TAPPING VS RACKING (Article 2)

Commentary:  When players pick a tile from the wall, they are not required to rack it. The best practice is to place the picked tile in the sloped part of the rack with the other concealed tiles. This is called “racking,” and it is the moment when the window of opportunity closes to call the last discard. Tapping or clicking a picked tile on a rack is a shortcut practiced by many players. This practice leaves the window of opportunity open for calling the last discard until the picked tile has either touched the table or been fully named. Sloperama has a helpful diagram: https://sloperama.com/mjfaq/mjfaq19.html#ad

Question from a player:  When is a tile considered “racked”? 
 
Answer from the NMJL:   “A racked tile is defined as a tile that has been placed on the sloped part of the rack along with the players other tiles. Tapping or clicking the rack with the tile is not considered racking.“

Source:   Mah Jongg Made Easy (2024 page 17 8(a)

Another answer from the NMJL:

” A tile is considered to be racked when it is sitting in the sloped area of the rack, along with a player’s other tiles.  Tapping or clicking the tile is not racking, nor is it considered racked if it is merely touching any other part of your rack.”  
 
“Once a tile is covered by the next discard it cannot be recalled for either exposure or mah jongg.”

“Once a discarded tile is covered by the next discard, it cannot be called for either mah jongg or for exposure.”

“Once a tile is covered by another discard, it is too late to call the previous tile.  There are no exceptions to a joker following a discard.”

“Once a discarded tile is covered by another discard (even if the discard is a joker), it is too late to call the previous 3 Crack.”

“Until a player has either racked or discarded a picked tile, the previous thrown tile is eligible to be called.  The drawn tile should be put back for the next player to pick.”

“A tile may not be claimed for exposure or mah jongg after player next in turn has picked and racked or discarded a tile.” 

Sources for other answers:  National Mah Jongg League Bulletin Q&A (1976 page 3, 1977 page 4, 1978 page 4, 1979 page 3, 1981 page 5, 1998 page 5, 1990 page 5, 1995 page 5, 2000 page 6, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2014,) https://www.nationalmahjonggleague.org