WINNING PLAYER ANNOUNCES THE HAND VALUE (Article 72) 

Commentary: After a player declares mah jongg, it is their responsibility to announce the value of the hand. Then, the other players validate the hand and pay the winner. If it is later determined that the hand has a higher value, no backsies!

Question from a player:  Must a player announce that she has a hand without jokers? 
 
Answer from the NMJL:  Players must announce the value of their own hand. A player’s score does not change if another player calls attention to the fact that the hand could be rearranged at a higher value. The player is only entitled to the value they have announced. 

Source:  Mah Jongg Made Easy (2024 page 30 paragraph 10)

Other answers from the NMJL:  “A player must announce the value of her own hand.  If another player calls her attention to the fact that her hand is jokerless and should be paid double, she is only entitled to the limit she has called for.” 
 
“A player must announce the value of her own hand.  If another player calls her attention to the fact that her hand could be rearranged at a higher value or that she has a jokerless hand and should be paid double, she is only entitled to the limit she has called for.” 
 
“When declaring mah jongg, a player must announce the value of the hand. If another player calls attention to the fact that the hand could be rearranged at a high value or that player has a jokerless hand and should be paid a higher value, the player is only entitled to the limit called for.” 
 
“If a player declares mah jongg on a jokerless hand, she must announce it as jokerless in order to collect double value.” 
 
“If a player declares mah jongg without jokers, she/he must announce her/his hand is jokerless and player is entitled to the bonus.” 
 
“If a player declares mah jongg without jokers, she/he must announce it as jokerless.  If not announced, the player would not be entitled to the bonus.”  

Sources for other answers:  National Mah Jongg League Bulletin Q&A (1967 page 5, 1968 page 5, 1969 page 4, 1971 page 4, 1972 page 5, 1979 page 4, 1981 page 5, 1982 page 3, 1984, 1987 page 4, 1991 page 5, 1995 page 5, 1996 page 5, 1997 page 5, 2004, 2005, 2011, 2012,  2014)