 3 white dragons)

Standard Tournament Method (4 hours, 16 players; number the tables 1-4)

• Round 1, East/player 1 states seated 
• Round 2, South/player 2 moves up one
• Round 3, West/player 3 moves down one
• Round 4, North/player 4 moves down two 

Question from a player: How do we exchange seats when we are playing a four-handed game?

Answer from the NMJL: When playing a four-handed game, there is no Bettor. To change the passing and picking in a four-handed game, the following method is used: The original East is “pivot” for the day. After each round, which consists of four games, the pivot who is the original East, changes seats with the player to the right. The pivot takes the dice to the new seat. After four more hands are played, the same procedure is repeated, with the pivot taking the dice, changing seats with the player on the right, and once again becoming East. This pattern continues throughout the game.

Source: Mah Jongg Made Easy (2024 page 27, paragraph 1)